Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive Rob Giason will step down from his role in December after a 39-year career in tourism marketing and management roles.
TTNQ will begin recruiting for a new CEO immediately.
Giason said he would have a break before pursuing project management roles nationally and abroad.
"I am very proud of how I am leaving the organisation on track to achieve its goal of boosting tourism expenditure in the region by $1 billion to $3.2 billion in 2015 and after eight years it is time for new blood to take TTNQ into the future."
Giason came into the job on October 10, 2005 when Cairns and the tourism leisure market was thriving before a period of turmoil with international events, natural disasters and aviation cuts taking their toll.
"Valuable lessons were learnt during these tough years resulting in TTNQ devising a strategy to future proof the industry that has resulted in our region driving tourism growth in Queensland and Australia in the past 12 months," he said.
The future-proofing strategy added sporting and cultural events in the shoulder seasons and targeted growth in each of the region’s seven key markets.
