The Inside Word

Jason Marriner is the CEO of the Marriner Group, which operates four of Melbourne's iconic theatre venues; the Princess Theatre, the Regent Theatre, the Comedy Theatre and the Forum.

At any one time, Jason may be overseeing three major theatre productions as well as music events at the Forum, including Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and the upcoming Moulin Rouge The Musical.

Be sure to listen to Dougal's conversation with Jason, on your favourite podcast channel, as they discuss (among other things) the History of Marriner Group, the impact of COVID-19 on Melbourne's world-renowned arts and theatre precinct, its COVID-19 recovery and exclusive productions, that will continue to drive visitation to our state.

Jason Marriner is the CEO of the Marriner Group, which operates four of Melbourne's iconic theatre venues; the Princess Theatre, the Regent Theatre, the Comedy Theatre and the Forum.

At any one time, Jason may be overseeing three major theatre productions as well as music events at the Forum, including Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and the upcoming Moulin Rouge The Musical.

Be sure to listen to Dougal's conversation with Jason, on your favourite podcast channel, as they discuss (among other things) the History of Marriner Group, the impact of COVID-19 on Melbourne's world-renowned arts and theatre precinct, its COVID-19 recovery and exclusive productions, that will continue to drive visitation to our state.

Peter Jones AM is an absolute doyen of Victoria's major events sector. For almost 30 years his company Peter Jones Special Events has been the creative force behind many of Melbourne and Australia's best events.

Organising high profile functions for the President's Cup; the Australian Sports Hall of Fame; the Australian Football League; The Australian Formula One Grand Prix; Qantas, and the Victoria Racing Club (to name a few), Peter has certainly helped shape Victoria's reputation as one of the world's most pre-eminent major event destinations.

Be sure to listen to Dougal's conversation with Peter, on your favourite podcast channel, as they discuss (among other things) the impact of COVID-19 on the events sector; reimaging event delivery with the use of new technology; key considerations for event clients and hoteliers, in a post COVID-19 world, and how Peter perceives our state can continue to use 'brand Melbourne' to drive interstate and international arrivals.

(Please note, this podcast recording was completed prior to Victoria's most recent 'circuit breaker' lockdowns).

Peter Jones AM is an absolute doyen of Victoria's major events sector. For almost 30 years his company Peter Jones Special Events has been the creative force behind many of Melbourne and Australia's best events.

Organising high profile functions for the President's Cup; the Australian Sports Hall of Fame; the Australian Football League; The Australian Formula One Grand Prix; Qantas, and the Victoria Racing Club (to name a few), Peter has certainly helped shape Victoria's reputation as one of the world's most pre-eminent major event destinations.

Be sure to listen to Dougal's conversation with Peter, on your favourite podcast channel, as they discuss (among other things) the impact of COVID-19 on the events sector; reimaging event delivery with the use of new technology; key considerations for event clients and hoteliers, in a post COVID-19 world, and how Peter perceives our state can continue to use 'brand Melbourne' to drive interstate and international arrivals.

(Please note, this podcast recording was completed prior to Victoria's most recent 'circuit breaker' lockdowns).

As Australia's domestic borders reopen and Victorian's begin to travel after the state's second lockdown, listen as TAA (Vic) General Manager, Dougal Hollis speaks to Wotif Group Managing Director, Daniel Finch, regarding the online travel sales industry and how COVID-19 has changed the landscape of Australia's domestic and international travel markets.

The podcast is split into two halves

During part two of the podcast, Dougal and Daniel discuss Wotif's strategies that drive mutually beneficial relationships with hotel clients; how Wotif tailors their services to provide value to a diverse range of clientele; the impact that new supply will have on hotel rates and occupancies; consumer travel sentiment in a COVID normal world and strategies to rebuild consumer confidence to travel again; Daniel's predictions on the rebound of the domestic travel and travel trends that are emerging in Victoria as the state's COVID-19 related restrictions ease.

As Australia's domestic borders reopen and Victorian's begin to travel after the state's second lockdown, listen as TAA (Vic) General Manager, Dougal Hollis speaks to Wotif Group Managing Director, Daniel Finch, regarding the online travel sales industry and how COVID-19 has changed the landscape of Australia's domestic and international travel markets.

The podcast is split into two halves

During part one of the podcast, hear Dougal and Daniel discuss how border closures and the restrictions on people movement have impacted the day to day operations at Wotif and the company's relationships with hotel partners; Wotif's humble beginnings and how staff embraced an alternative business model to differentiate the business in a competitive market; how COVID-19 has impacted the industry, and the launch of Australia's first last minute deals online travel agent and how this brand has evolved over the years.

As Melbourne and Victoria emerge from a range of COVID-19 related business and freedom of movement restrictions, listen as TAA (Vic) General Manager, Dougal Hollis speaks to Visit Victoria CEO, Brendan McClements regarding strategies that will be employed by Visit Victoria to again stimulate activity and interest in the state's tourism sector.

The podcast is split into two halves.

Part A: Hear Dougal and Brendan discuss the exciting opportunity his team has been tasked with to reinvigorate the state's tourism sector; the significant opportunities that present for intra and interstate travel to the region; the strength and breadth of Victoria's tourism offer; the opportunity to generate interest in visitation to and within Victoria by younger cohorts of travellers, and the welcome support of government as Visit Victoria ensures a stable foundation is in place to tell Victoria's tourism story.

As Melbourne and Victoria emerge from a range of COVID-19 related business and freedom of movement restrictions, listen as TAA (Vic) General Manager, Dougal Hollis speaks to Visit Victoria CEO, Brendan McClements regarding strategies that will be employed by Visit Victoria to again stimulate activity and interest in the state's tourism sector.

The podcast is split into two halves.

Part A: Hear Dougal and Brendan discuss the exciting opportunity his team has been tasked with to reinvigorate the state's tourism sector; the significant opportunities that present for intra and interstate travel to the region; the strength and breadth of Victoria's tourism offer; the opportunity to generate interest in visitation to and within Victoria by younger cohorts of travellers, and the welcome support of government as Visit Victoria ensures a stable foundation is in place to tell Victoria's tourism story.

With the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Australia's immigrations and hospitality industry significant ad ongoing, listen as TAA (Vic) General Manager, Dougal Hollis dials in to speak with Jamie Lingham, Global Immigration Leader at Absolute Immigration. During part two of the podcast, Jamie shares how the industry has managed immigration staff during the COVID-19 operational downturn and the importance of supporting these employees during this transition. Jamie also discussed his knowledge of the structural challenges the industry may face when re-opening.

With the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Australia's immigration and hospitality industry significant and ongoing, listen as TAA (Vic) General Manager, Dougal Hollis dials in to speak with Jamie Lingham, Global Immigration Leader at Absolute Immigration. During part one of the podcast Jamie speaks about the critical role immigrants play in showcasing the careers in the Australian hospitality industry, the post COVID-19 employment and training challenges faced by immigrants due to visa restrictions and Australia's future ability to attract foreign workers to fill skills gaps in the hospitality industry, given the international border restrictions.