We researched 12 Aboriginal Interpretation Centres across Australia to explore what they offered, and what their competitive strengths and apparent limitations were. The research found a chequered history of success – not attracting many visitors, being expected to cover their own costs and struggling to do so. Many Centres have demonstrated poor historic performance in … Read more
We proposed a new way to grow Aboriginal tourism. Top-down approaches to foster Aboriginal tourism have largely failed to lift Aboriginal tourism performance in Australia. Aboriginal tourism in NSW remains an infant industry trapped in a cycle of dedicated small-scale Aboriginal entrepreneurs struggling against long odds. Consequently, strong demand for Aboriginal tourism experiences by international … Read more
The Northern Territory Government (NTG) committed $20M to upgrade / extend three Aboriginal art galleries: Godinymayin Yijard Arts and Culture Centre, in Katherine; Mimi Aboriginal Art and Craft, in Katherine; and The Nyinkka Nyunyi Arts and Culture Centre, Tennant Creek. Working with GHD Advisory, we were appointed by the Northern Territory government to prepare detailed … Read more
The planning process for this Destination Management Plan integrated both demand (the visitor or consumer needs) and supply (the product or experience). While the geographic area that this Plan focuses on is the Local Government Area of Albury, it also proposed a number of cooperative initiatives with the City of Wodonga, given its close proximity … Read more
Despite being just an hour’s drive west of Melbourne, Moorabool had low market awareness and was an immature destination. We conducted a brand compatibility match to the events, to determine which ones were helping build brand strength, and an event calendar that contrasted industry demand for stimulus with the supply of events, and colour coded … Read more
We prepared a Destination Management Plan for the Wellington Shire, NSW. This included: An analysis of the regional visitor market. An analysis of the regional tourism product. An analysis of regional events. An analysis of regional tourism brand and marketing. The brand analysis involved a competitor analysis that included Parkes, Dubbo, Mudgee and Wellington, then … Read more
Over many years, there have been many operational issues and constraints with the Tidbinbilla Visitor Centre in the Australian Capital Territory. Some of the issues include poor accessibility, poor building performance and outdated interpretation. The first aim of this project was to prepare an over-arching functional review of the Tidbinbilla Visitor Centre, integrating the findings … Read more
Following extensive market analysis, product benchmarking and consultation, SMA is currently developing concepts for a cultural centre, based in Broome, servicing the whole of the Kimberley region. The concepts are proposed to include Australia’s first multi-cultural, including Aboriginal interpretation, of Aboriginal AND non-Aboriginal culture. We market tested the options and price points, then prepared a … Read more
Shellharbour City Council asked us to prepare a feasibility study for a Coastal Aboriginal Interpretive Centre. The objectives of this project were to: Identify options for a Keeping Place, leading Aboriginal interpretation experiences, Interpretation Centre, and governance model to service them Choose the most superior option(s) for the core Aboriginal interpretation experience(s), location of a … Read more
The Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) purchased the Gunya Yanakie Nanjet Brataualung site near Wilsons Promontory National Park, Victoria (herewith referred to as Nanjet). We identified four problems were identified that justified a case for change: Our approach to developing this business case was based on four phases: Stakeholder engagement was a strong … Read more
The Shipwreck Coast, located three hours drove from Melbourne, is one of Australia’s coastal tourism icons. It is one of the top visited destinations in Australia, receiving 2M visitors per annum; mostly from China and Asia. However, key sites like the 12 Apostles have outdated visitor infrastructure and are becoming over crowded. There is also … Read more
Trade Mark East Africa, Uganda Tourism Board and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities asked us to develop four iconic tourism products for Uganda. The aim of this project was to create some more ‘Wow factor’ for Uganda, by creating several more iconic products for the country. We were asked to develop iconic products for … Read more
Working with Conrad Gargett and GML Heritage, we developed a Site Master Plan for the Kingston and Arthurs Vale World Heritage Site on Norfolk Island, two hours flight time north east of Brisbane, Australia. The site is one of Australia’s most significant former convict sites. Our work included:
SMA Tourism is currently working with TKD Architects and Context Landscape Architecture to develop a Master Plan for South Head within the Sydney Harbour National Park, NSW. Our contribution to this project has included
Working with the Tourism Northern Territory, Tourism Central Australia, Northern Territory Heritage Commission, Office of Aboriginal Affairs and Central Land Council, we: undertook extensive consultation with local Aboriginal people; conducted product audits and determined product gaps; developed draft product development strategies and concepts for major product proposals; developed a Masterplan for the region; priced the … Read more
Destination Network Country & Outback NSW asked us to develop Australia’s first Product Development Strategy for ‘Night Skies’ experiences within the region. We first developed a Gap Analysis Report on Night Skies Tourism, which summarised the results of a literature review, product audit, stakeholder consultation and benchmarking initiatives from outside the region. We then developed … Read more
Over many years, significant effort by various stakeholders has been undertaken to develop a high-level concept for a long-distance walking trail in far Victoria’s east Gippsland reaching from coastline to Mount Ellery, colloquially known as Sea to Summit. This concept was for a 10–12-day walk with campsites along the route. A demand analysis identified that … Read more
This project sought to help the township of Collie (south west of Western Australia) transition from a coal fire power station to a more diverse economy. After consulting with a range of tourism stakeholders and visiting a range of existing and potential local tourism / recreation experiences, we identified two catalytic tourism projects. Minninup Pool … Read more
