Gavin Mckay on Freedom offered by Relief Management, Planning for the Big Lap & the Impact of Tourism on Regional Australia

Freedom offered by Relief Management, Planning for the Big Lap & the Impact of Tourism on Regional Australia

Gavin McKay and his wife Steph are relief managers, traveling Australia. It’s not something they fell into, it was a meticulously planned life decision, an idea hatched over thirty years ago. However, despite a well-planned itinerary, Gavin and Steph’s journey has switched directions multiple times. Their Big-Lap became more about discovery and adventure, rather than ticking off the towns on …

Bart Easdown on Working with Family, Social Media Diluting the Human Connection & Understanding Employees

95. Bart Easdown on Working with Family, Social Media Diluting the Human Connection & Understanding Employees

This week on the show, Adrian chats with a very special guest, Bart Easdown. Bart is the Operations Manager for all four of Adrian’s holiday parks and the youngest of his brothers. A musician at heart, Bart has felt an underlying pull towards hospitality and tourism-based roles. For the good part of a decade, Bart has tried his hand at …

Hugh Fitzpatrick on Industry Insights, Caravan & Camping Trends & Rebuilding after a Natural Disaster

Industry Insights, Caravan & Camping Trends & Rebuilding after a Natural Disaster

Hugh Fitzpatrick works with Industry Insights at the Caravan Industry Association of Australia (CIAA) and is also the chair for the Young Tourism Network. Hugh is passionate about regional Australia and works hard to provide business owners with actionable insights to help them succeed. I was excited to speak with Hugh about stats and data, and the latest on current …

Hugh Fitzpatrick on Industry Insights, Caravan & Camping Trends & Rebuilding after a Natural Disaster

92. Hugh Fitzpatrick – Tourism Insights, Caravan & Camping Trends & Rebuilding after a Natural Disaster

Hugh Fitzpatrick works with Industry Insights at the Caravan Industry Association of Australia (CIAA) and is also the chair for the Young Tourism Network. Hugh is passionate about regional Australia and works hard to provide business owners with actionable insights to help businesses succeed. On this week’s episode of the ‘That Bad Review’ podcast series, Adrian and Hugh discuss the …

Bert van Spronsen on Traditional Holiday Parks, Four Key Elements of a Successful Park & Focusing on Existing Guests

Traditional Holiday Parks, Four Key Elements of a Successful Park & Focusing on Existing Guests

Bert van Spronsen is the Founder & Managing Director of Kui Parks, a network of over 80 holiday parks across Australia. Kui Parks are carefully chosen against well-researched criteria, and offer facilities similar to those of traditional holiday parks. Bert bought his first camper trailer when he was twenty, upgrading to a caravan two years later.  He admits to learning …

Bert van Spronsen on Traditional Holiday Parks, Four Key Elements of a Successful Park & Focusing on Existing Guests

88. Bert van Spronsen on Traditional Holiday Parks, Four Key Elements of a Successful Park & Focusing on Existing Guests

Bert van Spronsen is the Founder & Managing Director of Kui Parks, a network of over 80 holiday parks across Australia. Parks within the Kui network are carefully chosen against a well-researched criterion, and tend to offer facilities similar to those of traditional holiday parks. On this week’s episode of the ‘That Bad Review’ podcast series, Adrian and Bert have …

Macca - Caravanning and camping

Caravanning and Camping, ‘Anti-Social’ Social Media & What Kids Won’t Learn in School

Craig ‘Macca’ McGown is a host on the Australian travel television show ‘What’s Up Downunder’, which celebrates all things caravanning and camping. I was lucky enough to catch up with Macca for the 80th episode of the ‘That Bad Review’ podcast series. We have a great chat about caravanning and camping and how Macca’s TV career began. We get serious …

Macca - Caravanning and camping

80. Craig ‘Macca’ McGown On Caravanning and Camping, ‘Anti-Social’ Social Media & What Kids Won’t Learn in School

Craig ‘Macca’ McGown is a host on the popular Australian travel television show ‘What’s Up Downunder’, which celebrates all things caravanning and camping. While growing up, Macca’s family holidayed in a caravan or tent. These fun filled trips ignited Macca’s passion for the industry and eventually led him to his dream job. In this week’s episode, Adrian and Macca have …

Photo of Sandi-Kate Hutchins on Increase in Pet Friendly Tourist Parks, Tips for Accommodating Pets & Connecting Guests through Music

Increase in Pet Friendly Tourist Parks, Tips for Accommodating Pets & Connecting Guests through Music

After years of operating council owned caravan parks, in 2015 Sandi-Kate Hutchins and her husband purchased their own park, Prime Pet Friendly Tourist Park in Lakes Entrance, Victoria. The park was run down and only offered a couple of worn cabins to accommodate guests traveling with pets. Over the last four years, Sandi-Kate and her husband have transformed the park. …

Jess Dineen Operations Manager at Noosa River Holiday Park on Empowering staff to make confident decisions

Empowering Staff to Make Confident Decisions, Benefits of the Award Process & Attracting New Target Markets

Jess Dineen, the Operations Manager at Dineen Tourism Management, recently returned from a three-month holiday travelling around Europe. I was keen to chat with Jess for this week’s podcast episode, to find out more about empowering staff so they can confidently make decisions in the absence of key management personnel. We also touch on the importance of taking time away …