Tourism Hub Podcast with Despina Karatzias

In this episode, recorded live at the Australian Regional Tourism Convention in Adelaide, Despina Karatzias sits down with Gary Fog of Bookeasy to talk technology, distribution and the visitor economy. Gary shares his 20-plus years across commercial tourism, from the Wyndham Group to a start-up with Beyond a Holiday and how a tap on the shoulder led him to Bookeasy. The conversation covers Bookeas...

In this episode, Despina Karatzias chats with Dave Hockly of Data Story about how tourism destinations and operators can measure what actually matters across the customer journey. Dave shares his "if it's not measured, it's not managed" philosophy and walks through how RTOs (Regional Tourism Organisations) can map the journey from discovery through to advocacy, why the marketing playbook must fund...

In this episode, Despina sits down with Kelly Kuhn, the experience maker behind Juggle House Experiences and River Murray Dark Sky Tours in regional South Australia. Kelly shares her journey from a country farm and a tourism degree into government policy roles, local council leadership as deputy mayor, and ultimately into running not one but two award-winning tourism businesses. She opens up about...

Hailey Brown is on a mission to reshape how the world experiences travel and she's doing it one audio guide at a time. In this episode, Despina Karatzias sits down with Hailey Brown, founder of VacayIt, a free audio guide platform creating immersive, sensory-rich narratives for travellers worldwide. Driven by her academic background in both tourism and psychology, and inspired by her blind friend...

What happens when two industries that need each other still haven't quite figured out how to work together? In this episode, Despina Karatzias is on location at the 2025 ART Conference, sitting down with Yvette from Destination Riverina Murray for a conversation that covers the ground-level reality of agritourism, social impact, and the visitor economy in rural and regional Australia. Yvette bring...

How much of your business success depends on something you don't actually control? In this episode, Despina Karatzias unpacks two major industry stories, the new THRIVE 2030 Action Plan to 2030, launched on 12 February 2026, and the announcement that the Australian MotoGP is leaving Phillip Island for Adelaide from 2027 after nearly thirty years. Together these stories make the same case: building...

2025 fundamentally shifted how tourism operators connect with customers. AI moved from background technology to active intermediary 70% of tourism searches now end without visiting a business website. This finale episode for 2025 cuts through the noise: what actually drove results versus what just looked busy? Despina shares the brutal clarity needed for 2026, addressing both the gradual digital t...

In this episode of The Tourism Hub Podcast, host Despina Karatzias sits down with Linda Tillman, co-founder of the Australian Centre for Regional Events, to explore how collaboration and innovation are transforming regional tourism through events. Discover how a powerful moment at the Australian Regional Tourism Convention inspired Linda to champion regional and rural events, and how that spark le...

In this episode of the Tourism Hub Podcast, host Despina Karatzias sits down with Greg Viewing from the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) to discuss the importance of professional development in the tourism sector. Greg shares insights about the AICD's mission to elevate board professionalism and the newly launched partnership with Australian Regional Tourism aimed at enhancing gove...

In this inspiring episode of the Tourism Hub Podcast, host Despina Karatzias sits down with Lucy Dewhurst, a rising star in the tourism industry, to explore the multifaceted career pathways available in tourism. Lucy shares her personal journey, beginning with a pivotal moment in Halong Bay that ignited her passion for sustainable tourism and conservation. She reflects on her experiences volunteer...

In this enlightening episode of the Tourism Hub Podcast, host Despina Karatzias explores the transformative power of artificial intelligence in marketing and its implications for the tourism industry. Drawing on insights from industry leaders and recent research, Despina highlights the staggering growth of AI in marketing, projected to soar from $27.4 billion in 2023 to $107.5 billion by 2028. She...

In this thought-provoking episode of the Tourism Hub Podcast, host Despina Karatzias dives deep into the complexities of our digital lives and the impact of the attention economy. Drawing from a recent report by Dentsu, which reveals that the average person scrolls through an astounding 91 metres of content daily, Despina sets the stage for a conversation about the value of attention in today's wo...

In this dynamic episode of the Tourism Hub Podcast, host Despina Karatzias welcomes Linda Tillman from the Tilma Group, as they delve into the pivotal role of regional events in fostering community connections. Valinda shares her insights from the recent ART Convention in Mackay, where she and Stu Spears sparked a conversation about shifting the focus from solely economic metrics to a more holisti...

