In this episode of Inside Downunder, we shine a spotlight on two of tourism’s brightest emerging leaders: Josh Basir, BDM at Journey Beyond and Mithwa Warrier, Project Manager at the Australian Cruise Group. Both bring fresh perspectives, sharp insights and inspiring personal stories of carving out successful careers in a rapidly evolving industry.

In this conversation, we dive into their experiences navigating the tourism industry, from the pivotal challenges that shaped their leadership to their perspectives on artificial intelligence and the future of work. They explore the human skills that remain at the heart of the industry and the highlights of working in amazing destinations with outstanding products. Looking ahead, they share their passion for inspiring the next generation of tourism professionals, encouraging curiosity, resilience and confidence in those ready to step into leadership.

We also have to give a big shout out to sponsor Book Me! Thanks so much to Greg and team for supporting our podcast! We all love working with the team at Book Me, a stellar OTA with lots of great solutions for suppliers and industry! To find out more about Book Me check out their website where you can find out all about their opportunities to support operators here https://www.bookme.com.au/operators/home LEGENDS!

Sponsoring an edition of the Inside Downunder Podcast is a fabulous way to get your product out to a rapidly growing industry audience across Australia and the globe! Contact one of our hosts or connect with us across our socials for more info or to recommend a future guest:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsideDownunderPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inside_downunder

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In this episode of Inside Downunder, we sit down with Mark Olsen, CEO of Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ), for a relaxed and insightful conversation about his tourism industry journey from studying in regional Queensland to leading one of Australia’s most respected destination marketing organisations.

Mark shares some of the defining moments and mentors that have shaped his leadership style and we chat about what it means to lead with purpose in a region where tourism is deeply connected to community and culture.

We also dive into the Lifetime of Greatness project, a global movement celebrating the Great Barrier Reef’s extraordinary contribution to science, education, conservation and global action.

Mark shares why this initiative is so meaningful and how it brings together Traditional Custodians, the tourism industry, Reef communities and global advocates to champion continued protection of this natural wonder. More information on the Lifetime of Greatness Project can be viewed via this link https://alifetimeofgreatness.com/

A big thanks to the sponsor of this episode, Mustard Design & Digital. The team at Mustard help us to record and edit the podcast and offer amazing services to industry including social content packages & digital solutions.  Check them out at https://mustard.design/inside - Thanks Kade, Ruth and team….LEGENDS!

Sponsoring an edition of the Inside Downunder Podcast is a fabulous way to get your product out to a rapidly growing industry audience across Australia and the globe! Contact one of our hosts or connect with us across our socials for more info or to recommend a future guest:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsideDownunderPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inside_downunder

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The ATE Bonus edition “Please move to your next appointment” is here….filled with tradeshow floor interviews and a special highlight with the new gAyTE Queen of Queensland Monsoon Mossy, AKA Jason Heffernan! Join Ben, Lisa, Nikki and Brian as they take breaks between appointments and at a very happy happy hour to chat with industry legends including Peta Zietsch, Taryn Welsh, Tony Bridgewater, Kate Shilling, Jill Abel, Joel Katz & more!

We have to give a big shout out to our very first sponsor Book Me! Thanks so much to Greg and team for supporting our podcast! We all love working with the team at Book Me, a stellar OTA with lots of great solutions for suppliers and industry! To find out more about Book Me check out their website where you can find out all about their opportunities to support operators here https://www.bookme.com.au/operators/home LEGENDS!

Sponsoring our show is a great opportunity to get your product out to a rapidly growing industry audience across Australia and the globe! Contact one of our hosts or connect with us across our socials for more info or to recommend a future guest:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inside-downunder-podcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsideDownunderPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inside_downunder

Ben Woodward: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benwoodward77/

Lisa Chambers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-chambers-84650a22/

Nikki Giumelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkigiumelli/

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Get ready for our cheeky, behind-the-scenes BONUS episode of Inside Downunder just in time for ATE!

Recorded out of studio at the Destination Australia Conference, this laidback ep features a fabulous chat with Dingo Hampel (aka Barbara Mitzvah, last year’s Queen of Victoria at gAyTE), plus a heartfelt conversation with Mark Abercromby and his daughter Kate Marinovich from A & A Travel Services.

We wrap with highlights from ATEC’s “Get Ready for ATE25” webinar, thanks to Cairns Adventure Group’s Lisa Chambers and ATEC’s Dave Atherton.

Don’t forget it’s not too late to buy your tickets for gAyTE – a MUST ATTEND event on the ATE calendar. For more info visit https://www.facebook.com/gayteaustralia

You’ll also hear a brief advert this ep – it’s a great opportunity to sponsor a podcast and get your product out to a rapidly growing industry audience across Australia and the globe! Contact one of our hosts or connect with us across our socials for more info or to recommend a future guest:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inside-downunder-podcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsideDownunderPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inside_downunder

Do you want to be a guest or a future sponsor? Contact one of our hosts:

Ben Woodward: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benwoodward77/

Lisa Chambers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-chambers-84650a22/

Nikki Giumelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkigiumelli/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome aboard! In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of cruise tourism in Australia with none other than James Coughlan, the Managing Director & Founder of Shorex Australia. With 25 years of experience in the cruise industry, James is a true expert in inbound cruise tourism and has played a key role in shaping shore excursion experiences across the country.

