Tourism Matters

Carmen Bold
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Tourism Matters explores careers, capability and the people shaping the tourism industry. Host Carmen Bold speaks with professionals, leaders and educators from across the sector about how they built their careers, the lessons they’ve learned along the way, and where the industry is heading next. The podcast offers insight for anyone working in tourism, considering a career in the industry, or responsible for developing the next generation of talent.

  1. Linda Tillman: Why Regional Events Are Struggling (And What Needs to Change)

    -1 J

    Linda Tillman: Why Regional Events Are Struggling (And What Needs to Change)

    Episode Description In this episode of Tourism Matters, Carmen Bold speaks with Linda Tillman - Managing Director of Tilma Group and co-founder of the Australian Centre for Regional Events - about the realities of building tourism and events capability in regional Australia. Linda shares how a university assignment on rural tourism resulted in a 20-year career working alongside regional communities, and how she built a business focused on helping destinations grow through tourism and events. The conversation explores the critical role events play in regional economies, why so many events are under pressure, and the persistent challenges that haven’t changed in decades. Linda also introduces a bold idea for the future — regional support hubs designed to take pressure off event organisers and allow them to focus on what actually matters: creating great experiences. What You'll Take Away From This Episode  • Why events are critical to regional tourism and community development  • The three core challenges facing regional events: people, money, and compliance  • How outdated operating models are contributing to burnout and “same-same” events  • Why volunteering models need to evolve to attract younger people  • The opportunity to rethink how events are supported through shared services and regional hubs About Linda Linda Tillman is the Managing Director of Tilma Group, a consultancy she founded in 2008 to support regional and rural communities through tourism and events. She has spent nearly 20 years working across Australia on destination development, event strategy, and industry capability building, partnering with government, regional tourism organisations, and local communities. Linda is also the co-founder of the Australian Centre for Regional Events, which focuses on strengthening the long-term sustainability of events through training, mentoring, and capability development. Her work sits at both the strategic and grassroots level — helping shape big-picture tourism strategies while working directly with operators and communities on the ground. Connect with Linda on LinkedIn Connect with Carmen on LinkedIn Organisations Referenced Tilma Group: https://tilmagroup.com.au/ Australian Centre for Regional Events: https://australianregionalevents.com.au/ Episode Chapters  01:48 Getting to Know Linda  06:10 Early Career Interests in Tourism  11:33 Discovering a Passion for Regional Tourism  15:05 First Role in Local Government  16:26 Travelling Australia and Career Direction  19:28 Breaking into the Industry Through Networking  24:06 Starting Tilma Group  33:29 The Role of Events in Regional Tourism  36:39 Launching the Australian Centre for Regional Events  37:38 Challenges Facing Regional Events  41:34 Workforce and Volunteering in Regional Communities  44:11 Skills, Capacity and Capability Gaps  46:09 Rethinking the Event Model

    53 min
  2. Professor Anne Hardy: Why Tourism Research Matters - Behaviour, Data and Antarctica

    10 MARS

    Professor Anne Hardy: Why Tourism Research Matters - Behaviour, Data and Antarctica

