Insider grant writing tips from tourism grant writers, and from the agencies that provide grants

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.

Learn how to deepen engagement with your guests…

If a destination is marketed successfully with strong investment and superb content using a detailed and focused marketing strategy, but fails to deliver a quality experience when visitors arrive, the tourism potential of the destination will never be realised!

All the pillars of the visitor economy require effective management.

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?

In reviewing the award categories for 2021 we noticed an exciting opportunity: there is currently no award for destination management (or better, destination development).

Here’s why we think an award for destination development would be a great addition to the tourism awards…

Tilma Group’s takeaways from a national survey on economic development and tourism investment by local governments across Australia, with a focus on regional cities and rural areas.

Tilma Group supported the rural township of Clifton in southern QLD with a tourism development plan, a marketing plan, and a plan for a new event.
Photo: @jellis_74

What is it like to implement a tourism development strategy developed by Tilma Group?

We strive to provide plans that are realistic and achievable and suit the capacity of a region's human resources to deliver (or identify where potential sources of funding or partnerships can support implementation).

Just over a year ago we developed a Visitor Economy Strategy for Central Highlands Development Corporation that is project-based for easy implementation.

Are you prepared for the funding opportunity available to regional tourism?

There is currently significant federal, state and local government funding available to support regional tourism development and recovery from bushfires and COVID-19, ranging from arts and Indigenous grants to event and infrastructure grants.

What’s new for the 2021 Australian Tourism Awards plus links to information on your state’s tourism awards

We gathered the top tourism marketing tips from colleagues and tourism industry friends

A snapshot of Australian Regional Tourism Convention 2020

Queenslanders are getting out and about to support their state’s tourism industry now that they are free to travel. Some regions are seeing visitation and forward bookings that are remarkable for this time of year.

Our top tips for how regional destination can take advantage of the current post-COVID lockdown surge ​in domestic tourism

What happens when you bring together a passionate advocate for regional and rural tourism and an out-of-the-box thinker who specialises in learning and development and creating innovative and energetic teams?

A collaboration that supports regional and rural councils to be brave, and think outside the box in paving the way for tourism success…

As travel resumes, regional destinations are poised to benefit if they can stand out in the crowded marketplace and meet the needs of visitors.

This COVID-recovery plan pulls together post COVID travel trends and traveller types, and recommended resources for destinations.

A little mentoring goes a long way – our friend Suzanne from Icon Adventures picked our brains on how to write a media release about the new domestic tours she is doing in response to the COVID travel restrictions.

Her media release immediately got published, and she sold out her first new tour! Learn from our tips

In 2011 a magnitude 6.2 earthquake caused widespread damage across Christchurch. 15,000 families lost their home in 25 seconds. When the dust settled, the community began to re-envision its world.

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…