Join us as we explore the opportunities and challenges in Australia’s cruise industry, from must-visit destinations to the evolving trends shaping the future of cruising and the guest experience. But it’s not just business—James is also a fantastic storyteller, and he shares some incredible behind-the-scenes anecdotes from life on and around cruise ships.

So, whether you’re a supplier to cruise, a cruisling, a travel agent, a DMO, or just love a good story from the high seas, this episode is packed with insights, laughter and plenty of cruise inspo and info. All aboard for an unforgettable chat with James!

We’d love it if you connect with us:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inside_downunder

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsideDownunderPodcast

Do you want to be a guest or a future sponsor? Contact one of our hosts:

Ben Woodward: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benwoodward77/

Lisa Chambers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-chambers-84650a22/

Nikki Giumelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkigiumelli/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every podcast needs a Christmas episode right? No need to get your sleigh bells in a knot, we have you covered with special guest Brian Hennesy visiting the studio to take over the reigns for this very festive edition. That’s right, Brian is back and has been newly anointed as our “Foreign Correspondent” – in this episode he not only asks the questions of Ben, Nikki and Chambers but also takes his mic on the road all the way to North America.

This episode includes some chats from across the Globe with much loved industry legends who are working in the North American market. Listen to Jeff Adam, Josh Basir, Kelly Miller & more!

We hope you are all on Santa’s “good list” and can’t wait to bring you more of “Inside Downunder” in 2025 with some very special plans for Season 2!

We’d love it if you connect with us:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inside_downunder

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsideDownunderPodcast

Do you want to be a guest or a future sponsor? Contact one of our hosts:

Ben Woodward: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benwoodward77/

Lisa Chambers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-chambers-84650a22/

Nikki Giumelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkigiumelli/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is all about the Western state of our beautiful country where we chat with tourism legends Ash Munn and Michael Collins. We explore all the wonderful opportunities and some of the challenges of the tourism landscape in WA and leave no icon of the state unmentioned, you can be sure of quokka, WACA and wine stories aplenty! Both Ash and Michael are leaders within the Skål community in Australia, with Ash serving as the current National President and Michael as the President of Perth. If you are a Skålleague, enjoy some robust conversation about the vision and values both leaders have for driving Skål International Australia forward and if you have only heard whispers about this club called “Skål”, tune in to learn more about what it means to be a Skalleague ….. (Disclaimer – Ben, Lisa & Nikki are all Skalleagues and think it’s an awesome networking organisation to be a part of!)

We’d love it if you connect with us:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inside_downunder

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsideDownunderPodcast

Do you want to be a guest or a future sponsor? Contact one of our hosts:

Ben Woodward: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benwoodward77/

Lisa Chambers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-chambers-84650a22/

Nikki Giumelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkigiumelli/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 5, we sit down with tourism legends and all-around larrikins, Ron Livingston and Robbie Bastion. With decades of experience in inbound tourism and the travel trade, these cherished industry figures bring a treasure trove of stories from the days before the internet and the Euro, when tourism was an adventure fuelled by friendships and genuine connections. Their light-hearted charm and wealth of experience infuse this episode with vibrant energy and intel, making their reflections not just interesting, but truly captivating. As passionate advocates for selling Australia, Ron and Robbie skilfully weave tales that capture the spirit of this stunning country, inspiring the industry, just as they have for years. Tune in for an unforgettable journey filled with laughter, insight, and nostalgia!

We’d love it if you connect with us on our socials and join in on conversations with tourism industry legends:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inside_downunder

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsideDownunderPodcast

Do you want to be a guest or a future sponsor? Contact one of our hosts:

Ben Woodward: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benwoodward77/

Lisa Chambers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-chambers-84650a22/

Nikki Giumelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkigiumelli/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 4, we delve into the wonderful world of destination marketing, sports, creativity and QLD’s new “Bluey’s World For Real Life” with guest Kim McConnie. We discuss Kim’s career journey from the wonderful world of international sports to leadership and marketing at Tourism and Events Queensland and enjoy banter-filled discussions around the impact and opportunities of the Olympic Games, the importance of events and the outlook for destination marketing in the future.

We’d love it if you connect with us on our socials and join in on conversations with tourism industry legends:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inside_downunder

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsideDownunderPodcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inside-downunder-podcast

Do you want to be a guest or a future sponsor? Contact one of our hosts:

Ben Woodward: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benwoodward77/

Lisa Chambers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-chambers-84650a22/

Nikki Giumelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkigiumelli/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Step into the vibrant world of Australian tourism with Inside Downunder, your passport to the heart of the industry. Produced in the vibrant city of Cairns (Gimuy), hosts Ben Woodward, Lisa Chambers, and Nikki Giumelli invite you on a journey deep into the inner workings, captivating stories and evolving trends of Aussie tourism. Join us as we shine a spotlight on remarkable professionals and enthusiastic newcomers, celebrating their dedication to crafting unforgettable experiences for visitors to Oz!

In Episode 3, we delve into the stellar career of JOS – doesn’t require much of an introduction as he is well known within our industry. Heading up Tourism Australia for 5 years before stepping into the CEO role at Experience Co. 

John O'Sullivan, fondly known to the industry as JOS is here with us today to talk about his journey, which is an interesting one and how he got to where he is today, the leader he is today and everything in between. JOS, welcome our show and thank you for joining us. 

In this episode, JOS’ journey to leadership and his memorable tenure at Tourism Australia take centre stage, along with interesting and banter-filled discussions on the nuances of the Aussie tourism industry. Strap in for lots of laughter and some absolute pearlers of insights in this episode!

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