    In this episode of Tourism Matters, Carmen Bold speaks with Professor Anne Hardy — tourism researcher, consultant, academic, and Chair of Destination Southern Tasmania — about how research can shape tourism decisions. Anne shares the story of her career in tourism academia, from studying tourism’s impacts on communities to leading innovative projects like Tourism Tracer, which used smartphone technology to track how visitors move through destinations. She also discusses her research in Antarctica exploring whether travel experiences can influence environmental behaviour. The conversation explores why tourism operators rarely access academic research, how behaviour change theories can improve visitor experiences, and why the industry needs stronger connections with universities. Anne also reflects on redundancy after a 20-year academic career and her mission to help researchers communicate their work more effectively with industry. What You'll Take Away From This Episode  • How tourism researchers study visitor behaviour and decision-making  • The Tourism Tracer project and how technology tracked visitor movement  • What Antarctica tourism reveals about behaviour change and sustainability  • Why tourism businesses should engage more with academic research  • How behaviour change theory can improve visitor experiences and operations About Anne Professor Anne Hardy is a tourism researcher whose work focuses on tourism behaviour, mobility, sustainability, and research communication. Across a 20-year academic career she has published more than 80 journal articles and four books, with her research cited over 3,000 times. Her work has been presented at international forums including the United Nations World Tourism Organization and the United Nations Environment Program. Anne is particularly known for pioneering projects such as Tourism Tracer, which tracked visitor movement across destinations using mobile technology, and for her research exploring how travel experiences — particularly in Antarctica — can influence environmental behaviour. She is currently Chair of Destination Southern Tasmania and now works to bridge the gap between tourism research and industry practice. Connect with Anne on LinkedIn Connect with Carmen on LinkedIn Organisations Referenced Destination Southern Tasmania: https://southerntasmania.com.au/ Omineca Consulting: https://www.ominecaconsulting.com/ Antarctic Treaty System: https://www.ats.aq/ Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/ University of Tasmania: https://www.utas.edu.au/ Episode Chapters  02:58 Travel Preferences and Experiences  05:58 Early Life and Education in Tasmania  08:55 Career Path: From Law to Tourism  11:58 Academic Journey and Research Focus  14:58 Impact of Family on Career Choices  17:59 Understanding Academia and the PhD Process  21:00 Communicating Research and Industry Engagement  23:42 The Evolution of Academic Communication  26:46 Anne’s Career Journey and Experiences  31:44 Innovative Research and Technology in Tourism  38:04 Transformative Travel Experiences  49:31 Navigating Career Changes and Future Aspirations  53:39 Embracing the Radical Sabbatical  56:38 Navigating Academic Careers  01:00:07 Understanding Human Behaviour in Tourism  01:04:50 The Importance of Communication in Research

    1 h 13 min
  3. Matt Scott: Tour Guiding, Product Development and Building a Global Tourism Career

    4 MARS

    Matt Scott: Tour Guiding, Product Development and Building a Global Tourism Career

    In this episode of Tourism Matters, join Carmen Bold as she chats with Matt Scott about his journey through international tourism, tour guiding and product development. Matt shares how early travel experiences and cultural exposure led him into the tourism industry, including years guiding tours across Europe and developing high-end travel experiences. The conversation explores the importance of training, customer service and adaptability in tourism, along with insights into product development, river cruising and sustainable tourism practices. What you'll take away from this episode  • How international travel and cultural exposure shaped Matt’s tourism career  • What it takes to succeed as a professional tour guide  • Why training and customer service excellence are critical in tourism  • Insights into tourism product development and creating memorable travel experiences  • The operational complexity behind the river cruise industry  • How sustainability and First Nations tourism are shaping the future of travel About Matt Matt Scott has built an international career across tour guiding, tourism product development and regional tourism. His experience includes guiding tours across Europe, developing travel products and working within the cruise and tourism sectors. Matt has also worked across tourism development roles in Australia, contributing to projects focused on sustainable tourism, regional development and cultural tourism initiatives. Connect with Matt on LinkedIn Connect with Carmen on LinkedIn Organisations and industry references mentioned Fat Tire Tours: https://fattiretours.com Backroads Tours: https://www.backroads.com City Wonders: https://citywonders.com Many Rivers: https://manyrivers.org.au/ Episode Chapters  00:00 Introduction and early travel experiences  03:00 Early life, gap years and cultural exposure  09:00 Volunteering and discovering tourism  12:00 University and first steps into the industry  18:00 Camp counselling and international experiences  21:00 Living in Paris and working as a tour guide  26:00 Training and professional development in tourism  30:00 Seasonality and life as a tour guide  32:00 Creating memorable experiences for travellers  39:00 Moving into tourism product development  46:00 Insights into the river cruise industry  53:00 Returning to Australia and new career opportunities  56:00 Exploring Australia through tourism work  59:00 Navigating the tourism industry during COVID  01:02:00 Moving into regional economic development  01:04:00 First Nations tourism and cultural engagement  01:09:00 Sustainable tourism and future industry challenges

    1 h 18 min
  4. Emma Rhoades: Tourism Careers, Networking and Navigating Workforce Challenges

