What services does Tilma Group offer to destination managers?

Tilma Group provides a comprehensive suite of services for destination managers, including Destination Management Planning (DMP), visitor servicing reviews, tourism product audits, and strategic activation. They also offer specialized support in experience design, such as agritourism and nature-based tourism development, and capability building through mentoring.

Does Tilma Group specialize in rural and regional tourism development?

Yes, Tilma Group is a specialist consultancy dedicated to rural, regional, and remote Australia. Their team focuses on creating sustainable, community-led visitor economies that reflect the authentic character of regional communities.

How does Tilma Group assist with Destination Management Plans (DMPs)?

Tilma Group develops practical, implementable Destination Management Plans and tourism strategies backed by data and community consultation. Their approach ensures that strategies are not just visionary but also implementable, focusing on social, economic, and environmental benefit.

Does Tilma Group provide mentoring for tourism teams and Councils?

Yes, Tilma Group offers tailored mentoring and coaching for destination managers and tourism teams (as well as for tourism businesses and farmers interested in agritourism). Their mentoring is designed to build confidence, provide strategic clarity, and develop leadership skills within local government and regional tourism organizations.

What is Tilma Group’s approach to sustainable tourism?

Sustainability is at the core of Tilma Group’s mission. They advocate for responsible tourism that protects natural assets and respects local culture. As part of their commitment, they donate 1% of their profits to support rural communities' resilience to climate breakdown.

How long-term destination support turns strategic plans into real growth — Tilma Group | Regional Tourism Strategy, Destination Planning & Business Support

At Tilma Group, we believe the sign-off of a strategic plan shouldn’t be the end of our work together - developing the strategy is only 10% of the journey. The real transformation happens in the remaining 90%: the steady, annual work of activation, securing funding for projects and operator capability building.

For small regional council teams and lean regional tourism prganisations (RTOs), managing the activation phase along with business-as-usual can feel overwhelming. That's why the destinations that achieve the strongest long-term outcomes often invest in ongoing implementation support, with trusted partners (such as us!) working alongside the destination team to keep projects moving and opportunities progressing.

Depending on where you are in your growth cycle, a long-term partnership with practical strategists Tilma Group would adapt to meet your immediate needs:

Annual planning: Setting practical yearly activation plans that break aspirational goals into manageable, bite-sized priorities.

Funding projects: Identifying targeted grant opportunities and writing competitive funding applications to get projects off the ground.

Industry capability building: Working with operators through cost-effective workshops and valued one-on-one business development coaching to grow new products, improve the visitor experience, improve business efficiencies and improve marketing effectiveness.

Progress reviews: Adjusting implementation pathways as market conditions, funding opportunities, or regional priorities evolve.

Case study: A multi-year journey to award-winning success

Building a thriving visitor economy takes time, consistency, and sustained momentum. A great example of what long-term collaboration can achieve is our multi-year work for Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council:

2020 – The Strategic Foundation: Tilma developed an Agritourism Development Strategy for Council.

2023 – Capability & Mentoring: Council secured funding for Tilma to deliver an intensive, hands-on agritourism mentoring program that empowered local farmers to launch new bookable visitor experiences.

2026 – Leveraging Heritage for Tourism: Tilma is developing a business case to attract investment into a heritage agritourism facility, unlocking its visitor economy potential.

This sustained partnership was recognised with a National Economic Development Award for Excellence, demonstrating that long-term commitment and collaboration delivers real, measurable outcomes for regional communities.

Let’s build your destination’s next chapter

Whether you are looking to dust off an existing strategy, build operator capability across your region, or map out your next 5-year vision, you don't have to do it alone – whether we’ve worked with you in the past or not.

Ready to move your regional strategy into action?

Reach out to the Tilma team today to discuss how we can support your destination management goals.