TRC Tourism

25/07/2024

Embarking on a business plan can seem daunting, especially when culture and community are at its heart.

For First Nations tourism businesses, the journey is not just about profitability; it's about preserving culture, strengthening communities, and nurturing sustainable futures. TRC Tourism understands this unique intersection of cultural obligations and business needs, offering tailored strategies that honour traditions while driving economic growth. By listening, learning, and adapting, we ensure that every plan reflects the values of its people and place, paving a path not just to success, but to a thriving legacy that benefits all.

Discover more below:
https://trctourism.com/first-nations-tourism-business-plans-paving-a-pathway-for-success/

17/07/2024

A recent article from BBC News explores the effects of short-term rental accommodation (STRA) on local communities amid growing concerns over overtourism. As many areas face housing shortages and community disruptions, it’s essential to weigh the economic benefits of STRA against its impact on neighborhood character and affordability.

With cities around the globe adopting various regulations, what can we learn to better manage tourism in a way that supports local needs?

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/short-term-rental-accommodation-trc-opinion-piece-trc-tourism-nx6ic/

12/07/2024

Expressions of Interest to Host the 2025 Sustainable Trails Conference Australia.

TRC Tourism is welcoming Expressions of Interest (EOI) from destinations that would like to host the 2025 Sustainable Trails Conference.

Hosting a Sustainable Trails Conference provides an opportunity to attract business investment, tourists and increase economic impact into your local economy. With greater involvement, interaction and engagement, hosting our conference is a unique and rewarding way to showcase your LGA.

To register your interest to be a host destination and download the EOI package, please visit:
https://trctourism.com/sustainable-trails-conference-2025/

12/07/2024

According to Tourism Research Australia's State of the Industry report, there’s a growing international demand for Aboriginal visitor experiences. In 2023, nearly 1 million international trips to Australia included engaging in First Nations activities, with 1 in 7 international visitors taking part.

Over 583,500 travellers experienced Aboriginal tourism in NSW alone, highlighting the rich cultural connections being made. Let's continue to celebrate and promote these unique experiences that showcase the beauty and diversity of First Nations cultures!

Source: Destination NSW

10/07/2024

The TRC team is proud to announce the release of our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) during National NAIDOC Week 2024. This plan is not merely a document; it is a testament to our unwavering commitment to fostering meaningful relationships and working purposefully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This REFLECT RAP will support our TRC team and partners with formalising the foundations for our reconciliation journey. It will inform and empower our current team with the skills and approaches they need to support meaningful reconciliation engagement. It will encourage the growth of our team with additional First Nations tourism specialists and create opportunities future internships and training.

We would like to express our special thanks to Tracey Diddams, TRC Senior Consultant, for her pivotal role in crafting the RAP, and to Victor Cooper of Ayal Aboriginal Tours Kakadu for his invaluable support as a member of our RAP Working Group. We also extend our thanks to our talented graphic design artists Samantha Campbell and Gabrielle Fry from Coolamon Creative.

To view our Reconciliation Action Plan, please visit: https://trctourism.com/about/reconciliation-action-plan/

TRC’s RAP is endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, for more information on starting your own reconciliation journey visit: https://www.reconciliation.org.au/reconciliation-action-plans/

10/07/2024

TRC Senior Consultant Alistair Henchman met with Board members of the Tubba Gah Aboriginal Corporation to discuss the implementation of their plans for the rehabilitation and activation of Jinchilla Gardens, near Terramungamine just north of Dubbo. The site, on the banks of the Macquarie River, already hosts a conference venue and plans are in place to expand operations to create more visitor experiences and other business opportunities. TRC are assisting Tubba Gah achieve their goal of making the place the heart of their community and maximise benefits to the community.

02/07/2024

Director Janet Mackay was part of a panel at the Outback Way Forum held in Canberra on Sunday & Monday. The Outback Way is the 2700km road crossing two states and the NT linking Laverton in WA with Winton in Queensland.

After many years of advocating, funds for the sealing of the entire length were allocated last year! The Outback Way Forum focused on what needs to be done now to ensure this huge project delivers benefits right across Australia including benefits to communities along the way.

TRC has worked with the Aboriginal communities and pastoral stations along the Central Australian part of the journey to identify their aspirations for tourism and how they would like to be involved in supporting tourism which will be an important area to progress going forward.

