Senior Tourism Australia executive Rodney Harrex has been named the new Chief Executive of the South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC).

Currently based in London, Mr Harrex has headed up Tourism Australia’s UK and Northern European operations, but is due to take up the new role in early April.

State Minister for Tourism Leon Bignell described Mr Harrex’s appointment as an exciting new chapter for the SATC.

“Rodney Harrex has been working in tourism for more than 20 years and will bring to the role a thorough understanding of the industry, along with an in depth knowledge of some of our key international markets,” Mr Bignell said.

Mr Harrex said he was very excited to be taking up the role as the new Chief Executive.

“For many years I have worked alongside South Australia’s teams in Europe and Australia, and I have a good understanding of the fantastic tourism experiences the state has to market - from the wonderful wildlife of Kangaroo Island to the vibrant city of Adelaide. South Australia’s food and wine is among the best in the world and there are lots of great stories to tell about the state’s outback and coastal areas,” Mr Harrex said.