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Opinion
There’s nothing like inertia in the face of a downturn
Do you remember the big fanfare when Tourism Australia launched its ‘There’s Nothing Like Australia’ campaign, and invited the nation to share its favourite Australian places and experiences with the world? I’m sure you do, we wrote about it extensively at the time, and TA managing director Andrew McEvoy even wrote a column for Thumbrella urging the backpacking sector to get involved. Read more »
Here’s how to cash in on the gap year boom
In this guest posting, Gapyear.com founder Tom Griffiths tells you how to cash in on disappointed UK students who miss out on a university place this year.
UK media reports that 200,000 young people will miss out on university places this year may be overhyped – in truth about 100,000 don’t normally get in anyway – but it’s still a shocking statistic. And an opportunity for you guys Down Under to cash in. Read more »
Lonely Planet – the gift that keeps on giving
There’s nothing my kids hate more than hearing me start a telling off with the phrase “when I was a kid…” It usually follows them taking an ordinary household item – like the family computer – for granted. Read more »
ATEC could do worse than appoint the next Matt Hingerty to replace the last one
As a long-suffering England soccer fan, I’ve noticed a trend in the way the Football Association appoints the national team manager. That is, it tends to go for the polar opposite of the man who went before. If you don’t believe me, here’s the recent evidence… Read more »
Another Wicked piece of marketing
I’ve written about this before, but once again I have to confess to a sneaking admiration for the PR and marketing expertise of John Webb and Wicked Campers. Read more »
Grounds for cautious optimism, but things could get worse before they get better
Just got back from a couple of weeks in London – surely the world’s most depressed capital city at the moment, but more of that later – and everyone I speak to seems to be 20 per cent down. Read more »
BOA successfully talks up the ‘Gong and south coast
BOA president Katrina Greeves’ wrap-up on last week’s regional meeting in Wollongong.
Over 10 local South Coast tourism operators joined BOA Committee representatives and members at the ‘BOA Talks South Coast’ event in Wollongong last Thursday to engage in lively debate regarding travel and tourism issues affecting the backpacker, student and youth market in the south coast region. Read more »
What prison taught me about discounting
Founder of Brokepacker.com Kevin Lippy explains there are three types of discounting ahead of the website’s launch tonight.
A prison yard is a tough, volatile, dangerous, cut throat and an extremely unpredictable environment… Kind of like the Australian backpacking industry during low season. Read more »
How many backpackers does it take to change a lightbulb?
Thumbrella is conducting an exclusive industry survey this week, with just one question. How many of your customers are idiots? Read more »
How’s business?
So, how’s business? It’s a simple question, but it seems there’s no easy answer. Read more »
Australian backpacking is the pulse we watch to gauge the health of the industry worldwide
In this guest post, gapyear.com founder Tom Griffiths relects on the recent ATEC Backpacker and Youth Industry Conference and why Australia’s backpacking industry still leads the world.
Like most of the delegates I spoke to, I found the recent ATEC Backpacker and Youth Industry Conference extremely interesting and useful. It’s very easy in these current times to set a safe agenda to cater for an industry licking its wounds, who want to hear good news stories and see rainbows ahead. Read more »
McEvoy: ‘Put your tourism experiences on the map’
Tourism Australia managing director Andrew McEvoy discusses the first stages of the There’s nothing like Australia campaign and urges the industry to get involved. Read more »
How many BTAP members does it take to count to 11?
ATEC New South Wales hosted its annual trivia night last week with the backpacking team and defending champions Generation YHA determined to retain the trophy.
After a closely fought contest in which Gen YHA always had their noses in front, they went into the final round with a slender two-point lead.
Their nerves were calmed, however, when the quizmaster asked: “How many people are there on the Backpacking Tourism Advisory Panel or BTAP?”
What a gift! Generation YHA not only boasted ATEC’s Industry Development Manager with responsibility for the backpacking sector Jennifer Woodbridge, but BTAP Chair Peter Burke. Both are members of BTAP.
“Twelve,” they chimed in unison, and victory seemed assured. The answer – of course – is 11.
Happily, despite the best efforts of Woodbridge and Burke – or “Dumb and Dumber” as they are now known – Generation YHA took out the crown for the second year running.
The team is already looking to next year, however, with cheerleader-in-chief Elinor Sheargold of YHA keen to recruit new talent. And who can blame her?
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Comments
31 Aug 09
10:20 am
I think you had one too many beers Lane….the answer on the night was 13, but both Peter and I said there are 11. The Quiz Master had taken information off our website which was unfortunately incorrect….hmmm
Besides, albeit the correct answer – only a nerd would know that Paddington Bear if from Peru!!
31 Aug 09
11:39 am
I will check my shorthand note and get back to you…
31 Aug 09
3:22 pm
Somebody please pass me the Justin Langer Dossier……
I find it extraordinary that Mr Lane can write the above article without disclosing his presence on the table as a member of Genration YHA. Little wonder that Journalists, even pretend Journo’s like Mr Lane are loved less than lawyers, but what’s most extraodrinary is that instead of running a story about how the win by Generation YHA is symbolic of the entire tourism industry. Once again the under-rated unappreaciated Backpacker / Youth team proves to be the one constant, the only bankable section of tourism in Australia. The headline could’ve been ‘Generational change runs away with trophy – two years running” but despite being part of the winning team, Mr Lane chooses to run with a negative story. Is that the Journalist trying to stimulate discussion, or just another pommy having a whinge. later in the evening Mr Lane almost had me beleiving the Langer Dossier was absolute rubbish with his briliant tirade against Gen Y’ers who were driving him insane with their outrageous workplace demands, “The doctor said I should stay home today as I’ve got a severe case of stove-pipe pants and girly hair”…but then the irony hit home…a Pom complaining about complainers..enough irony ore to sell to China. The birds are too noisy, the sun is too hot, the beer is too cold…
BTW, the winning margin was 2 points……who picked the theme to ‘the young doctors’ and the movie scene from ‘Beetlejuice’??? That’s right I won it for YOU big guy.
31 Aug 09
3:35 pm
Love your work Peter!!!!!
3 Sep 09
11:07 am
Off the topic – but as a founder of the BITE and active BTAP participant in a former existence, can I say this new format looks great! Love ya work!
3 Sep 09
11:23 am
Thanks Kerri – we aim to please!
Cheers
Martin – Thumbrella
6 Sep 09
6:11 pm
I’m still waiting to hear if Mr Lane is going to confess to his error…
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