28/06/2024

Cities all over the world are getting smarter. 💡

Cities worldwide are undergoing a transformative shift towards smart tourism, leveraging the Internet of Things (IoT) to enhance both efficiency and visitor experiences. IoT refers to a network where interconnected devices share data, which is then analysed to optimise various sectors of urban life.

Smart tourism integrates IoT devices and sensors into destinations, aiming to streamline operations and enrich traveller interactions. This enables smart cities to effectively use data analytics, managing traffic flow, optimising energy use, and providing real-time updates on events, transport options, and local attractions.

Barcelona, Spain serves as a leading example of smart tourism implementation. The city has deployed a comprehensive smart city infrastructure, including IoT sensors that monitor traffic patterns, air quality, noise levels, waste management, and energy usage in real-time. Advanced data analytics processes this information to improve urban management and sustainability efforts.

As smart cities increasingly integrate IoT for infrastructure development and data analysis, building trust regarding data management and security is essential.

28/06/2024

Manawatia a Matariki! 🌟
As the stars of Matariki rise, we celebrate the Māori New Year, a time for reflection, renewal, and connection with our whānau (family) and whenua (land). Let’s come together to honour our heritage, remember those who have passed, and share our aspirations for the future.
Ngā mihi o Matariki, te tau hou Māori

21/06/2024

Seychelles is paving the way for sustainable tourism! 🌿

TRC Penny Spoelder and the Seychelles Tourism Department with support from Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie are currently developing a new Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework. The framework is designed to set out the vision, policies and actions needed to transform tourism to make it more resilient, prosperous and inclusive of communities of Seychelles.

Read more: https://www.unwto.org/news/seychelles-tourism-department-charts-a-path-to-sustainable-tourism-with-new-policy-framework

20/06/2024

TRC Director Janet Mackay and consultant Zofimo Corbafo were leading a consultation session with tour operators in the beautiful Ailleu and Maubisse of Timor-Leste region today. There is a lot on offer in the region, stunning landscapes, a collaborative industry and amazing coffee! ☕

19/06/2024

Meet our incredible team driving tourism innovation across New Zealand!

Kylie Ruwhiu-Karawana, Managing Director, based in Dunedin.
Passionate about values-based tourism, Kylie excels in stakeholder management, visitor strategy, and Māori tourism experiences. Her expertise lies in crafting compelling narratives that resonate globally.

Tracy Johnston, Senior Consultant, based in Marlborough.
With 30 years in the tourism sector, Tracy is an experienced business leader and director. She fosters unity among diverse stakeholders and drives business growth through effective marketing and development strategies.

Debby van der Scheer, Senior Consultant, based in Raglan.
Bringing over two decades of experience in sustainable tourism, Debby specialises in research, product development, and stakeholder collaboration across Asia-Pacific. Her insights shape regenerative tourism practices for thriving communities.

Together, Kylie, Tracy, and Debby are at the forefront of sustainable tourism in New Zealand, get in touch to explore how our innovative solutions and sustainable practices can help your destination.

19/06/2024

Kylie Ruwhiu-Karawana explores the transformative shift from Destination Management Planning to Destination Stewardship Frameworks, where social, cultural, environmental, and economic well-being converge with community aspirations, shaping a more sustainable and inclusive future for tourism.

Words by: Kylie Ruwhiu-Karawana In the ever-evolving landscape of tourism, the shift from plans developed through traditional Destination Management Planning (DMPs) methodology, to those formed through evolving Destination Stewardship Frameworks (DSFs) marks what I consider to be a significant turni...

19/06/2024

TRC Directors Janet and Kylie are in Timor Leste this week evaluating the tourism support program that has been delivered by The Asia Foundation for the NZ Government. The support program has included a range of initiatives and has been delivered in the capital Dili as well as the regional localities of Alieu and Maubisse.

The project involved interviews and meetings with diverse range of groups that have been involved in the program to understand how it has helped them and what would be valuable in moving forward.

A range of new experiences have bene developed many related to the country’s strength in the production of coffee, but also new experiences delivering on the country’s Explore the Undiscovered brand including mountain biking, canyoning and other nature-based adventures. Kylie and Janet are exploring Alieu and Maubisse in the mountains this weekend.

Watch on YouTube ‘Trails to a Better Future in Timor-Leste (East Timor)’. A film by Dave Inabinet and Amin Barreto.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPfGtPgADyk
"Maubisse" is a cinematic exploration set in the heart of Timor-Leste, focusing on the burgeoning mountain biking scene in the Maubisse region. This film intertwines the adventure of mountain biking with Timor-Leste's struggle for independence and its journey towards economic development and cultural preservation.

