30 Jun 2023
Media release
ADELAIDE: G’day Group is delighted to announce the appointment of highly respected technology and product leader David Hassan as the organisation’s new Chief Technology Officer.
David has significant experience in the tourism industry, having previously worked with Qantas, Virgin and Helloworld Travel. Most recently he was Chief Technology and Information Officer with recruitment firm Hudson.
G’day Group founder and Chief Executive Officer Grant Wilckens said David would bring vital expertise as the company looks to unlock its growth potential through ongoing digital transformation.
“Over the course of our 18-year history, we have been a highly successful property company, acquiring and developing quality holiday park properties around Australia,” Grant said.
“However, with ambitions to become a $2.5 billion company in the next five years, we know that we need to pursue growth through digital transformation to streamline the customer experience in our parks and unlock latent value in our suite of digital tools, including WikiCamps and the G’day Parks booking and loyalty platform.”
“We are very excited that we have secured someone of David’s talent to lead our technology and digital program that will support our strategic ambitions and maintain our position as a market leader in the tourism and hospitality industry.”
David will be based in Sydney, reflecting the group’s national footprint.
“It’s a very exciting time to be joining Gday Group, particularly given the rapid growth the organisation is undergoing and the opportunities this is creating,” David said.
“Technology plays a fundamental role in underpinning organisational growth as well as in meeting and exceeding the expectations of our consumers.
“To be able to make a difference not only to the way in which the company operates but also in the way we create memorable experiences for our guests is something I’m really looking forward to.”
David joins a senior management team that now also includes Chief Financial Officer Karen Jarrett.
Prior to joining Gday Group, Karen was CFO at global fitness company Sweat. She has also held senior roles at ZEN Energy and Simec Energy Australia and rejoins Gday Group having previously worked for the company from 2010 to 2015.
For more information contact: Myles Wallace, G’day Group Communications Manager, 0432 866 094 or mwallace@discoveryparks.com.au
About G’day Group
Founded by Grant Wilckens in 2004 with three caravan parks in WA, G’day Group is now Australia’s leader in regional accommodation experiences with more than 300 properties across the country.
G’day Group is home to Discovery, a network of more than 85 owned and operated holiday parks and resorts, with properties in iconic regional destinations, including Kings Canyon, Rottnest Island and the world famous El Questro. The company also owns G’day Parks, a network of 220+ independently owned licensed parks and more than 200,000 G’day Rewards members, and Australia’s number one regional travel community, Wikicamps.
G’day Group reached $1 billion status in 2020 and has ambitions to double in size in the next five years. The company is majority owned by Australian Retirement Trust and founder and CEO Grant Wilckens is the Chair of the Caravan Industry Association of Australia and a Board Director of the South Australian Tourism Commission.
