Travel Tips from the University of Life - BDO Article
http://www.parkertravelcollection.com/articles/71/1/Travel-Tips-from-the-University-of-Life---BDO-Article/Page1.html
By Parker Travel Collection
Published on 17 March 2011
An Interview with Todd Parker, Managing Director, Parker Travel Collection 
Undoubtedly, tourism is a large part of our local economy, so we should all take an interest in what is happening in the world of tourism, regardless of our industry or business.
There are few individuals more qualified to provide insight into Cairns tourism than Todd Parker; Managing Director of Parker Travel Collection, Out of The way Experiences and Air Australia Charters & Tours. Todd has been an enthusiastic driving force behind tourism in Far North Queensland for over 20 years. An overwhelmingly positive person, Todd is passionate about travel and believes 100% in our region.
Todd has seen Cairns transition from a niche, iconic travel location, based predominately on the Great Barrier Reef & Rainforest, to a volume-tourism centre, catering for large numbers of tourists, with apartments and resorts. Aside from Parker Travel Collection, Todd is actively involved in a range of tourism organisations in our region, and is also working on the 2012 solar eclipse event and participating at Oprah's much anticipated visit to Australia.
Parker Travel Collection is Australia's leading tourism marketing and business development company, helping tourism businesses assess the design of their product for the wholesale market. Todd and his team undertake an analysis of the client's product, develop a strategy and present this to the client. What makes Parker Travel Collection stand out is Todd's consideration for how a product will satisfy the need for new experiences and fulfilment that are part of human nature.
I asked Todd what the future trends will be in tourism. Todd sees 'Volountourism', (the combination of tourism and volunteering, or philanthropy) as an opportunity for tourism providers to create packages to help tourists interact with real people. This trend is currently popular with tourists from Germany and other European countries. Todd says another popular trend is 'Agritourism', which is where farms and farming is the focus. The concept of this trend is using our current resources in a new way, helping people to connect with agriculture and learn about and appreciate our wonderful produce.
Tourism Australia's forecasts that total tourism consumption is set to increase at the rate of 2.2% in 2011, which represents 'a downward revision in growth for this year, but growth in line with previous expectations for 2011.' In terms of overseas visitors, Todd says growth areas are directly related to aviation. If airline services to Singapore, Hong Kong, and Bangkok are enhanced, we will definitely be seeing more visitors from Asia & the Northern hemisphere. Todd believes our region will also be seeing large numbers of tourists coming from China and Japan. Throughout his lifetime, Todd has witnessed the reality of tourism cycles, with destinations coming in and out of popularity.
Personally, Todd has had some unusual travel adventures; from roughing it in ex-president Tito's palace in Slovenia to being attacked by a tribe of Ibans with spears while travelling through Sarawak, Malaysia. Slovenia, France and South Korea rate highly on Todd's list of places to visit and still on the to-do list are South America and Antarctica.
The common themes throughout the stories of Todd's most memorable moments are dining and interactions with people. It is this type of thing that tourists are universally searching for. The key to tourism for Todd and Parker Travel Collection is focusing on those special experiences that people want to get out of their time on this Earth. The emotional triggers, such as remembering the song, smell, taste or feeling behind your holiday snapshots are priceless. Successful tourism companies offer an experience, or a feeling that just cannot be captured or bottled. Todd believes everyone should travel in their lifetime and he enjoys taking his children with him on holiday, because travel teaches you things you just can't get from a book. In Todd Parker's own words, travel is the University of Life.
Todd's top 3 tips for tourism businesses:
1. Develop a strategy. It is important to find a medium between finances and creative flair. Good analysis is important for small companies, but so is passion and emotion.
2. Understand your destination. Create a symbiotic relationship with the destination and your business.
3. Be interesting, unique and innovative. It's not all about creating new products and experiences. Rediscovering what is already there in a new way is exciting too.
Undoubtedly, tourism is a large part of our local economy, so we should all take an interest in what is happening in the world of tourism, regardless of our industry or business.
There are few individuals more qualified to provide insight into Cairns tourism than Todd Parker; Managing Director of Parker Travel Collection, Out of The way Experiences and Air Australia Charters & Tours. Todd has been an enthusiastic driving force behind tourism in Far North Queensland for over 20 years. An overwhelmingly positive person, Todd is passionate about travel and believes 100% in our region.
Todd has seen Cairns transition from a niche, iconic travel location, based predominately on the Great Barrier Reef & Rainforest, to a volume-tourism centre, catering for large numbers of tourists, with apartments and resorts. Aside from Parker Travel Collection, Todd is actively involved in a range of tourism organisations in our region, and is also working on the 2012 solar eclipse event and participating at Oprah's much anticipated visit to Australia.
Parker Travel Collection is Australia's leading tourism marketing and business development company, helping tourism businesses assess the design of their product for the wholesale market. Todd and his team undertake an analysis of the client's product, develop a strategy and present this to the client. What makes Parker Travel Collection stand out is Todd's consideration for how a product will satisfy the need for new experiences and fulfilment that are part of human nature.
I asked Todd what the future trends will be in tourism. Todd sees 'Volountourism', (the combination of tourism and volunteering, or philanthropy) as an opportunity for tourism providers to create packages to help tourists interact with real people. This trend is currently popular with tourists from Germany and other European countries. Todd says another popular trend is 'Agritourism', which is where farms and farming is the focus. The concept of this trend is using our current resources in a new way, helping people to connect with agriculture and learn about and appreciate our wonderful produce.
Tourism Australia's forecasts that total tourism consumption is set to increase at the rate of 2.2% in 2011, which represents 'a downward revision in growth for this year, but growth in line with previous expectations for 2011.' In terms of overseas visitors, Todd says growth areas are directly related to aviation. If airline services to Singapore, Hong Kong, and Bangkok are enhanced, we will definitely be seeing more visitors from Asia & the Northern hemisphere. Todd believes our region will also be seeing large numbers of tourists coming from China and Japan. Throughout his lifetime, Todd has witnessed the reality of tourism cycles, with destinations coming in and out of popularity.
Personally, Todd has had some unusual travel adventures; from roughing it in ex-president Tito's palace in Slovenia to being attacked by a tribe of Ibans with spears while travelling through Sarawak, Malaysia. Slovenia, France and South Korea rate highly on Todd's list of places to visit and still on the to-do list are South America and Antarctica.
The common themes throughout the stories of Todd's most memorable moments are dining and interactions with people. It is this type of thing that tourists are universally searching for. The key to tourism for Todd and Parker Travel Collection is focusing on those special experiences that people want to get out of their time on this Earth. The emotional triggers, such as remembering the song, smell, taste or feeling behind your holiday snapshots are priceless. Successful tourism companies offer an experience, or a feeling that just cannot be captured or bottled. Todd believes everyone should travel in their lifetime and he enjoys taking his children with him on holiday, because travel teaches you things you just can't get from a book. In Todd Parker's own words, travel is the University of Life.
Todd's top 3 tips for tourism businesses:
1. Develop a strategy. It is important to find a medium between finances and creative flair. Good analysis is important for small companies, but so is passion and emotion.
2. Understand your destination. Create a symbiotic relationship with the destination and your business.
3. Be interesting, unique and innovative. It's not all about creating new products and experiences. Rediscovering what is already there in a new way is exciting too.