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. Hannah Pearson: Travel, Startups and Building a Business Through Crisis and Consistency

    2 DAYS AGO

    Hannah Pearson: Travel, Startups and Building a Business Through Crisis and Consistency

    In this episode of Tourism Matters, I’m joined by Hannah Pearson, founder of Pear Anderson and co-host of the Southeast Asia Travel Show. Hannah’s career has taken her from studying languages at Oxford to teaching in France and China, corporate London, Kuala Lumpur, travel startups, market representation and founding Pear Anderson, a tourism sales, marketing and market intelligence business focused on Southeast Asia. We talk about winding tourism careers, unexpected opportunities, building a business in travel, and how Hannah’s weekly Southeast Asia travel report became a trusted industry resource during COVID. We also discuss workforce challenges, including the disconnect between education and industry, the need for better training, and why passion matters but cannot replace fair pay, support and development. What you will takeaway...  Tourism careers rarely follow a straight line  Sales in tourism is really about relationships and market fit  Consistency can build serious credibility over time  Education, industry and young professionals are often disconnected  Passion matters, but it cannot be used as an excuse for burnout About Hannah Pearson Hannah Pearson is the founder of Pear Anderson, a tourism sales, marketing and market intelligence company focused on Southeast Asia. Originally from the UK, Hannah studied French and Classics at Oxford before working across China, Malaysia, outbound travel, B2B sales, travel tech, market representation and tourism research. She is also co-host of the Southeast Asia Travel Show. Organisations Referenced Pear Anderson – https://www.pearanderson.com Report: The Evolving Tourism Workforce: Human Capital Development in APAC – https://www.pata.org/research-q1v63g6n2dw/p/human-capital-development-in-apac Southeast Asia Travel Show – https://www.theseasiatravelshow.com/ PATA – https://www.pata.org VisitBritain – https://www.visitbritain.org GoQuo – https://www.goquo.com University of Oxford – https://www.ox.ac.ukEpisode Chapters  00:00 – Introduction to Hannah Pearson  02:57 – Hannah’s early life, travel and love of languages  05:48 – Studying at Oxford and spending a year in France  08:42 – Teaching in China and travelling home via the Trans-Siberian Railway  11:24 – Returning to the UK and starting corporate life  14:14 – Moving to Malaysia and entering the travel industry  16:58 – Building an outbound travel team in Kuala Lumpur  19:51 – Sales, representation and building networks across Southeast Asia  22:33 – Cultural awareness and market differences in Southeast Asian travel  24:01 – Navigating language, culture and practical challenges on the road  26:15 – Moving into the travel startup world  28:01 – Learning travel tech, dynamic packaging and airline partnerships  29:17 – The reality of entrepreneurship in tourism  31:19 – Launching Pear Anderson and choosing independence  34:00 – How COVID reshaped the business  36:31 – Creating a weekly Southeast Asia travel intelligence resource  38:04 – Growing Pear Anderson and building industry influence  40:31 – Workforce challenges, education and industry disconnects  46:21 – Passion, wages and retaining people in tourism  50:24 – Hannah’s final reflections

    52 min
  2. Carmen Bold: From Bungy Jumping to Supporting Entrepreneurs, my Tourism Career, Built One Opportunity at a Time

    7 MAY

    Carmen Bold: From Bungy Jumping to Supporting Entrepreneurs, my Tourism Career, Built One Opportunity at a Time

    Episode Description This one flips the script. For the first time on Tourism Matters, Carmen moves from host to guest, with Sarah Jane Tilbury taking the reins. What unfolds is not a polished career narrative. It’s a real one. From retail floors to reservations desks, bungy platforms to Rugby World Cup operations, entrepreneurship to industry capability work - Carmen’s 25-year career is built on instinct, movement, and saying yes to opportunity. There’s no linear path here. But there is a pattern. Follow your gut. Stay close to the industry. Take the next interesting step. This episode pulls back the curtain on what a tourism career actually looks like - and why the industry has far more depth, opportunity, and longevity than people give it credit for. What You’ll Take Away  Why tourism careers rarely follow a straight path — and why that’s a strength  How early decisions (and non-decisions) shape long-term career direction  What working across Australia and New Zealand teaches you about the industry  The reality of frontline roles — and why they accelerate learning fast  Lessons from major events like the Rugby World Cup 2011 The difference between having experience and building capability  Why entrepreneurship is a sharper teacher than most jobs  The hidden career pathways most people don’t see in tourism  Why the industry has a workforce perception problem  How human connection — not systems — defines great tourism experiences About Sarah Jane Tilbury Sarah Jane Tilbury is an experienced tourism and operations leader with a background spanning transport, experiences, and team leadership across Australia and the UK. She brings a sharp operational lens, a strong understanding of people and performance, and just enough humour to keep Carmen on her toes. Organisations & Platforms Referenced SeaLink: www.sealink.com.auAdventure Tours Australia: www.adventuretours.com.au/AJ Hackett Bungy: www.bungy.co.nz/Tourism Holdings Limited: https://www.thlonline.com/Kiwi Experience: https://www.kiwiexperience.com/Destination Southern Tasmania: https://southerntasmania.com.au/ Tourism Matters Careers (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/company/tourism-matters-careers/ carmenbold.com: https://www.carmenbold.com/Episode Chapters 00:00 – Introduction and role reversal with Sarah Jane Tilbury  02:00 – Following instinct and staying connected in the industry  07:00 – Early career decisions and entering tourism  10:00 – First roles in reservations and industry exposure  17:00 – Moving to New Zealand and adventure tourism  22:00 – Bungy, celebrities, and unexpected moments  29:00 – Rugby World Cup and large-scale event operations  32:00 – Operational leadership and career progression  39:00 – Entrepreneurship and the reality of building a business  44:00 – Industry development, mentoring, and education  50:00 – Why Tourism Matters exists  54:00 – Workforce challenges and industry perception  58:00 – The role of people in delivering experiences  61:00 – Advice for emerging professionals  64:00 – Final reflections on career, industry, and opportunity

