Michael Issenberg
Michael Issenberg, Chair of Tourism Australia Board
Chair
Michael Issenberg is currently the Chairman of Tourism Australia, the Government agency responsible for promoting Australia as a business and leisure travel destination, a Director of TFE Hotels and a Director of the Star Entertainment Group, one of the leading Casino and Integrated Resort operators in Australia.
Michael is one of the most respected leaders in tourism and hospitality, with a reputation for operational excellence and the highest integrity.
As the former Chairman and CEO of Accor Asia Pacific, he led the group to more than 1250 hotels over his 26-year tenure, building a $4 billion business over 23 countries that was number one in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. With multi-national experience in the US, Australia, and Asia, he is an expert in mergers and acquisitions, having led several integrations for the Group. He is known for building strong teams and inspiring them towards a shared vision and is a lifelong champion of diversity and inclusion. He has a deep understanding of Asian cultures and the Asian consumer.
Under his leadership, Accor Asia Pacific went from the smallest contributor to the Group’s performance to the fastest-growing region, representing over 50 per cent of the global development pipeline.
Michael is a Lifetime Member of the Tourism and Transport Forum in Australia and the Cornell Hotel Society. He is a former member of the global Accor Executive Committee, and previous Chairman and Director of Reef Casino Trust and Director of the A-HTrust, with a strong understanding of public company governance. An innovator at heart, he played a pivotal role in establishing Accor Vacation Club, the region’s first points-based timeshare business.
Michael has been recognised for his vast contribution to tourism many times including an esteemed Ordre National de la Legion d’honneur and Ordre National du Mérite from the French Government. He was named Hotelier of the Year 2012, 2015 and 2020 at the Hotel Management Awards and International Hotelier of the Year 2014 at the China Hotel Investment Conference. In 2020, he was presented with the prestigious Golden Horse Award as the Annual Influential Figure of Global Cultural Tourism Industry in China.
Michael’s previous roles include Chief Executive Officer at Mirvac Hotels, Director at Horwath and Horwath and Director of Development at Merlin Properties. Michael holds a degree in Hotel Administration from Cornell University.
Michael was appointed as Tourism Australia’s Chair in October 2021.