16/06/2024

Sustainable Trails Conference 2024 Field Trip Highlight: Delegates explored the historic Bannockburn Sluicings with guide Terry Davis, learning the importance of storytelling and community. The tour ended with a picnic and regenerative viticulture talk at Te Kano Estate. 🍇🍷

12/06/2024

Sustainable Trails Conference 2024 Field Trip Highlight: Delegates experienced spectacular riding across a 40km mountain bike trail network at Bike Glendhu which offered breathtaking views of Lake Wānaka, Glendhu Bay, and the Matukituki River. Delegates learned best practices in mountain bike park management from Operations Manager Kelsey Mackay at the community-focused base area with a café and beer garden. Then it was time to hit the trails beginning with shuttle access to the summit to take in the epic views.

11/06/2024

Mount Isa sits in a beautiful and vast ancient landscape, met up close by big industry in mining and cattle stations. Today TRC Consultants Chris Rose and Alli Anderson got to take it all in on a flight with Partick from Northern Territory Air Services as they think through the big questions about how to diversify the city’s economy through evolving tourism opportunities. Another fantastic day in the office. ✈️

09/06/2024

Sustainable Trails Conference 2024 Field Trip Highlight: Delegates explored Central Otago's scenic Lake Dunstan Trail on e-bikes! 🚴‍♂️ This 42km trail, with 550m of vertical gain, features the impressive Cairnmuir Ladder and stunning hand-stacked rock walls. Delegates experienced trail construction insights from Project Manager Tim Dennis, visited Carrick Winery, and admired innovative trail techniques.

09/06/2024

Following the tourism community and stakeholder sessions held in May, TRC Tourism is heading back to Mount Isa to share their findings with local stakeholders.

Locals are invited to attend the community open sessions, where you will get to find out about TRC Tourism's findings and provide feedback. This sessions will be facilitated by TRC Tourism senior consultants Allison Anderson and Chris Rose.

✅ Session 1 details:
◼ Date: Monday 10 June
◼ Time: 12 noon
◼ Venue: The Stack, Mount Isa Civic Centre

✅ Session 2 details:
◼ Date: Monday 10 June
◼ Time: 6pm
◼ Venue: The Stack, Mount Isa Civic Centre

No need to RSVP - just come along!

Didn’t attend the sessions in May? We would still love to hear about your vision for Mount Isa and how tourism can benefit our community. Email [email protected] or call 4747 3200 for more information.

07/06/2024

The Pacific region is renowned for its rich marine biodiversity, hosting a myriad of species such as whales, dolphins, sharks, rays, turtles, dugongs, seabirds, fish, invertebrates. Tourism is the lifeblood of many Pacific nations, creating jobs and generating crucial income. Marine tourism is essential for small islands and coastal communities, offering visitors unique encounters with marine wildlife and the opportunity to explore coral reefs and coastlines.

The long-term success of tour operators, hotels, cruise ships, and the entire tourism supply chain relies on maintaining the Pacific’s marine environment.

TRC is proud to be partnering with the Pacific BioScapes Programme, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) in developing the Pacific Marine Tourism Guidelines.

The guidelines will assist marine tourism operators to deliver quality tourism experiences and protect marine biodiversity. They serve as a resource for enhancing marine tourism practices and ultimately supporting the sustainable management of the Pacific’s marine ecosystems.

“The Pacific’s marine biodiversity is the tourism industry’s most crucial business partner—it's in our best interest to help the industry and Pacific communities protect it.”

Happy !

One Ocean,
One Climate,
One Future – Together.

World Ocean Day

06/06/2024

Yesterday marked the conclusion of the Global Sustainable Tourism Summit. Pictured is Janet Mackay leading a discussion on Sustainable Destinations. The TRC team has gained valuable insights, and we extend a big thank you to Ecotourism Australia for organising such an inspiring conference!