    1hr 5min
  3. Tabetha Beggs: Building a Tourism Career Through Curiosity, Risk and Storytelling

    29 APR

    Tabetha Beggs: Building a Tourism Career Through Curiosity, Risk and Storytelling

    Tabetha Beggs hasn’t followed a straight path - no, no. In this episode of Tourism Matters, Carmen sits down with Tabetha Beggs, Tourism Experiences Lead at Destination Perth, to explore a career shaped by curiosity, risk-taking, and a willingness to step into opportunities before feeling fully ready. From early ambitions in the arts to roles across tourism, local government, and destination development, Tabetha shares how each experience - expected or not - has contributed to where she is today. This is a conversation about backing yourself, listening deeply to communities, and understanding that tourism is ultimately about people and stories. What You’ll Take Away Why applying for jobs you’re not “qualified” for can change your careerThe role of lived experience in shaping tourism professionalsWhy community voice matters in destination marketingHow regional tourism organisations are evolving beyond marketingThe value of saying yes to unexpected opportunitiesWhy no experience is ever wasted — even the ones that don’t make sense at the timeThe importance of storytelling in tourism and place-makingAbout Tabetha Beggs Tabetha is the Tourism Experiences Lead at Destination Perth, with a career spanning tourism, arts, local government, and destination development. She has previously held roles with Tourism Western Australia and the City of Perth, and is deeply passionate about community engagement, storytelling, and creating meaningful tourism experiences. Tabetha is also an active mentor, supporting emerging leaders through the Women in Tourism & Hospitality Mentorship Program. Connecting with Tabetha LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tabetha-beggs-a57a2771/ Organisations Referenced Destination Perth: https://www.destinationperth.com.au/ Tourism Western Australia: https://www.westernaustralia.com/en/pages/home Royal Society of Arts: https://www.thersa.org/ Episode Chapters 00:00 – Introduction to Tabetha Beggs 00:30 – From cheese counter to career beginnings 01:20 – Applying for roles before you’re ready 02:16 – Travel, perspective, and curiosity 03:51 – Growing up in Perth Hills 06:43 – Early career ambitions and work experience 09:47 – Arts, theatre, and life experience 12:51 – The unexpected value of early jobs 16:16 – Moving to the UK and career pivots 18:39 – Taking risks and saying yes 20:35 – Why you should apply anyway 22:34 – Working across the UK in exhibitions 25:00 – Returning to Australia and career challenges 29:34 – Kalgoorlie and unexpected opportunities 36:30 – Transition into tourism 41:28 – Strategic roles and industry involvement 45:00 – Community voice in tourism 55:00 – Mentorship and career growth 60:43 – Networking and volunteering 66:18 – Open-minded travel and learning 68:43 – Storytelling in tourism 75:14 – The evolving role of RTOs 77:30 – Final reflections

    1hr 9min
  4. Birgitta March: Languages, Academia & Why Tour Guides Are More Important Than Ever

    21 APR

    Birgitta March: Languages, Academia & Why Tour Guides Are More Important Than Ever

