The Gold Coast based listed Raptis Group has appointed former Gold Coast Tourism chief Pavan Bhatia to the new position of Executive Director - Tourism Division.

Announcing the appointment, Raptis Group chairman Jim Raptis told Stay 247.com the new position strengthened Raptis' active push into the tourism sector, allowing it to move forward in the development and acquisition of premier hotel and leisure facilities. "We consider this is a very strategic appointment as, over the last three years, we have diversified into areas other than our core business of development, design and construction, and property management," he said.

Raptis Group's first stride into the tourism sector was the acquisition, and subsequent $15 million refurbishment, of the former beachside ANA - now known as the Holiday Inn. Shortly after, the Sheraton Mirage Resort and Spa was added to the portfolio, followed by the Gold Coast International in a joint venture with CP1.

In November last year Raptis Group announced plans for central Surfers Paradise's first five-star hotel - the Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel and Residences - which will comprise 170 hotel rooms and 403 residences across two towers. The $700 million development is now under construction.

The four facilities combined equate to 1,200 hotel rooms.

With more than 20 years experience in senior management and multinational roles in the tourism, hospitality and retail industries across Asia Pacific, Mr Bhatia will assume charge for the newly structured Tourism Division within Raptis Group.

Mr Bhatia stepped down as chief executive officer of Gold Coast Tourism Corporation in late 2007 after heading the major industry body for three years.

In that time Mr Bhatia breathed new life into the region's tourism sector by founding and implementing various initiatives, including securing $50 million in funding from the Gold Coast City Council for a strategic five year global promotion campaign for the City, and developing new brands and services such as GCBazaar, VeryGC.com.

Contemporary information and booking centres where also structured and global standards for destination marketing set, which cut across not only leisure and business tourism but also assisted marketing the Gold Coast's aviation, education and retail sectors.

Mr Raptis said Mr Bhatia will direct and harness the tourism division's current and future assets as the Group moves forward and leverages off the established Raptis brand.

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