news, latest-news, Australia Day awards, tourism, airline industry, charity, Hands Across Canberra
As someone closely involved in the domestic and international tourism industry for much of his working life, Allan Williams looks on the battered remains of a once-thriving business with a tinge of sadness, but also with optimism. “The past 10 months have been devastating for everyone in the tourism industry but the financially strong and resilient, companies like Qantas for instance, will survive and eventually prosper,” he said. “I am convinced the industry will bounce back over time. And when it does, there’s no doubt domestic tourism will boom. “There’s a huge pent-up demand for people to travel and if they can’t go overseas, they will travel domestically.” Now retired after a lengthy and successful career in travel, tourism, conventions and in serving the community, Mr Williams, of Forrest, was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2021 Australia Day awards for his services to business tourism and the community. Mr Williams grew up in Wynyard, on the north-west coast of Tasmania and was educated at Burnie High School. His first contact with the airline and tourism business was earning a few holiday dollars working as a casual baggage handler at the local airport. At 18 years old, he also joined the Apex young men’s service club. He says it was a decision that held him in good stead for the rest of his life. “Apex provided me with personal development skills at a young age which proved very helpful; things like impromptu public speaking, hosting and chairing meetings properly, and constructive debating,” he said. “Sadly, not enough young people get to develop these skills these days.” Mr Williams forged a career in the aviation industry firstly with the now defunct carrier TAA, then with Australian Airlines and finally with Qantas, which he described as a “great company to work for”. During six years with Qantas as a senior executive based in Los Angeles, he helped create and eventually chair the Australian Tourism Marketing Council of North America. They were heady times to be an Australian working in the tourism industry in the US and he was there when Paul Hogan’s infamous 1984 “shrimp on the barbie” tourism advertisements went to air. When Canberra became his eventual home with his wife, Janeen, and two children, he lent his considerable skills into serving the local community in various roles, supporting Karralika’s alcohol and drug programs, the Salvation Army’s Red Shield appeal, and was the inaugural chairman of the Hands Across Canberra charity foundation for five years. He was also a former chair of the Canberra Convention Bureau and the Tourism Industry Council of the ACT. “Hands Across Canberra has, I believe, made a real difference to people’s lives over the years,” he said.
/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/ZBtA3uhzm786CWHKXPpjK4/ba1f8e23-a019-4caa-af05-9e637b62befe.jpeg/r117_1361_2982_2980_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg
Allan Williams, from Forrest, who was awarded an AM for services to business tourism, and the community. Picture: Supplied
As someone closely involved in the domestic and international tourism industry for much of his working life, Allan Williams looks on the battered remains of a once-thriving business with a tinge of sadness, but also with optimism.
“The past 10 months have been devastating for everyone in the tourism industry but the financially strong and resilient, companies like Qantas for instance, will survive and eventually prosper,” he said.
“I am convinced the industry will bounce back over time. And when it does, there’s no doubt domestic tourism will boom.
“There’s a huge pent-up demand for people to travel and if they can’t go overseas, they will travel domestically.”
Now retired after a lengthy and successful career in travel, tourism, conventions and in serving the community, Mr Williams, of Forrest, was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2021 Australia Day awards for his services to business tourism and the community.
Mr Williams grew up in Wynyard, on the north-west coast of Tasmania and was educated at Burnie High School.
His first contact with the airline and tourism business was earning a few holiday dollars working as a casual baggage handler at the local airport.
I am convinced the industry will bounce back over time.
Allan Williams
At 18 years old, he also joined the Apex young men’s service club. He says it was a decision that held him in good stead for the rest of his life.
“Apex provided me with personal development skills at a young age which proved very helpful; things like impromptu public speaking, hosting and chairing meetings properly, and constructive debating,” he said.
“Sadly, not enough young people get to develop these skills these days.”
Mr Williams forged a career in the aviation industry firstly with the now defunct carrier TAA, then with Australian Airlines and finally with Qantas, which he described as a “great company to work for”.
During six years with Qantas as a senior executive based in Los Angeles, he helped create and eventually chair the Australian Tourism Marketing Council of North America.
They were heady times to be an Australian working in the tourism industry in the US and he was there when Paul Hogan’s infamous 1984 “shrimp on the barbie” tourism advertisements went to air.
When Canberra became his eventual home with his wife, Janeen, and two children, he lent his considerable skills into serving the local community in various roles, supporting Karralika’s alcohol and drug programs, the Salvation Army’s Red Shield appeal, and was the inaugural chairman of the Hands Across Canberra charity foundation for five years.
He was also a former chair of the Canberra Convention Bureau and the Tourism Industry Council of the ACT.
“Hands Across Canberra has, I believe, made a real difference to people’s lives over the years,” he said.