    Episode Description In this episode of Tourism Matters, Carmen sits down with Birgitta March, a tourism lecturer, PhD researcher, and former international tour guide. Exploring a career that spans continents, sectors, and decades. From guiding high-end clients in the US to interpreting across Australia and now shaping future professionals in higher education, Birgitta shares a grounded and insightful perspective on the tourism industry. The conversation dives into the evolving role of tour guides, the importance of language and cultural intelligence, and the challenges facing the sector today — from workforce perception to technology shifts. Birgitta also shares her current PhD research focused on bridging gaps between tourism education and Indigenous communities, raising important questions about how we teach and represent knowledge in the industry. What You’ll Take Away From This Episode  Why tour guiding is more complex (and valuable) than it’s perceived  The role of language, interpretation, and cultural intelligence in tourism  What makes a great guide - and why extroversion isn’t required  The real challenges facing tour guides today (pay, hours, recognition, tech)  How tourism careers can evolve across guiding, events, and education  Why human connection still matters in an AI-driven world  Insights into tourism education and student pathways  The importance of ethical, community-informed knowledge in tourism training About Birgitta March Birgitta March is a lecturer in Tourism and Hospitality Management at William Angliss Institute and a PhD researcher focused on tourism education. Her career spans international tour guiding, interpreting, business events, and education. She has worked across Europe, the United States, and Australia, guiding high-end clients, technical delegations, and cultural tours. Birgitta’s research explores the social identity of tour guides and the role of education in shaping a more inclusive and informed tourism industry - particularly in relation to Indigenous communities. Connect with Birgitta on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/birgitta-march-tourism-expertise/ Organisations Referenced William Angliss Institute: https://www.angliss.edu.au/Tour Guides Australia: https://tga.org.au/Episode Chapters 00:00 – Introduction and episode overview  00:23 – Birgitta’s background in tourism and guiding  03:20 – Growing up in Belgium and early influences  06:40 – Studying languages and entering tourism  13:00 – Moving to the US and guiding high-end clients  20:45 – Transition to Australia and early tour guiding challenges  24:55 – Technical tours and interpreting across industries  30:34 – Moving into teaching and education  34:21 – Research on tour guide identity and belonging  36:25 – Key challenges facing tour guides today  41:12 – AI, tourism, and the role of human connection  48:45 – Transition to higher education and PhD research  50:24 – Bridging tourism education and Indigenous knowledge  55:43 – Final reflections on tourism careers

    1hr 1min
  5. Brad Rowe: The Art + Science Behind Memorable Tourism Experiences

    15 APR

    Brad Rowe: The Art + Science Behind Memorable Tourism Experiences

    In this episode, Carmen is joined by Brad Rowe, a tourism consultant with deep experience across product development, infrastructure, and destination management. We explore his journey from growing up in New Zealand to working on major tourism projects in Queenstown and internationally, including large-scale gondola and chairlift developments. Brad shares practical insights on experience design, what actually drives return on investment in tourism, and how operators can create moments that guests remember and share. What You’ll Take Away From This Episode  What “experience design” really means in a tourism context  How visitor experience directly links to revenue and ROI  Behind-the-scenes insights into major Queenstown tourism developments  The shift from employment to consulting in the tourism industry  What separates average experiences from truly memorable ones  Why operational detail matters just as much as big ideas About Brad Rowe Brad Rowe is a tourism consultant and the founder of Tourism x Design, where he helps tourism businesses and destinations create innovative visitor experiences. With more than 15 years in the visitor economy, Brad has worked across tourism development, infrastructure, and destination strategy - helping launch new tourism concepts, scale visitor experiences, and support destinations to build more resilient tourism economies. The career path he followed was not a conventional one - he took some leaps of faith and rode some waves of tourism growth in mountain biking, chairlifts, tech and destination management. Today he works as an independent advisor focused on experience design, product development, and commercial strategy. Connect With Brad on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-rowe-nz/ Organisations Referenced Brad Rowe Website: https://bradrowe.me/Skyline: https://skylineenterprises.co.nz/University of Otago: https://www.otago.ac.nz/Maverick Tourism: https://maverick-tourism.com/Doppelmayr Group: https://www.doppelmayr.com/en/ Tourism Bay of Plenty: https://www.bayofplentynz.com/ Watershed Lake Sauna Queenstown: https://watershedsaunas.com/Episode Chapters 00:00 – Introduction and guest welcome  01:53 – Queenstown’s unique appeal and personal stories  02:44 – Travel habits and early influences  04:38 – Childhood and education path  07:47 – Choosing tourism as a career  10:42 – Early career and internship experience  15:20 – Skyline Queenstown and mountain biking development  20:28 – Gondolas, chairlifts, and infrastructure expansion  24:24 – International projects and Austrian partnerships  30:29 – Transition to consulting  35:20 – Tourism product development and destination management  37:49 – Visitor experience and ROI  47:22 – Final thoughts and industry advice

    52 min
  6. Beáta Szablics: From Hungary to Antarctica, and a New Way of Thinking About Tourism

    9 APR

    Beáta Szablics: From Hungary to Antarctica, and a New Way of Thinking About Tourism

