Meet Our

Committee

Meet the Youth Tourism  NSW Committee

Andrew Cowan

The Millet Group

President 

I’ve been working in the tourism and hospitality sector for the past 15 years. During my time at the Millett Group over the last decade, I’ve transitioned from operations to my current role with a key focus on connecting the international youth market to the group’s flagship brand Wake Up! Hostels.

I joined the Youth Tourism NSW committee (formally Backpacker Operators Association NSW) in 2017 and currently hold the position of President. I was lucky enough to take out the ‘Young Industry Legend Award’ at the 2019 Adventure Tourism Awards!

Adam Ogle

Welcome to Travel

Vice President 

I was previously Operations Manager at a large adventure travel agency. I then co-founded Welcome to Travel – an award-winning tour operator introducing travellers to Sydney and Melbourne. I also helped co-found Adventure Tourism Victoria (ATV), holding the role of Vice President for two years. I was heavily involved in writing submissions and representing ATV in Federal Parliament for an inquiry into the Working Holiday Maker program.

Campbell Shepherd

EVT

Treasurer

I’m currently working on developing Lylo – a new lifestyle budget accommodation experience operated by EVT, launching in both Australia and New Zealand. My experience in large scale budget hotels and flashpacker hostel complexes including having been the CEO of Base Backpackers for a decade, and before that the MD for Auckland City Backpackers.

James Oliver

YHA Australia

Secretary

I’ve been working in the youth tourism space for over a decade, predominantly involved in operations. I’m currently the Property Manager at Sydney Harbour YHA and was previously the South Island Operations Manager for Tourism Adventure Group. I’ve had the pleasure of working in diverse locations Including New Zealand, Queensland and NSW. My passion for creating environments to facilitate unforgettable memories for travellers is what drives my work every day.

Stacey Chen

Skydive Australia

Committee Member

Prior to Skydive Australia, my background was working in hotels. I have now been with the company since 2018 and was based in Melbourne. In 2022, I relocated to Sydney, where I am now looking after the NSW, VIC and WA market. I was a committee member of Adventure Tourism Victoria (ATV) in Melbourne and now I’m stoked to be a part of Youth Tourism NSW as I am passionate about supporting our youth tourism industry. I have jumped out of a perfectly good airplane 223 times and still counting (solo and tandem jumps)!

Andy Collins

OTA Insight

Committee Member

Currently at OTA Insight, I’ve has held a variety of key account management roles focusing on markets across the APAC Region in both Sydney and Singapore. Coming from a hotel background prior to crossing into the OTA space, I spent over ten years in a variety of roles in properties across France, Spain, and New Zealand before relocating to Australia.

Gemma Linton

UKO

Committee Member

Currently I am with UKO as a Community Manager creating co-living spaces around Sydney. Previously with YHA and Topdeck Europe I have just clocked up my first decade in the youth tourism industry!

My hope and drive is that we can see the youth tourism industry get back to the place of connectedness and camaraderie that we had in 2019 and then utilise that unity to make NSW the destination of choice for youth travellers worldwide!

Justin Steele

Local Sauce Tours

Committee Member

I’m the founder of Local Sauce Tours, an award-winning food, bar and street art tour company. I was previously a corporate lawyer but escaped that path to work in tourism, doing my apprenticeship at Bounce hostels and as a free walking tour guide before starting my own business in 2018.

Jack Zhuo

Hostelworld

Committee Member

I’m a mechanical engineer but really wanted to get involved with the Tourism and Hospitality sectors! I joined the Hostelworld team nearly five years ago and work alongside lots of accommodation providers in Oceania to help support and provide them with the best Online Travel Agent experience possible.

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Youth Tourism NSW is the industry body which represents backpacker and youth travel businesses across NSW & ACT.

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