As a tourism destination, the Solomon Islands only receives a small number of visitors and has them spread out over a vast archipelago. Australian tourism consultants were appointed to develop a Tourism Product Development Strategy. The team consisted of a tourism product development specialist, marketing specialist, infrastructure specialist, consultation specialist and a quantity surveyor. An … Read more
Involving a helicopter drop at 2,000m Summit of Falls and hike down from crash site. Angel Falls in Venezuela is the World’s tallest waterfall, in a majestic place. But the Venezuelan government wanted a WOW factor EXPERIENCE – something more immersive and high yielding to generate even more social media noise. We created an adventure … Read more
The Hume and Hovell Track (the Track), which stretches 426km between Yass and Albury in New South Wales, Australia. SMA Tourism prepared a Strategic Plan to address the ‘big picture’ of what the Track should be and what is needed to achieve this. This Strategic Plan proposed to transform the Hume and Hovell Track: The … Read more
SMA Tourism produced a Tourism Development Plan for Townsville City and the Townsville region. The region incorporates Burdekin to the south, Charters Towers to the west, Magnetic Island to the east and Hinchinbrook to the north. Our work included: review of current target markets versus current visitor data; review of current brand versus current marketing; … Read more
The East Arnhem Land region is situated in the far north-eastern corner of the Northern Territory, covers an area of 34,000km2 and has a population of 9,120 people – mostly Yolngu people, the traditional owners of the region. East Arnhem Land is made up of more than 50 Indigenous communities including. Commercial enterprises such as … Read more
Collie is a township in Western Australia whose economy is largely tied to coal mining and coal-based power generation. The demand for coal fired energy in Western Australia is diminishing, due to a surplus of power and moves away from high carbon to low carbon generating sources. To avoid a long-term decline in business confidence … Read more
The Tasmanian government asks us to identify product development and investment opportunities that could drive visitor demand to Far North West Tasmania. And specifically increase first-time and repeat visitation to the target region; increase the average length of stay; increase visitor expenditure; increase visitor dispersal (geographically and seasonally); increase visitor satisfaction, and consequently, increase the … Read more
Annoncita (Anny) joined SMA Tourism in 2020 to develop religious tourism in Rwanda and is based in Rwanda. She has 22 years’ experience in tourism development and tourism marketing in Rwanda. Her tourism career evolved from managerial positions in international hotels, to that of a part time consultant for hotels and government and full-time manager … Read more
Beatriz joined SMA Tourism as an Associate in 2020 and is based in Columbia. She has 15 years’ of experience in environmental and sustainable tourism projects for public institutions, cooperation agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the private sector. Beatriz is an expert in tourism planning and in the development and implementation of applied methodologies for … Read more
Jane joined SMA Tourism in 2015 as the food, wine, hospitality, health and wellness tourism expert, and is based in Newcastle, Australia. Jane has 20 years’ experience in tourism and hospitality business development, operations and marketing – developed through operating her own café, catering and food production business. She blends lateral thinking, creative concepts and … Read more
Julián joined SMA Tourism in 2018 to develop nature tourism and an investment plan in Colombia, and then a Nature Tourism Recovery Plan for Colombia, and is based in Colombia. He has 15 years’ experience in administration, finance, social investment and project management relating to sustainability and tourism. During the last 10 years, he has … Read more
Karl joined SMA Tourism in 2014 to lead tourism market analysis, economic impact assessment and policy design, and he is based in Melbourne, Australia. Karl has 25 years’ experience as a tourism industry specialist working as a Tourism & Aviation Economist and acting Director Strategy and Research for Tourism Australia, General Manager Policy and Research … Read more
Lintang joined SMA Tourism as an Associate in 2020, and is based in Indonesia. She has 15 years’ experience in tourism and related disciplines. Her focus is on tourism planning and sustainable tourism development in rural and conservation areas. She is also experienced in working in remote areas with different cultures, and has significant experience … Read more
Marcello joined SMA Tourism in 2016 to play frequent roles in international projects and is based in Spain. He has over 22 years of experience in sustainable tourism development, including market analysis, special interest tourism product development and feasibility studies. Within SMA Tourism, Marcello focuses on sustainable tourism policy, product development, marketing strategies and self-financing … Read more
Marina joined SMA Tourism in 2020 and is based in the United Kingdom. She is an internationally renowned tourism and international development expert and Professor of Tourism and International Development at the University of Brighton (UK), and an Affiliate Member of the UN World Tourism Organisation. Marina has written and advised extensively in the field … Read more
Mauricio joined SMA Tourism in 2018 to develop nature tourism in Colombia and is based in Colombia. He is a specialist in marketing management, focusing on projects that improve community and SME access to sustainable economic opportunities, especially in the tourism sector. He is skilled in situation analysis, and medium and long-term planning, has extensive … Read more
Simon has managed SMA Tourism since its inception in 2013. He has 35 years international experience working in tourism for government, the private sector and not for profit organisations. He has extensive post graduate qualifications in business, marketing, tourism and hotel management, and has published many books in these fields. His qualifications, diverse experience and … Read more