Australia’s largest hotelier and resort operator, the Mantra Group, may ruffle the Australian tourism sector with the potential appointment of its Chief as the new head of Tourism Australia.

Normally the Tourism Australia chair serves two three-year terms, however Mr South has completed one term in the top job. Carnival head Ann Sherry to leading businessman Tony Shepherd, were also said to be interested in the role of leading the nation’s tourism industry in 2015 when Mr South took over.

Image: Mr Tony South took over the role in 2015.

Former Qantas boss Geoff Dixon, former Coles chairman Rick Allert and former deputy prime minister Tim Fischer have previously chaired the body, fitting to the typical business and political figures in recent history.

One senior source has said "It’s a little bit unusual to have such a player in the role as Tourism Australia chairman." referring to Mr East.

Queensland’s Hayman Island previous operator, Kerzner International, is also expected to lose their regional sales and marketing director Anna Guillan to see her promoted to Deputy chairman.

No decision had been made on a ­successor of Mr South, with Mr East continuing to run Mantra, which has more than 20,000 hotel rooms in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and ­Hawaii.

Learn more about the Mantra Group.

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