The Inside Word

With the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the hospitality and accommodation industry significant and ongoing, listen as TAA (Vic) General Manager, Dougal Hollis dials in to speak with Peter Harper, Executive Vice President, Hotels & Hospitality Group JLL. During part two of the podcast, Peter shares his advice to operators who have cash flow concerns from the downturn associated with the pandemic; the impact of COVID-19 on investor sentiment in Australia and the push for developments in regional Victoria due to post-pandemic domestic travel demand.

With the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the hospitality and accommodation industry significant and ongoing, listen as TAA (Vic) General Manager, Dougal Hollis dials in to speak with Peter Harper, Executive Vice President, Hotels & Hospitality Group JLL. During part one of the podcast, Peter discusses how COVID-19 has impacted the investor confidence in hospitality and tourism sectors; how investor behavior will change post COVID-19 and the outlook for new hotel developments.

In the lead up to the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne, listen as TAA (Vic) General Manager, Dougal Hollis sits down to speak with Andrew Westacott, CEO of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation. The podcast is split into two halves. During Part 2, Andrew speaks about how to create fan loyalty through event innovation; the importance of Daniel Ricciardo to the success of the race; the competition from New South Wales to hold international motor racing events; and who he thinks will finish on the podium for the Grand Prix.

In the lead up to the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne, listen as TAA (Vic) General Manager, Dougal Hollis sits down to speak with Andrew Westacott, CEO of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation. The podcast is split into two halves. During Part 1, listen to Andrew detail his unique journey to his current role via an early career in Chemical Engineering, the importance of both the Australian F1 Grand Prix and the Australian Moto Grand Prix to the Victorian economy., what makes Melbourne the best event city in Australia and how Melbourne secured the Grand Prix from Adelaide in the 1990s.

Part Two of Dougal's podcast interview with Tennis Australia CEO, Craig Tiley. As their discussion continues hear Craig reference his perspectives on how the event theme will be brought to life, leveraging a number of new event innovations in 2020; the importance of stakeholder management, from a player, fan and event partner perspective; the necessary evolution of media coverage, in traditional and new formats, for rapidly growing audiences; the importance of working with other tourism agencies to build the event's profile and that of 'brand Melbourne.' Also, hear Craig's perspectives on Australia's current crop of emerging and established tennis talent; recognition of the deeds of Australia's most decorated former female tennis champion and his prediction as to the players who might emerge victorious, following the completion of the 2020 Australian Open tournament.

In the lead up to Australia and the Southern Hemisphere's largest annual event, The 2020 Australian Open tennis tournament, listen as TAA (Vic) General Manager, Dougal Hollis speaks with Craig Tiley, Chief Executive Officer of Tennis Australia and Tournament Director for the Australian Open. The podcast is split into two halves. During Part A, hear Craig speak of how he developed a love of tennis, from an early age; leadership lessons he still uses today, post having been a successful player and coach; significant challenges and successes he has confronted or enjoyed; how he and his team continue to evolve the event, to ensure its relevance to a wide legion of fans, and the significant positive economic impact the event has on the economy and Victoria's hotel sector.

The team at TAA (Vic) frequently engage with key stakeholders across Victoria's tourism and hospitality industries. During our podcast series, TAA (Vic) speaks with these industry leaders to discuss issues and opportunities of mutual interest. Hear the thoughts of some of the brightest minds in our sector, as our timely interviews provide hoteliers and wider tourism and hospitality industry stakeholders with the 'inside word' on forthcoming events, activities and strategies that drive increased visitation to Melbourne and Victoria.