    25 FÉVR.

    Emma Rhoades: Tourism Careers, Networking and Navigating Workforce Challenges

    In this episode of Tourism Matters, join Carmen Bold as she chats with Emma Rhoades about her career journey and her current work supporting tourism businesses through workforce development at the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC). Emma reflects on returning to university later in life, re-entering the workforce after raising children, and finding her place in the tourism industry. The conversation explores workforce challenges across tourism, the importance of networking and building relationships, and practical advice for people looking to start or grow their careers in the industry. What you'll take away from this episode  • Why networking is one of the most powerful tools for building a tourism career  • How career paths in tourism often evolve through unexpected opportunities  • The workforce challenges facing tourism operators today  • Why passion and persistence matter when building a career in tourism  • Practical advice for job seekers looking to enter the tourism industry  • How industry organisations are supporting tourism operators and employees About Emma Emma Rhoades works as a workforce advisor with QTIC, supporting tourism businesses across Queensland with workforce development, industry challenges and career pathways. Her career journey includes returning to university later in life and re-entering the workforce after raising children. Emma is passionate about helping people navigate careers in tourism and connecting industry operators with the support they need. The Industry Workforce Advisor Program is supported and funded by the Queensland Government. Connect with Emma on LinkedIn Connect with Carmen on LinkedIn Organisations and industry references mentioned Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) https://www.qtic.com.au Accor Heartist Ethos: https://group.accor.com/en/group/people-at-our-heart/our-heartist-ethos Episode Chapters  00:00 Introduction and early career aspirations  03:00 Education and early career interests  06:00 Working at Telstra and stepping away for motherhood  08:00 Returning to university and rediscovering career direction  11:00 Navigating career transitions and self-reflection  13:00 Connecting with the tourism industry  19:00 Emma’s role at QTIC and workforce support  22:00 Workforce challenges across the tourism industry  26:00 Promoting tourism careers and industry opportunities  29:00 Advice for job seekers entering tourism  34:00 Networking strategies and building relationships  39:00 Final reflections and support for tourism professionals

    42 min
  5. Sarah-Jane Tilbury, Leadership, Commercial Accumen and do penguins have knees?

    17 FÉVR.

    Sarah-Jane Tilbury, Leadership, Commercial Accumen and do penguins have knees?

    In this episode of Tourism Matters, join Carmen Bold as she chats with Sarah-Jane Tilbury about building a career in tourism that spans international travel, operational leadership and general management. Sarah-Jane shares her journey from growing up in the UK and entering the tourism industry through travel and car rental, to moving to Australia and stepping into senior leadership roles. The conversation explores leadership, team dynamics, commercial thinking and the challenges of managing tourism businesses through major disruptions such as COVID-19. What you'll take away from this episode  • Why leadership in tourism is about empowering teams to succeed  • How careers in tourism often evolve through unexpected opportunities  • The importance of commercial thinking in tourism operations  • Lessons from managing tourism businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic  • Why networking and strong industry relationships matter in tourism careers  • Advice for professionals looking to move into general management roles It’s funny. It’s honest. And underneath the laughter is a really sharp conversation about what modern tourism leadership actually looks like. About Sarah-Jane Sarah-Jane Tilbury is a tourism leader with experience across travel operations, hospitality and visitor attractions. Her career has taken her from the UK to Australia, working across multiple tourism sectors and ultimately stepping into general management roles. Known for her people-first leadership style, Sarah-Jane focuses on empowering teams, building strong organisational cultures and delivering high-quality visitor experiences while maintaining strong commercial performance. Connect with Sarah-Jane on LinkedIn Connect with Carmen on LinkedIn Organisations and industry references mentioned Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa: https://hepburnbathhouse.com/ Belgravia Leisure: https://belgravialeisure.com.au/ SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium: https://www.visitsealife.com/melbourne/ SeaLink: https://www.sealink.com.au/ Tourism Holdings Limited: https://www.thlonline.com Episode Chapters  00:00 Introduction to SJ Tilbury and her tourism career  03:00 Early life in the UK and first exposure to travel  06:00 Starting a career in tourism and travel industries  09:00 Moving into the car rental sector  12:00 Career growth in tourism operations  15:00 Leadership lessons and managing teams  18:00 Moving to Australia and new tourism opportunities  21:00 Working with Tourism Holdings Limited  25:00 Transition into senior tourism leadership roles  29:00 Managing visitor attractions and working with animals  33:00 Empowering teams and leadership philosophy  39:00 Education, conservation and visitor engagement  45:00 Balancing commercial success with team wellbeing  49:00 Navigating tourism operations during COVID-19  57:00 Team culture, leadership and difficult conversations  01:00:00 Career transitions and networking in tourism  01:08:00 Executive roles and industry leadership  01:12:00 The rise of wellness tourism  01:20:00 Advice for aspiring tourism professionals

