Our Business Case was developed to support the development and five year operation of a Museum Of Chinese Australians in Australia (MOCA). Our Business Case was used to support an Expression of Interest to utilise the Haymarket Library, Chinatown, owned by the City of Sydney. The proponents subsequently won the EoI process, leveraged start up capital … Read more
The Penitentiary Chapel Historic Site and Criminal Courts (PCHS) in Hobart was the place from which all convict sites in Tasmania were administered. Tasmania’s convict records were once housed there, and the building served as the place of processing for all newly arrived male convicts. The site is managed by the National Trust of Australia, … Read more
The Northern Territory Department of Trade, Business and Innovation (DTBI) sought an informed assessment of the market opportunity, commercial feasibility and expected economic benefits of expanding the luxury lodge offering in the Northern Territory. Working with GHD Advisory, we were appointed by the Northern Territory government to Prepare a Situation Analysis, featuring a full analysis … Read more
We developed the concept of an interactive and immersive museum experience that happens inside a building, and outside in the landscape. The proposal would explore adaptation and tell the region’s key stories through a mix of experiences designed to maximise appeal to a range of potential visitor markets. The centrepiece will be a museum / … 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
Coal Creek is a heritage attraction three hours east of Melbourne, Australia. Our task was to determine how to get the business back to cost neutrality. Following extensive research and consultation, we concepted a range of cost saving measures and revenue generating experiences, including a son et lumiere to create profile, an interactive mobile platform … Read more
We prepared a feasibility assessment for a new Collection Store on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. The project featured:
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
The Warrnambool Art Gallery in Victoria was identified as having outgrown its building and consequently being unable to deliver its objectives to the standard of a typical regional gallery in Victoria. The project subsequently involved: identification of lead trends affecting galleries and museums; analysis of relevant local documents, targeted then wider stakeholder consultation, Functional Brief … 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
The Shepparton Art Museum in Victoria (Australia) is significantly constrained by its location, small building and management by local government. SMA were engaged to develop and test the feasibility of options for a new SAM, which included alternative art museum experiences, alternative locations and alternative governance models. As part of the consultation, we developed an … 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 Busselton Jetty, built in 1865, is the longest timber piled jetty in the southern hemisphere. The aim of the project was to help find the most innovative and feasible experience that could attract significant visitor spend, for reinvestment back into jetty maintenance. Many options were investigated and a shortlist was market tested. The final … Read more
The Otway Hinterland is a vast tract of cool temperate rainforest and very tall eucalypt forest. This Plan sought to divert some of the huge tourism activity on the adjacent Great Ocean Road into the Hinterland, to stimulate investment and employment. The project started with a site analysis to determine the best place for an … Read more
We developed three new accommodation experiences to increase the competitiveness and profitability of the Western Plains Zoo. Our product development and feasibility work triggered: a $2M investment to add more glamping tents in front of the savannah area and move the famous Roar and Snore tented accommodation to a larger site; and a $4M investment … Read more
As part of the redevelopment of Newcastle’s port, we worked helped develop a feasibility study and provided development advice for the Crowne Plaza. The feasibility included a market assessment and gap analysis for the business and leisure market, concepts for alternative room types and conference facilities, and total number of rooms and subsequent footprint versus … Read more
See Feasibility Study for Canopy Walk in Otway Ranges.
The former Wellington Police Station and Gaol is owned and managed by Dubbo Regional Council. The small building is made up of six offices, several bathrooms, a roofed exercise yard and six cells. The building needs substantial conservation works to address decaying brickwork, rising damp and drainage, as well as fire and alarm detection systems … Read more
TradeMark East Africa and Rwanda Development Board engaged us to determine the feasibility of developing a new religious tourism sector. This is probably the largest coordinated set of initiatives to develop religious tourism in the World. Our Feasibility Study concepted, market tested, costed and forecast for visitation and economic benefits for seven proposals to develop … 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
We concepted the following WOW factor products to drive nature tourism in Nariño, Colombia: Adventure Tourism Hub that includes an integrated glamping operation in the Juanambú Canyon Glamping in the tree canopy for birdwatchers and their families in the misty forests of the Ñambi Reserve Experiences in coastal and wetland ecosystems accompanied by high-level accommodations, … Read more
The Destination Management Plan for Albury Wodonga proposed many product development initiatives that require funding to proceed. Some of these initiatives are naturally positioned for the public sector to fund, some for the private sector, and a small number could be funded as partnerships. This project has been conceived by AlburyCity and the City of … 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
Anne joined SMA Tourism in 2015 to undertake iconic tourism product development and is based in Uganda. She has a solid understanding of Uganda’s tourism industry and sound knowledge and familiarity of Uganda’s existing and potential tourism attractions and activities. She has a vast network of Ugandan tourism stakeholders, solid skills in public, private sector … 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
Daysy started working with SMA Tourism as an Associate in 2019, including the development of a Nature Tourism Strategy and investment prospectus for the Colombian region of Narino. Daysy has 15 years of experience as a tourism manager, designing, planning and managing tourism projects. She has led project teams at a National level in Peru … 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
Johnny is a highly accomplished and versatile Director. From entertainment to sport, his work has covered award winning short films, television, music videos, commercials, promos, station idents and news. Sport – Motorsport in particular — has figured prominently, his directing assignments including Le Mans, the Porsche Carerra Cup and the Ferrari Challenge Asia Pacific Series. … 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
Julie has 33 years’ experience as a graphic designer and Julie has worked with SMA Tourism for 30 years. She specialises in design for publications, interpretation signs, interpretation displays and exhibitions for visitor centres and museums. Her projects range from visitor orientation signage at Uluru in the Northern Territory, guides supporting the Convict Trail around … 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
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
Maudie joined SMA Tourism in 2017 to prepare a feasibility study and business case for a new art gallery in Shepparton, Victoria, and is based in Melbourne, Australia. Maudie has since operated as the SMA Tourism expert in similar gallery projects across Australia. Maudie is an expert in the field of Australian modern art and … 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
Nahar has over 13 years of experience in tourism planning and sustainable tourism development. His key skills are in sustainable tourism planning, sustainable tourism development and ecotourism development and operations. Nahar has significant recent experience with India’s tourism policy and planning environment. He has developed tourism policies, strategies and action plans for tourism projects across … Read more
Rafael joined SMA Tourism in 2020 and is based in China. Rafael has a solid understanding of business in China and insights on trends and behaviour of the Chinese consumer. Rafael has lived in Mainland China since 2003. In 2008 Rafael started the Chinese branch of Aragon Exterior, mainly providing market entry services for companies … Read more
Sarah is an experienced and results-focused strategic leader. She is known for helping businesses and communities to innovate and grow. Her strong commercial understanding, strategic thinking, global brand management experience and ability to harness consumer insights for growth means that she can help any client improve business performance. With over 20 years in the food, … Read more
Sharon started working with SMA Tourism in 2014, with the development of an interpretation plan for a former gold mining town, now major heritage attraction, and then and a feasibility study for a new cultural museum, exhibition and archive centre for Ballarat, Victoria. Sharon brings a wealth of expertise and over 15 years’ experience in … 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