049 ⎢ The Evolving Experience Economy in Australia and New Zealand
Tourism Hub Podcast with Despina Karatzias
Release Date: 10/24/2024
073 ⎢ The Power of Your NETwork
Tourism Hub Podcast with Despina Karatzias
In this empowering episode of the Tourism Hub Podcast, host Despina Karatzias explores the transformative power of intentional networking. Drawing from her own journey in the tourism industry, Despina shares a unique framework she calls "Net," designed to help listeners connect more strategically and purposefully. She reflects on her recent speaking engagement at the City of Monash and Eastern Innovation Business Centre, where she inspired a group of women entrepreneurs to elevate their networking game. Listeners will discover the three essential steps of the Net framework: narrowing your...
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072 ⎢ Building Tourism Networks Across Australia: Melissa Souter Robertson’s ART Convention Experience
Tourism Hub Podcast with Despina Karatzias
In this vibrant episode of the Tourism Hub Podcast, host Despina Karatzias chats with Melissa Souter Robertson from the Shire of Collie, WA, as they discuss her experiences at the recent ART convention in Mackay. Melissa shares her enthusiasm for the event, highlighting the inspiring speakers and invaluable insights gained from the agritourism conference, which has sparked her interest in implementing similar initiatives in her region. Listeners will discover the unique features of Collie, a picturesque town located just two and a half hours south of Perth, known for its stunning bushland,...
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071 ⎢ Navigating Seasonality in Tourism Business Operations
Tourism Hub Podcast with Despina Karatzias
In this insightful episode of the Tourism Hub Podcast, host Despina Karatzias dives deep into the crucial topic of seasonality in tourism, exploring how it can be both a challenge and an opportunity for businesses. Drawing from her own experiences in the hot air balloon industry, Despina shares valuable strategies on how small businesses can effectively manage seasonal fluctuations and thrive throughout the year. Listeners will learn the importance of understanding and anticipating seasonal trends by analysing data and booking patterns, enabling them to make informed decisions about staffing,...
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070 ⎢ Navigating the Path to Sustainable Tourism with Corinne Lewis
Tourism Hub Podcast with Despina Karatzias
In this enlightening episode of the Tourism Hub Podcast, host Despina Karatzias sits down with ne Lewis from Ecotourism Australia to discuss the vital intersection of agritourism and sustainable practices. Corinne shares her experiences from the recent ART conference, highlighting the inspiring stories of local farmers who are blending their agricultural roots with tourism, all while navigating the unique challenges of this evolving sector. Listeners will gain insights into the certification process offered by Ecotourism Australia, which helps operators understand their sustainability journey...
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069 ⎢ From Crocodile Dundee to White Lotus: How Film Tourism Is Reshaping Travel Trends
Tourism Hub Podcast with Despina Karatzias
In this engaging episode of the Tourism Hub Podcast, host Despina Karatzias uncovers the transformative power of film tourism and its profound impact on travel destinations. Despina takes listeners on a journey from the iconic Crocodile Dundee to the modern-day phenomenon of Mamma Mia and the critically acclaimed series The White Lotus, exploring how these cultural touchstones have shaped travel trends and influenced tourism in their respective locations. Delving into the concept of discoverability, Despina highlights the role of digitisation and convergence in making destinations more...
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068 ⎢ Rethinking Innovation in Tourism From Complexity to Connection
Tourism Hub Podcast with Despina Karatzias
In this thought-provoking episode of the Tourism Hub Podcast, host Despina Karatzias explores the evolution of tourism and the complex interplay between technology and societal change. Despina delves into the concept of systems thinking, urging listeners to look beyond superficial solutions to understand the deeper dynamics at play in the tourism industry. She challenges the notion that technology alone drives change, introducing three critical frameworks: technological determinism, the social construction of technology, and actor-network theory. Each perspective offers a unique...