In this invigorating episode of the Tourism Hub Podcast, host Despina Karatzias reflects on the vital role of tourism in Australia and the importance of strategic planning as we enter a new financial year. With insights drawn from the latest research by Tourism Research Australia, Despina highlights the resilience of over 360,000 tourism-related businesses and the significance of solo operators an...

In this enlightening episode of the Tourism Hub Podcast, host Despina Karatzias engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Dana Ronan from Nourish Group. They discuss exciting developments in the tourism industry, including the announcement of the 2025 ART Convention set to take place in the beautiful Adelaide Hills, just a short drive from Adelaide's city centre. Listeners will gain insight...

In this empowering episode of the Tourism Hub Podcast, host Despina Karatzias explores the transformative power of intentional networking. Drawing from her own journey in the tourism industry, Despina shares a unique framework she calls "Net," designed to help listeners connect more strategically and purposefully. She reflects on her recent speaking engagement at the City of Monash and Eastern Inn...

In this vibrant episode of the Tourism Hub Podcast, host Despina Karatzias chats with Melissa Souter Robertson from the Shire of Collie, WA, as they discuss her experiences at the recent ART convention in Mackay. Melissa shares her enthusiasm for the event, highlighting the inspiring speakers and invaluable insights gained from the agritourism conference, which has sparked her interest in implemen...

In this insightful episode of the Tourism Hub Podcast, host Despina Karatzias dives deep into the crucial topic of seasonality in tourism, exploring how it can be both a challenge and an opportunity for businesses. Drawing from her own experiences in the hot air balloon industry, Despina shares valuable strategies on how small businesses can effectively manage seasonal fluctuations and thrive thro...

In this enlightening episode of the Tourism Hub Podcast, host Despina Karatzias sits down with ne Lewis from Ecotourism Australia to discuss the vital intersection of agritourism and sustainable practices. Corinne shares her experiences from the recent ART conference, highlighting the inspiring stories of local farmers who are blending their agricultural roots with tourism, all while navigating th...

In this engaging episode of the Tourism Hub Podcast, host Despina Karatzias uncovers the transformative power of film tourism and its profound impact on travel destinations. Despina takes listeners on a journey from the iconic Crocodile Dundee to the modern-day phenomenon of Mamma Mia and the critically acclaimed series The White Lotus, exploring how these cultural touchstones have shaped travel t...

  In this thought-provoking episode of the Tourism Hub Podcast, host Despina Karatzias explores the evolution of tourism and the complex interplay between technology and societal change. Despina delves into the concept of systems thinking, urging listeners to look beyond superficial solutions to understand the deeper dynamics at play in the tourism industry. She challenges the notion that technolo...

In this empowering episode of the Tourism Hub Podcast, host Despina Karatzias dives into the legacy of the iconic Frida Kahlo, exploring how her life and art can inspire bold action in the tourism industry. As we celebrated International Women's Day, Despina reflects on Frida's resilience and creativity, sharing insights on how we can channel her spirit to elevate our own businesses and experience...

In this captivating episode of the Tourism Hub Podcast, host Despina Karatzias welcomes the inspiring Rose Wright from Regionality to explore the burgeoning field of agritourism in Australia. Fresh from the inaugural Agritourism Forum for Tourism Australia, Rose shares her journey and insights into how agritourism is transforming the landscape for farmers and rural communities. Rose delves into th...

In this impactful episode of the Tourism Hub Podcast, host Despina Karatzias takes a deep dive into the newly launched Experience Melbourne 2028, Melbourne's destination management plan aimed at shaping the city's visitor economy over the next five years.  The episode highlights the significance of a Destination Management Plan (DMP) as a collaborative effort that aligns businesses, governments, a...

In this exciting episode of the Tourism Hub Podcast, host Despina Karatzias welcomes Hamish Fell, a visionary in the tourism tech space and a board member of the Australian Regional Tourism Network (ART). Together, they explore the future of travel and tourism, diving into how technological advancements will shape the way we travel, especially for the next generation. Hamish shares insights from h...