Change in Leadership at Tourism Fiji

After four and a half years at the helm of Tourism Fiji, its Chief Executive Officer, Matt Stoeckel, announced today that he is leaving the organisation for personal reasons when his contract concludes at the end of the year.

Tourism Fiji Chairman Mr Andre Viljoen said that Fiji’s tourism industry and its trade partners would be very sorry to learn of his departure.

Mr Viljoen said, “Matt joined Tourism Fiji in June of 2016, just months after Fiji was hit by Category 5 TC Winston. Hitting the ground running is an understatement as Matt led Tourism Fiji to achieve year-on-year record results in visitor arrivals during his tenure. During this time the organisation grew from strength to strength as it expanded its operations into Singapore, China and Japan and delivered award-winning campaigns across its other international markets”.

“We respect Matt’s needs to return home to Australia and wish him and his family well. In the same breath, we are now looking towards the future of the organization. The Board of Directors have commenced the recruitment process for Tourism Fiji’s next CEO, and in time look forward to announcing the successful candidate,” added Mr Viljoen.

Permanent Secretary for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport and Tourism Fiji Board Director, Shaheen Ali, stated that Matt joined the tourism family at a time where the Fijian tourism industry needed to re-brand, and saw the organization through till today.

“Matt has been at the helm of Tourism Fiji during the pandemic, which has been the most difficult period for Fijian tourism. Leading an organization like Tourism Fiji during this time is no doubt challenging and requires strong leadership,” said Mr Ali.

In a statement today Matt Stoeckel said, “Fiji is an amazing destination in every sense, and it has been a privilege to lead Tourism Fiji and work with all our industry stakeholders and trade partners to promote it. It’s also been much more than just a job, and leaving the “Fiji family” has been a very difficult decision. However, it was time for the family to return to Australia and for me to support them in the same way they have supported me over the last four years. Fiji will always remain in my heart and can count on me to be back regularly as a visitor to the place where happiness really does find you…”!

Matt’s last day is 21 December 2020 and the organization wishes him and his family well in all his future endeavours.

About Tourism Fiji
Tourism Fiji is the destination marketing organizational arm of the Fijian government agency responsible for marketing Fiji as a visitor destination. Tourism Fiji has established a presence in eight key markets around the globe, and its activities include advertising, public relations, media initiatives, trade shows, and programs for the tourism industry and consumer promotions to better showcase Fiji.

For more information please contact:

Ellen Magnus
Tourism Fiji
Communications Coordinator
Mobile: (679) 7777912
Work: (679) 6722433
Email: estolz@tourismfiji.com.fj

(Source; Tourism Fiji media release 21 October 2020)