    1 h 17 min
  6. Kate Gibson: Hike Collective, Human Connection and Purpose-Driven Tourism

    10 FÉVR.

    Kate Gibson: Hike Collective, Human Connection and Purpose-Driven Tourism

    In the first episode of Tourism Matters for 2026, join Carmen Bold as she chats with Kate Gibson about her journey from horse riding and personal training to founding Hike Collective, a tourism business focused on meaningful outdoor experiences. Kate shares how Hike Collective began as a mental health initiative built around hiking and connection with nature, and how it evolved into a successful adventure tourism business. The conversation explores the power of human connection in tourism, the role of tour guides in creating memorable experiences, and how the business adapted and grew during the COVID-19 pandemic. What you'll take away from this episode  • How Kate transitioned from personal training into founding a tourism business  • Why connection with nature, community and self sits at the heart of Hike Collective  • How COVID-19 created new opportunities for local tourism experiences  • The growing importance of tour guides in shaping meaningful travel experiences  • What Kate looks for when hiring and mentoring tourism guides  • Why giving back and supporting the next generation of tourism professionals matters About Kate Kate Gibson is the founder of Hike Collective, an adventure tourism company based in Western Australia that creates guided hiking experiences focused on connection with nature, self and community. Originally launched as a mental health initiative encouraging people to get outdoors together, Hike Collective has grown into a recognised tourism brand. Kate is also passionate about mentoring emerging tourism professionals and contributing to the broader tourism industry. Connect with Kate on LinkedIn Connect with Carmen on LinkedIn Organisations and industry references mentioned Hike Collective: https://www.hikecollective.com.au/ Episode Chapters  00:00 Introduction and early influences  02:30 Growing up with horses and early career ambitions  05:00 Transition into events and fitness careers  08:00 Moving into personal training and coaching  10:00 The idea behind Hike Collective  13:00 Building a purpose-driven tourism business  19:00 Entering the tourism industry and learning the sector  24:00 Networking and building tourism relationships  29:00 Growth and recognition in tourism  31:00 Navigating COVID-19 and opportunities in local tourism  34:00 The three connections: self, community and place  38:00 Building a strong community of tour guides  42:00 Distribution and understanding tourism channels  46:00 The evolving role of tour guides  55:00 Hiring guides and building the right team  01:00:00 Giving back and supporting the tourism industry

    1 h 6 min
  7. Penny Brand: From SeaWorld Mascot & 60+ Skydives to Destination Marketing Leader

    04/12/2025

    Penny Brand: From SeaWorld Mascot & 60+ Skydives to Destination Marketing Leader

    In this episode of Tourism Matters, join Carmen Bold as she chats with Penny Brand about building a career in tourism that spans adventure tourism, international tour guiding and destination marketing. Penny shares how her early roles—from performing as a SeaWorld mascot to managing skydiving operations and guiding tours across Europe—helped build the skills that later led her into destination marketing and tourism development at Gate 7. The conversation explores the importance of networking, industry relationships and genuine enthusiasm when building a career in the tourism industry. What you'll take away from this episode  • How diverse experiences can shape a successful career in tourism  • Why networking and industry relationships are critical in tourism careers  • The role destination marketing plays in attracting visitors and increasing spend  • What it’s like working as a Tourism Development Director  • Practical advice for young professionals entering the tourism industry  • Why passion and enthusiasm remain essential in tourism careers About Penny Penny Brand has built a diverse career across tourism guiding, adventure tourism, event management and destination marketing. Her experience includes roles as a European tour guide with Contiki, managing adventure tourism operations and working in destination marketing with Gate 7. Today she works in tourism development and destination marketing, helping destinations grow visitor numbers and awareness through strategic partnerships and global tourism promotion. Connect with Penny on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/penny-brand-44349231/ Connect with Carmen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-bold/ Organisations and industry references mentioned Gate 7: https://gate7.com.au Contiki: https://www.contiki.com SeaWorld: https://seaworld.com Travel South USA: https://travelsouth.visittheusa.com/en-au/ IPW Trade Show: https://www.ipw.com Nomads / Australian Backpacking Network: https://www.nomadsworld.com Episode Chapters  00:00 Introduction to Penny Brand and her tourism career  01:00 Early roles including SeaWorld mascot and expressive performance work  02:30 Moving into adventure tourism and managing skydiving operations  03:30 Tour guiding in Europe and working with Contiki  05:00 Managing international tour groups and cultural experiences  06:00 Returning to Australia and involvement in the Olympics  07:00 Moving into destination marketing with Gate 7  08:30 How destination marketing promotes regions and increases visitor spend  10:00 Building strong tourism industry networks  11:30 The role of a Tourism Development Director  13:00 The importance of trade shows, industry events and famils  14:30 Recruitment tips and how to stand out in tourism interviews  16:00 Passion, resilience and the post-COVID tourism industry  17:30 Encouragement for young professionals entering tourism

