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.

Cristy Houghton 5/25/23 Cristy Houghton 5/25/23

Agritourism development through mentoring

We’ve been mentoring a lot of agritourism operators over the last year.

Here we share examples of how our mentoring supported their business’ growth.

Cristy Houghton 10/17/22 Cristy Houghton 10/17/22

Key take outs from the Australian Agritourism Convention

Agriculture and tourism are Australia’s third and sixth largest export industries. Together, they provide a unique opportunity for growth, explored in Australian Regional Tourism’s Agritourism Convention. Here we share our key takeaways.

Cristy Houghton 6/23/21 Cristy Houghton 6/23/21

Are Aussie farmers our new tour guides?

How do we embrace these natural-born tour guides (I know, not all of them!) and support them to create authentic and transformational tourism experiences across regional Australia?

How can we break down barriers for them and create a viable pathway to diversify into tourism?

How do we enable them to show the REAL Australia?

Cristy Houghton 6/10/20 Cristy Houghton 6/10/20

Successful regional tourism development: A case study

How rural Coolamon (pop 2,200) increased tourist visitation using a new anchor attraction and a seasonal events campaign, and all the flow on effects…

Cristy Houghton 11/2/16 Cristy Houghton 11/2/16

Tourism + Agriculture = Rural tourism growth in agritourism

Deloitte has identified five “super-growth" sectors in Australia: agribusiness, gas, tourism, international education and wealth management. So what happens when you bring two ‘super-growth’ sectors together? Agribusiness + Tourism = an exciting Agritourism partnership!

Cristy Houghton 10/20/16 Cristy Houghton 10/20/16

Agritourism game-changer Coolamon Cheese

Coolamon Shire is a rich agricultural and pastoral district, located in the Riverina region of NSW. In recent years, Coolamon Shire has focused on developing and marketing festivals and events as key drivers of visitation. Rural Australian agricultural and tourism businesses are working together to embrace agri-tourism and capitalize on its benefits. Coolamon Cheese is an example of this, with nineteen artisan cheeses crafted from local Riverina milk in a historic 1920s co-op building.