Here are some key takeaways from Ecotourism Australia:

🌿75% of Wild Adventures Melbourne WAMs visitors mention their sustainability practices in their post trip reviews.
🌿Sustainable Technology (sustech) is an emerging area in today’s world. Understanding our impact is crucial, and data plays a key role in this. You can’t improve what you can’t measure.
🌿Hotel industry is facing increased pressure to address environmental challenges. Accor has set an ambitious goal of having all 406 properties certified by 2025.
🌿Indigenous engagement isn’t just about talking to local communities it’s about listening. “Start somewhere.”
🌿Growing sustainability means balancing economic, social and environmental factors in pursuing industry growth.
🌿 Wholesalers are looking for eco credentials and they need to be validated, meaning businesses and products being certified.
🌿Practical steps for purposeful indigenous engagement: empower people, engage early, build resilience, cultural enrichment, transference of knowledge & building trust.
🌿Top tips for accessible tourism: invest in information provision, communication is key, engage with accessible community & improve on your accessibility over time.

05/06/2024

Today marks day one of the Global Sustainable Tourism Summit 2024, where industry leaders Janet Mackay, Kylie Ruwhiu-Karawana, and Penny Spoelder are coming together to shape the future of sustainable travel.

The Global Sustainable Tourism Summit will explore the theme ‘People, Planet, Place, Purpose’, delving into how all sectors of the visitor economy can address the four pillars of sustainability: positive environmental, cultural, and socio-economic impact, and sustainable business management. Tomorrow, Janet Mackay is leading a session on Sustainable Destinations and Kylie Ruwhiu-Karawana on Collaborative Tourism with Indigenous Communities.

"Collaborative tourism with Indigenous communities isn't just about sharing experiences; it's about honouring cultures, preserving traditions, and fostering mutual respect. Together, we can create authentic and sustainable tourism experiences that benefit both visitors and host communities alike." - Kylie Ruwhiu-Karawana

For more information on the Global Sustainable Tourism Summit 2024: https://www.ecotourism.org.au/conference

05/06/2024

Big Congratulations to Isabella (Izzy) on graduating with her law degree from Griffith University! As she embarks on her exciting journey of travel, we bid her farewell from the TRC team. Izzy has been an invaluable asset to the team working as an Internal Project and Admin Support. TRC wishes her all the best in her future endeavours and can't wait to see what amazing things she accomplishes next. Bon voyage Izzy! ✈️

04/06/2024

The TRC Sustainable Trails Conference is featured in the May/June edition of Meeting Newz. It’s a great write-up highlighting the destination and venue, Check out the full publication here: https://www.meetingnewz.co.nz/online-magazine/2024/may-june-2024?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Meeting%20Newz%20MayJune%20%20MEETINGS%20Preview&utm_content=Meeting%20Newz%20MayJune%20%20MEETINGS%20Preview+CID_085fbc05d70365ab17319dbba988373c&utm_source=Email%20marketing%20CM&utm_term=click%20here

31/05/2024

🌍 Happy World Trails Day! 🌿

Today, we celebrate the incredible role that trails play in our world - from promoting health and well-being to boosting local economies. It's crucial that governments prioritise ongoing investment, maintenance, and preservation of these invaluable paths. Trails are not just routes; they're a global heritage that touch on spirituality, sports, and human happiness.

When we're not at work, our TRC team is outdoors exploring trails. Here are some snapshots of us exploring some of our favourite trails!

🥾🌲

31/05/2024

Trails provide a unique platform for storytelling, providing an immersive experience of connecting with nature from the perspective of First Nations people. Trails have connected First Nations people across Australia for traditional practices, through seasonal changes and the following of Ancestral stories and songlines for generations.

Appropriate First Nations-led storytelling and knowledge sharing on trails can enable truth-telling, continued connection to Country and culture, cultural acknowledgement and a pathway to healing and reconciliation.

31/05/2024

As part of National Reconciliation Week, the TRC team met online with Minitja man and Traditional Owner for Kakadu National Park, Victor Cooper as our lunchtime guest speaker.

Victor had an incredible story to share about his Ancestors, growing up in the remote Northern Territory and learning about culture and Country. When asked about his perspective on reconciliation, Victor said it was about respect, coming together as one and treating everybody the same. A key takeaway from the discussion for the TRC team was that cultural knowledge should be at the heart of everything that happens. Listening to and learning from First Nations people about the past and present helps us work together towards Reconciliation, Recognition and Respect in the future.

"As we prepare to launch our Reconciliation Action Plan in the coming weeks, TRC is committed to fostering meaningful change and contributing to the reconciliation movement. Our RAP isn't just a document; it's a pledge to create tangible benefits for First Nations peoples and cultivate a workplace environment grounded in cultural safety and respect." Says Kylie Ruwhiu Karawana, TRC Managing Director.