In this compelling episode of the Tourism Hub Podcast, host Despina Karatzias sits down with Mark Olsen, CEO of Tropical North Queensland, to discuss the critical importance of readiness and resilience in the tourism industry. As regions across Australia prepare for the summer season, Mark shares invaluable insights into the necessity of proactive planning and mental health support for tourism businesses facing climate challenges.

Mark recounts the devastating impact of record-breaking floods in 2023, highlighting the urgent need for the industry to not only focus on attracting visitors but also ensuring their safety. He stresses the importance of holistic support for tourism businesses, considering both financial stability and mental wellbeing, especially in the face of increasing crises.

The conversation delves into the significance of accreditation in crisis management, with Mark advocating for preparedness through the "Get Ready Week" initiative. He underscores the need for clear communication strategies and media engagement to accurately portray the resilience and recovery of affected areas.

Tune in to learn how tourism operators can build robust networks and plans to navigate future challenges, ensuring they are not just surviving but thriving in the ever-evolving tourism landscape.

01:11 - October is Get Ready Week for Queensland's tourism industry

02:51 - Australian Regional Tourism Collective meeting to discuss response to December flooding

08:57 - The tourism industry needs to take preparedness seriously ahead of December 23rd

11:03 - Mark: The media always focus on the negative. So we need to be willing to challenge that

Connect with Despina Karatzias:

Website: Institute of Excellence

LinkedIn: Despina Karatzias

Instagram: @despinakaratzias

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Show hosted by Despina Karatzias and brought to you by Tourism Hub in association with Institute Of Excellence.

Stay resilient, stay informed, and keep pushing the boundaries of excellence in tourism!

In this innovative episode of the Tourism Hub Podcast, host Despina Karatzias introduces a groundbreaking approach by delivering the episode through her AI-powered avatar, DespinAI. Episode 50 marks a milestone as Despina explores the transformative power of artificial intelligence in the tourism industry, offering practical insights into how AI can revolutionize marketing and operational efficiencies for tourism operators.

Despina delves into the myriad ways AI can enhance business operations, from content creation and automating social media interactions to managing online reputations and generating captivating videos. She emphasizes the importance of balancing automation with the human touch, ensuring that AI serves as a tool to amplify authenticity and connection in tourism experiences.

Listeners will discover four actionable AI applications to boost marketing and day-to-day operations: simplifying content creation with AI tools like ChatGPT, automating visitor messaging and social media, managing visitor feedback efficiently with Review Pro, and creating engaging video content with platforms like Lumen 5 and Capcut. Despina also highlights the pros and cons of integrating AI into business operations, providing a balanced view of its potential and challenges.

As Despina shares her journey experimenting with AI, she inspires tourism professionals to explore these technologies, demonstrating that AI isn't just for big businesses but is accessible and beneficial for all. With an action plan to kickstart your AI journey, this episode is a call to embrace innovation and explore new possibilities in the tourism sector.

00:55 - Using AI to improve marketing and communications can boost efficiency and customer engagement

08:00 - AI powered platforms make it easy to create professional videos without hassle

09:19 - The Pros and Cons of AI in Business Operations AI technology is reshaping businesses

14:56 - Small business owners can embrace AI to scale their presence and explore new possibilities

16:05 - Actionable steps to help you start your AI journey

Connect with Despina Karatzias:

Website: Institute of Excellence

LinkedIn: Despina Karatzias

Instagram: @despinakaratzias

Follow us on social media for updates:

Facebook: Institute of Excellence | Tourism Hub Podcast

Instagram: @instituteofexcellencehq | @tourismhubpodcast | @despinakaratzias

YouTube: Institute of Excellence | Despina Karatzias

Show hosted by Despina Karatzias and brought to you by Tourism Hub in association with Institute Of Excellence.

Stay curious, stay inspired, and most importantly, stay human!

In this insightful episode of the Tourism Hub Podcast, host Despina Karatzias delves into the evolving experience economy in Australia and New Zealand. With a focus on the latest report from Arrival, Despina unpacks key trends, challenges, and opportunities for tourism experience makers in the region. As she navigates through the comprehensive insights from the report, she reflects on what these findings mean for businesses across the region.

Despina discusses the importance of the experience economy, especially in the post-pandemic landscape where local and domestic tourism has rebounded more quickly than international markets. She highlights the critical nature of adapting to new trends, such as the rise in online and mobile bookings, and the necessity for businesses to leverage digital marketing and mobile optimisation.

The episode also covers the adoption of dynamic pricing models, which allow businesses to maximise profitability during peak times and encourage bookings during quieter periods. Despina emphasises the need for small tourism operators to embrace technology and reduce reliance on OTAs to remain competitive.

Tune in to discover actionable insights and strategies, including the use of booking software and channel managers, to optimise operations and improve business performance. Despina wraps up with key takeaways and an action plan designed to help tourism operators thrive in this ever-evolving landscape.

01:43 - Breaking down the data: Key takeaways from the arrival report

03:33 - The pivotal role of the experience economy in modern tourism

04:54 - Survey of 318 operators on dynamic pricing across Australia and New Zealand

08:46 - 44% of operators report booking volumes surpassing 2019 levels post-pandemic

10:30 - Half of all operators now use channel managers for efficient booking management

12:59 - Austrade report: 5,000 small tourism businesses projected to close between 2019-2023

15:44 - Reflecting on the evolution of the experience economy in Australia and New Zealand

References:

Arival - The Outlook for Experiences in Australia and New Zealand

Austrade - Tourism Businesses in Australia

Connect with Despina Karatzias:

Website: Institute of Excellence

LinkedIn: Despina Karatzias

Instagram: @despinakaratzias

Follow us on social media for updates:

Facebook: Institute of Excellence | Tourism Hub Podcast

Instagram: @instituteofexcellencehq | @tourismhubpodcast | @despinakaratzias

YouTube: Institute of Excellence | Despina Karatzias

Show hosted by Despina Karatzias and brought to you by Tourism Hub in association with Institute Of Excellence.

Stay curious, stay adventurous, and let's continue building a stronger tourism industry together!