Mr Sutton will join MRT next month from Moira Shire Council, where he has been the tourism and events manager.
MRT chair Wendy Greiner was ‘delighted’ to make the announcement as the organisation had been operating with an interim chief executive officer since September.
“The flood hampered our appointment a little bit, because we didn’t feel it was appropriate to recruit while we were experiencing the floods,” Ms Greiner said.
“We are excited about Cameron joining us and having the opportunity to work with our team and our stakeholders.”
Mr Sutton will have to hit the ground running at MRT, working through the organisation's strategic and destination management plans.
“We have a strategic plan, but it is due to be renewed, not until next year, and he will need to work through that,” Ms Greiner said.
“We have just completed our destination management plan, so he will need to ensure that it is thoroughly implemented across the region.
“We also have just released a number of what we call local action plans that work in conjunction with the destination management plan.
“With local governments having their own local action plans, he will just ensure that they have been properly supportive as well in the process.”
MRT is confident Mr Sutton’s broad and diverse experience will help him quickly gain an understanding of what’s happening in the region.
“As incoming CEO, I am excited to have the opportunity to lead an organisation that is passionate about promoting the cross-border Murray River region as a premier tourism destination,” Mr Sutton said.
“Murray River Tourism's mission to strengthen the region's visitor economy is a challenge I am thrilled to take on.
“We will work closely with our partners in the public and private sector to develop quality tourism products that inspire visitors to explore the Murray River region.”
Mr Sutton's experience includes working in local government, resort and hotel management as well as being a non-executive director of MRT up until June 2022.
Interim chief executive officer Karen Oliver will continue to work with Mr Sutton for a short while to ensure a smooth transition.
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