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067 ⎢ Accelerate Action: Frida Kahlo, Women & Business in Motion
Tourism Hub Podcast with Despina Karatzias
In this empowering episode of the Tourism Hub Podcast, host Despina Karatzias dives into the legacy of the iconic Frida Kahlo, exploring how her life and art can inspire bold action in the tourism industry. As we celebrated International Women's Day, Despina reflects on Frida's resilience and creativity, sharing insights on how we can channel her spirit to elevate our own businesses and experiences. Despina discusses Frida's journey through pain and adversity, highlighting her ability to transform suffering into powerful self-expression. She draws parallels between Frida's artistic legacy and...
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066 ⎢ Sustainable Growth: How Agritourism is Transforming Australia's Food and Tourism Sectors
Tourism Hub Podcast with Despina Karatzias
In this captivating episode of the Tourism Hub Podcast, host Despina Karatzias welcomes the inspiring Rose Wright from Regionality to explore the burgeoning field of agritourism in Australia. Fresh from the inaugural Agritourism Forum for Tourism Australia, Rose shares her journey and insights into how agritourism is transforming the landscape for farmers and rural communities. Rose delves into the evolution of agritourism, a movement she has championed for over 20 years, highlighting the significant shift towards recognising its value. She discusses the critical role of agritourism in...
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065 ⎢ Unlocking Melbourne's Visitor Economy with Experience Melbourne 2028
Tourism Hub Podcast with Despina Karatzias
In this impactful episode of the Tourism Hub Podcast, host Despina Karatzias takes a deep dive into the newly launched Experience Melbourne 2028, Melbourne's destination management plan aimed at shaping the city's visitor economy over the next five years. The episode highlights the significance of a Destination Management Plan (DMP) as a collaborative effort that aligns businesses, governments, and communities to foster a thriving visitor economy. Despina discusses the impressive statistics behind Melbourne's tourism, revealing that 14.3 million visitors contributed over $11 billion to...
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064 ⎢ Travel, Tech, and Transformation with Hamish Fell
Tourism Hub Podcast with Despina Karatzias
In this exciting episode of the Tourism Hub Podcast, host Despina Karatzias welcomes Hamish Fell, a visionary in the tourism tech space and a board member of the Australian Regional Tourism Network (ART). Together, they explore the future of travel and tourism, diving into how technological advancements will shape the way we travel, especially for the next generation. Hamish shares insights from his session titled "How My Daughter Will Travel When She's 20," where he discusses the potential of high-speed travel, the evolution of drone technology, and the transformative impact of fintech...
info_outlineIn this insightful episode of the Tourism Hub Podcast, host Despina Karatzias delves into the evolving experience economy in Australia and New Zealand. With a focus on the latest report from Arrival, Despina unpacks key trends, challenges, and opportunities for tourism experience makers in the region. As she navigates through the comprehensive insights from the report, she reflects on what these findings mean for businesses across the region.
Despina discusses the importance of the experience economy, especially in the post-pandemic landscape where local and domestic tourism has rebounded more quickly than international markets. She highlights the critical nature of adapting to new trends, such as the rise in online and mobile bookings, and the necessity for businesses to leverage digital marketing and mobile optimisation.
The episode also covers the adoption of dynamic pricing models, which allow businesses to maximise profitability during peak times and encourage bookings during quieter periods. Despina emphasises the need for small tourism operators to embrace technology and reduce reliance on OTAs to remain competitive.
Tune in to discover actionable insights and strategies, including the use of booking software and channel managers, to optimise operations and improve business performance. Despina wraps up with key takeaways and an action plan designed to help tourism operators thrive in this ever-evolving landscape.
01:43 - Breaking down the data: Key takeaways from the arrival report
03:33 - The pivotal role of the experience economy in modern tourism
04:54 - Survey of 318 operators on dynamic pricing across Australia and New Zealand
08:46 - 44% of operators report booking volumes surpassing 2019 levels post-pandemic
10:30 - Half of all operators now use channel managers for efficient booking management
12:59 - Austrade report: 5,000 small tourism businesses projected to close between 2019-2023
15:44 - Reflecting on the evolution of the experience economy in Australia and New Zealand
References:
Arival - The Outlook for Experiences in Australia and New Zealand
Austrade - Tourism Businesses in Australia
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Show hosted by Despina Karatzias and brought to you by Tourism Hub in association with Institute Of Excellence.
Stay curious, stay adventurous, and let's continue building a stronger tourism industry together!