    Episode Description In this episode of Tourism Matters, Carmen Bold sits down with Beáta Szablics, whose career has taken her from a small town in Hungary to cruise ships, global product development, launching a luxury expedition brand, and ultimately Antarctica. Beáta shares how a non-linear career — starting in animal husbandry and moving through tourism operations and wellbeing — has shaped the way she now approaches experience design. This conversation explores how personal experiences, skills, and interests compound over time, and how they can ultimately position someone to create entirely new types of tourism experiences. It also opens up a broader discussion on the growing role of wellbeing in tourism, and what it actually takes to translate that into meaningful, place-based experiences. What You’ll Take Away From This Episode  Why no part of your career is ever wasted  How Beáta transitioned from animal care into global tourism  What she learned from 15 years in the cruise industry  The reality of building tourism products from scratch  What it was like managing a luxury camp in Antarctica  Why travellers are increasingly seeking deeper, more felt experiences  How wellbeing is starting to influence tourism in a more meaningful way About Beáta Szablics Beáta Szablics is a tourism professional with over two decades of global experience across tour operations, cruise, and product development. She has worked across multiple continents, led high-performing teams, and played a key role in launching new tourism products and brands, including a luxury expedition cruise line. Alongside her tourism career, Beáta has trained in a range of wellbeing modalities including forest bathing, embodiment coaching, and deep rest practices. She now works at the intersection of tourism and wellbeing, supporting businesses and destinations to create more meaningful, experience-led offerings. Organisations Referenced  Beáta Szablics Episode Chapters 00:00 Introduction and personal background  01:30 Childhood and early aspirations  02:29 Education and career beginnings  04:58 Transition into tourism  07:41 First role in tourism  09:36 Growth and early challenges  11:47 Entering the cruise industry  14:37 Understanding shore excursions  17:24 Career reflections and growth  25:06 Realities of cruise life  27:23 Moving from sea to shore-based roles  30:00 Building experiences from scratch  30:48 COVID and career reflection  33:36 Launching a luxury cruise brand  42:24 Antarctica experience  47:09 Wellbeing and tourism  48:20 Current work and direction

    1hr 3min
  7. Thomas Worry: From Seasonal Work to a Sustainable Tourism Career

    31 MAR

    Thomas Worry: From Seasonal Work to a Sustainable Tourism Career

    Episode Description In this episode of Tourism Matters, Carmen Bold speaks with Thomas Worry, a Canadian tourism professional whose career has been built across seasonal roles, international experience, and corporate tourism operations. Thomas shares how he navigated working across Canada’s Yukon — from guest services and RV rentals to guiding Northern Lights tours — and what it really takes to build a career in an industry defined by seasonality. The conversation explores the realities of tourism careers that don’t follow a straight path, the importance of proactively creating opportunities, and how networks often matter more than formal job pathways. Thomas also reflects on the bigger picture — from sustainability and crisis recovery to the growing need for stronger alignment between education and industry — and what this means for the future of tourism careers. What You'll Take Away From This Episode • What a tourism career actually looks like in practice — not theory • How to navigate seasonality through multiple roles and income streams • Why career progression in tourism is driven by initiative, not structure • The role of education alongside hands-on experience • How sustainability and industry challenges are shaping future careers About Thomas Thomas Worry is a Canadian tourism professional with experience spanning seasonal tourism operations, international travel, and corporate roles. He has worked across a wide range of tourism settings, including guest services, RV rentals, cruise tourism, and guided Northern Lights experiences in Canada’s Yukon. Thomas has built his career by combining practical, on-the-ground experience with formal study in tourism management, giving him a well-rounded perspective on both the realities of the industry and its future direction. His work and interests focus on sustainability, industry development, and the evolving relationship between tourism education and real-world application. Connect with Thomas on LinkedIn Connect with Carmen on LinkedIn Organisations Referenced Royal Roads University: https://www.royalroads.ca/ Yukon Tourism: https://travelyukon.com/ Episode Chapters 00:54 Thomas’s Background and Entry into Tourism 03:09 Navigating Seasonal Work in the Yukon 07:52 Working Across Cruise and Winter Tourism 10:50 Building Networks and Creating Opportunities 16:48 Education, Career Planning and Industry Entry 20:55 Working in Remote Tourism Environments 29:01 The Growth of Winter Tourism and Northern Lights Experiences 35:01 Soft Skills and Career Development in Tourism 43:45 Moving into Corporate Roles and Career Progression 55:40 Sustainability, Industry Challenges and Future Thinking

    1hr 10min
  8. Linda Tillman: Why Regional Events Are Struggling (And What Needs to Change)

    24 MAR

    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
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Carmen Bold
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Tourism Matters
  • Show Website
    Tourism Matters