Mark Sleigh has “loved every second” of his 12 years as General Manager of Destination Wollongong. Photo: Supplied.
A former Edmund Rice College student who led the push to promote his hometown as one of the country’s premier tourist destinations is stepping down after more than a decade.
Mark Sleigh has held the reigns as General Manager of Destination Wollongong for 12 years.
He said it was an “absolute honour” to lead Destination Wollongong and to work alongside a dedicated and talented team.
“The time just seemed right,” he told Region.
“The job is very much driven by passion and ideas and new thinking and I think after 12 years, it’s time for someone else to come in and use their vision to take it to the next level.
“We’ve rebounded back from COVID, our visitation’s higher than it’s ever been, infrastructure projects are coming out of the ground – it just all felt right.”
Mr Sleigh plans to take some time off – “chasing little white balls around big green fields” – before deciding on the next stage of his career.
“I’ll have a little bit of time off to regroup and see what comes next. My passion for Wollongong will never change, I probably just need a bit of a reset and recuperation and I’ll come back bigger and better than ever.”
He said two of the highlights of his time with Destination Wollongong were the first cruise ship coming into Port Kembla in 2016 and the UCI World Road Championships in 2022.
“All the work that went in with Councillor [Leigh] Colacino to bring the cruise ship to town was an absolute highlight. I’ll never forget that morning, walking around and Wollongong came out on a picture-perfect day.
“Much the same, the UCI was obviously another major highlight – the way the rainbow came out at the end of the women’s race, it couldn’t have been scripted any better.”
Mr Sleigh paid tribute to the team he worked with, describing it as “absolutely amazing”.
“It’s never been about one person. It’s been about everyone, getting them together and making magic happen. And each and every one of them has played such an important part in what Destination Wollongong has achieved and in teaching me what it’s like to be part of such a fantastic team. I’ve loved every second of it.”
The organisation’s chair Simon Kersten is one of many leading city figures who are paying tribute to Mr Sleigh’s commitment and achievements in increasing tourism numbers.
“Under Mark’s leadership, Destination Wollongong has not only positioned the city as a premier destination for tourism and events but has also played a crucial role in driving economic growth and enhancing the region’s profile on both national and international stages,” he said.
“Mark’s leadership has seen Wollongong thrive as a destination, with significant increases in tourism numbers and major events.
“His efforts have been instrumental in fostering strong partnerships between local businesses, government, and the broader community, ensuring Wollongong’s place as a vibrant and dynamic city.
“His passion, dedication, and approach have elevated Wollongong to new heights, attracting record numbers of visitors and solidifying our reputation as a key player in the tourism industry.
“Tourism has played an essential role in Wollongong’s growth, and under Mark’s stewardship, it has become a cornerstone of our city’s economic development.”
Former Destination Wollongong chair Tania Brown worked alongside Mr Sleigh for 10 years and said there was no stronger advocate and passionate enthusiast for Wollongong.
The Wollongong councillor and Lord Mayoral candidate said Mr Sleigh was a driving force in bringing the cruise industry to Wollongong as well as other major events such as the UCI Championships, the Wigan and Hull football game, which was the first ever Super League game played outside Europe, and with Venues NSW to have stars like Elton John play at WIN Stadium.
“He has been a champion for men’s health and the first to support many charities across the region; I have been locked up with him for Rotary and ridden stationary bikes for cancer. He was up for any challenge that aided our community,” Cr Brown said.
Wollongong City Council General Manager Greg Doyle thanked Mr Sleigh for his collaborative approach to positioning the city as a place to do business and enjoy leisure time.
“When Mark was appointed into the general manager’s role 12 years ago, council had just come out of administration and there was a real opportunity to reposition the city and move Wollongong forward in a positive and constructive way,’’ Mr Doyle said.
“Mark worked closely with staff from council to reinvent Wollongong and to challenge people who weren’t familiar with the city’s attributes to take a closer look at what we have to offer – whether as a place to holiday or to bring business.
“The growth of Wollongong’s reputation as a place to holiday or bring business has really grown and we’re seeing tourists drawn to the city as a place for mini beach breaks, for biking opportunities and for our vibrant creative scene. Mark has played a key role in this shift.’’
Wollongong City Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said there was no doubt that Mr Sleigh would long be remembered as a key advocate in the UCI Road World Championships and for his role in supporting partnerships which have seen international sporting events such as next year’s World Triathlon Championships.
Mr Sleigh holds a number of other roles in the Illawarra, including as chairman of Healthier Illawarra Men and as a director of the Barstool Brothers.
He has been a director at Illawarra Turf Club since 2021 and served as a director at Regional Development Australia Illawarra.
Jeremy Wilshire has been appointed acting general manager as the organisation undertakes a review of its strategic plan and searches for a new general manager.
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