    53 min
  8. Nic Cooper: From Tour Guide to Eco-Tourism Founder and the Future of Responsible Tourism

    26/11/2025

    Nic Cooper: From Tour Guide to Eco-Tourism Founder and the Future of Responsible Tourism

    In this episode of Tourism Matters, join Carmen Bold as she chats with Nic Cooper about his journey from working in tourism from a young age to founding Wild Adventures Melbourne, an eco-tourism company focused on sustainable travel experiences. Nic reflects on the many stages of his tourism career, from tour guiding and destination marketing to launching his own tourism business during the challenges of COVID-19. The conversation explores sustainability, climate responsibility in tourism, and how small tourism businesses can play a powerful role in shaping a more responsible visitor economy. What you'll take away from this episode  • How Nic’s tourism career evolved from tour guiding into business development and entrepreneurship  • Why sustainability and responsible tourism are becoming essential in the visitor economy  • The challenges of launching a tourism business during the COVID-19 pandemic  • How small tourism operators can play a major role in addressing climate change  • Why tourism has the power to inspire positive change in travellers  • Advice for the next generation of tourism professionals entering the industry About Nic Nic Cooper is the founder of Wild Adventures Melbourne, an eco-tourism company focused on creating meaningful outdoor experiences while promoting responsible tourism practices. Alongside running Wild Adventures Melbourne, Nic also works as a consultant helping tourism businesses improve their sustainability practices and environmental impact. His work is driven by a strong belief that tourism can be part of the solution to climate change when operators embrace transparency, collaboration and responsible travel principles. Connect with Nic on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niccooper/ Connect with Carmen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-bold/ Organisations and industry references mentioned 7 Generations Tourism: https://www.7gt.com.au/ Wild Adventures Melbourne: https://wildadventuresmelbourne.com/ Episode Chapters  00:00 Introduction to Nic Cooper and his tourism career  03:00 Early influences and starting in tourism at a young age  07:00 Backpacking, ski seasons and discovering tourism opportunities  10:00 Moving into tour guiding and building industry experience  12:00 Career growth through business development roles  21:00 Moving to Australia and exploring new tourism opportunities  26:00 Destination marketing and tourism industry insights  28:00 Pursuing entrepreneurship and starting a tourism business  30:00 Launching Wild Adventures Melbourne  32:00 Navigating COVID-19 as a new tourism business  36:00 Responsible tourism and ethical travel practices  39:00 Sustainability consulting and industry collaboration  42:00 The role of small tourism businesses in climate action  48:00 Creating meaningful tourism experiences through eco practices  57:00 Inspiring the next generation of tourism professionals

    1 h 2 min
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À propos

Tourism Matters explores careers, capability and the people shaping the tourism industry. Host Carmen Bold speaks with professionals, leaders and educators from across the sector about how they built their careers, the lessons they’ve learned along the way, and where the industry is heading next. The podcast offers insight for anyone working in tourism, considering a career in the industry, or responsible for developing the next generation of talent.

Informations

  • Création
    Carmen Bold
  • Années d’activité
    2025 - 2026
  • Épisodes
    14
  • Classification
    Tous publics
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Tourism Matters
  • Site web de l’émission
    Tourism Matters