Right now there is so much government investment via grant funding to revitalise domestic tourism, particularly for regions recovering from bushfire and drought, in addition to COVID-recovery. This is the time to prepare ‘shovel-ready’ projects for grant applications that will be announced in coming months.

Team Tilma are fortunate to travel to many regional and rural communities throughout Australia, and are ALWAYS amazed at how much these communities and destinations have to offer.

There are many practical actions regional and rural communities can take to attract more visitors and tempt visitors to stay longer and spend more money in local businesses.

So if you are a community or council that is interested in developing tourism we suggest you read on…

Last week Linda attended her seventh Australian Regional Tourism Convention.

Australian Regional Tourism is the peak body that represents regional tourism practitioners and acts as a hub for collaboration, cooperation, ideas generation, knowledge sharing, networking and more.

This year’s convention uncovered the big challenges for our regions, and explored what is required to compete in an increasingly competitive global market.

Our recent series of articles explored approaches to three key issues that are impacting local governments across regional Australia:

What is the role of local government in a modern and changing tourism industry?

Are we a destination or do we have the ability to become one?

Do we have the capacity, commitment and resources to realise our human potential?

Listen in as Linda Tillman of regional tourism consultancy Tilma Group and Ali Uren of learning and development service Kiikstart discuss these three questions in a short 30-minute webinar.

There is a lot of talk in tourism about collaboration but that talk fails if skills and insight are lacking in the workforce to successfully execute the smartest and best-fitting opportunities.

Let’s ask some of the key questions local government decision-makers must ask before they consider committing to the collaboration path.

Not every town or region is a destination. Some are thoroughfares or ‘tea and wee’ stops and others are business hubs…and that’s ok!

The important thing is that you know which one you are.

Do you know your destination story, and does it connect with your current and emerging markets?

Most regional Councils don’t need another strategic planning process to grow tourism!

They need a supportive process that focuses on pragmatic results, ensuring that time, energy and ratepayers’ investments are not wasted.

Linda Tillman of regional tourism consultancy Tilma Group in regional Queensland and Ali Uren of learning and development service Kiikstart in regional South Australia share the same passion points about regional tourism, particularly that local governments in regional Australia need to take a proactive approach to tourism, with a focus on increased efficiency and stronger outcomes, and less resource wastage.

Tilma Group’s PR specialist, Anna Hayward, recently developed and managed two very successful media familiarisation trips to the South Burnett region inland from QLD’s Sunshine Coast, and rural town Deniliquin near the NSW/VIC border.

We interviewed Anna for her tips…

I get to see many state and regional structures and strategies. It always boggles me to see so much duplication and inefficiencies going on in regions, so I think it’s time for me to share what I believe needs to change…for what it’s worth!

What happens when 180 regional tourism professionals get together?

Here’s a taste of the Australian Regional Tourism Convention…

10 learnings about regional tourism for 10 years as Tilma Group!

Ever thought to use an event to activate your destination’s brand? 

Or use an event to attract visitors from the city?

Here we use Taste Riverina festival to showcase one model of event management that spreads the load amongst many partners - and leverages a city event to bring visitors to the country! 

There is a new guide of specific simple actions rural and regional communities can take to gain more benefits from tourism. 

What does a roomful of rural tourism experts talk about?
We found out when we attended a Rural Tourism Forum recently...

...and we found out their advice for rural tourism destinations

Sometimes an awful lot of money is wasted in regional tourism.

Here are some examples of the kinds of waste we see, and a couple of ideas on the benefits of critically considering choices and seeking out more options.

Picture this: you've just walked up a good size peak through beautiful bushland and granite boulder country, you've taken the requisite selfie with the world-renowned view from the top, you've tripped down 900 steps (glad you asked advice on which direction around the walking track loop you should go!), and you're lying on pure soft white sand, gazing at the turquoise bay before you... Now, what's going through your mind?

Couldn't make it to DestinationQ last week? Catch up here.

Made it? Add your takeaways!

Tourism Investment in Regional Australia dishes the dirt on what’s happening in regional tourism, and that is that tourism into regional areas is growing! - 4.1% each year during the last five years on average. With good reason, as many iconic attractions and bucket-list spots are in regional areas. Read on to find out who's coming into regional Australia and why.

Events and tourism destinations may have different objectives, but the No.1 goal should be for them to work together to create LOYAL event and destination ADVOCATES.
Read on about Linda Tillman's presentation on the special relationship between tourism and events at the Australian Event Symposium.

Gen Z are the next big influencers of travel. What are they seeking?