Trends in regional tourism for 2023


Transformational Experiences

“In this new era of travel, people are actively seeking experiences that enrich, awaken and transform them, and, eventually, the world. They want to ignite something new within themselves by consciously connecting with and appreciating our extraordinary planet, its people and cultures.” - Tourism & Events Queensland's Ultimate Transformational Experience Guide

This how-to guide on transformational travel steps business owners through how to draw travellers into an emotional experience while they are dreaming about travel, planning a trip, booking, experiencing their holiday, and sharing about it on social media.

What Tilma Group is doing

 

ACCESSIBLE TOURISM

20% of us live with disability - that's a lot of potential visitors!

Embracing inclusive travel offers significant opportunities - for example, people with disability tend to spend more and travel in bigger parties

When people find a travel provider who gives them a great experience, they become loyal customers, repeat visits often, and share their experiences with others. In disability communities, word-of-mouth recommendations is huge – and potentially hugely valuable to a tourism operator.

While physical access is important, being treated with kindness and respect is the most important consideration for people with disability. Just by asking, 'How can I help?' or, 'What can I do for you?', you are showing a willingness to offer service, and that attitude can go a long way towards mitigating physical challenges - and it signals you are not making assumptions about someone’s ability.

Many operators see financial barriers to becoming accessible but there are many low- or no-cost solutions so you can start small and do low-cost alterations that will benefit a wide range of people. Ask yourself, 'How can I welcome people more effectively?' and remember, inclusion is less about physical change and more about attitudinal change.

 

What Tilma Group is doing

  • We added the fantastic UserWay widget to our website to make it accessible

  • Through our mentoring of operators we are inspiring and empowering operators to embrace accessibility.

  • We developed an Access and Inclusion Plan template for events through our event support business rEVENTS Academy, and made its event management templates accessible

 

SUSTAINABLE / REGENERATIVE TOURISM

It's been exciting to see so many destinations and businesses register to undertake Ecotourism Australia certification this year!

With more and more travellers searching for responsible travel options, providing genuinely sustainable experiences is a big opportunity for businesses and destinations.

A great new program is the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard - a pathway program for any type of tourism business to start their sustainability journey. The program assesses four pillars of sustainability: environmental, socio-economic and cultural impacts and sustainable management.

Check out Ecotourism Australia's new certification programs for destinations and businesses that are not nature-based.

 

What Tilma Group is doing

  • Kushla is undertaking sustainable destination management training over the coming months to enable Tilma Group to better integrate sustainability into all of the planning we undertake for clients. This will build on the training Linda undertook with Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

  • We developed an emissions reduction plan using ecoBiz’s free resources (you could too! It took us 1.5 hours), and we offset emissions we haven't yet been able to reduce with Greenfleet.

  • We undertook climate risk management planning for how more frequent and extreme weather events will impact Tilma Group (find a template here).

  • We commenced the rigorous process of BCorp certification

  • Our rEVENTS Academy developed a Responsible Event Plan template for event organisers, and will develop a training module on sustainable events in the coming months

  • We are helping clients across regional Australia on their sustainability journey. This year a favourite project was developing a regional events strategy for Tweed Shire Council which has a clear focus on attracting visitors who share residents' values around sustainability. We’re looking forward to developing an events strategy for ECO Destination Central Coast NSW in early 2023.

  • In the coming months, we’ll be looking at how Tilma Group can support the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.


Learn more about our commitment to regenerative tourism.

 

 

FIRST NATIONS TOURISM

Providing tourism and events businesses with knowledge and tools to better engage with First Nations businesses and communities, Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) has launched a ‘Best Practice Guide for Working with First Nations Tourism in Queensland'.

The guide sets out a practical framework for recognising people and places, safeguarding intellectual property rights and cultural protocols, and respecting Indigenous heritage.

 

What Tilma Group is doing

  • The tourism award submission we wrote for Spirits of the Red Sand helped them win Gold at the Queensland Tourism Awards.

  • We developed a Tourism Product Development Plan for Lumburra Bimbi of Emerald in central Queensland.

  • Linda mentored mentored two First Nations businesses - Native Oz Bushfoods in the Lockyer Valley and Birrunga Gallery & Dining in Brisbane

  • We participated in Brisbane Economic Development Agency’s First Nations Tourism Relationship Building Program at Yarriba Dreaming in the Scenic Rim, a business we helped get off the ground in 2021 (image above)

  • As we support the development of a new state-significant event in Cunnamulla, QLD, we engaged with the Traditional Owners to ensure the event’s cultural integrity.

 

Additionally, our articles on Indigenous tourism are regularly read, such as

 

Dive deeper

Dive deeper into these trends in Tourism Australia’s new Future of Tourism Demand report.

Destinations, Indigenous tourism, Operators, Regional TourismLinda TillmanComment