More doing, less planning - We need bolder leadership in 2025!

Author: Linda Tillman  
 

What I would love to see in 2025 is more tourism development action and less over consulting and excessive planning.  

This year I have seen community and industry being over consulted a few too many times – and consequently, they feel like action will never happen. 

At the same time, destination managers are more often taking a stewardship approach and increasing their consultation with their community and industry to ensure they are doing what they want, and being inclusive. 

This may sound unusual and risky for a consultant to say (I earn a living off strategic planning!) but I honestly do see a problem in consulting and planning because it appears to be the right thing to do. It’s an even bigger problem when it’s not required, because this takes precious resources away from the doing, the action.

Let me give you an example that I experienced recently – a client engaged Tilma to do some strategic planning without realising that the exact scope of work had been delivered only 12 months earlier but had been shelved and forgotten about.  

What I hear across regional communities is that they want to be heard, and they want action. They get frustrated by planning and engagement that does not lead to relevant action and outcomes (short and long term). Community and industry need leaders that are bold, creative and measured, and that can and will make the best decisions for the community and the local economy.  

Leadership is the ability to inspire and motivate others to achieve a common goal, guiding and empowering individuals to work together effectively – even in challenging situations. Leadership is about the impact you make on others - about bringing out the best in others. 

My wish for 2025 is to see more strategic action and bold tourism development leadership from local governments across regional and remote Australia.  

Next January, blow the dust off your strategy, have a good read, turn it into a pragmatic road map, and show your industry you mean business.  

What type of leader will you be in 2025?