Tourism Matters

Professor Judith Mair: Motherhood, Migration and a Career in Tourism

In this episode of Tourism Matters, I’m joined by Professor Judith Mair, Academic Director and Associate Dean (Education) at The Hotel School Australia, Southern Cross University. Judith’s career began in Scotland, where she studied languages before finding her way into tourism through visitor information, VisitScotland, tour operations, marketing and hotel business development. After becoming a mother, she moved into academia, completing a PhD and later building a research career across tourism, hospitality and events. In this conversation, Judith shares what it was like to rethink her career after motherhood, move from Scotland to Australia with a young family, and build a new professional life through networks, research and teaching. We also explore Judith’s research into events, sustainability, climate change, mega-event legacies and the social value of events, including the harder-to-measure impacts like community pride, belonging and what we lovingly describe as the “vibe”. Later in the episode, Judith talks through The Hotel School’s flexible delivery model, including six-week terms, reduced cognitive load, industry-connected curriculum and paid internships designed to help students move more smoothly into tourism and hospitality careers. This is a conversation about careers, education, events, motherhood, migration and why tourism and hospitality remain deeply human industries, even as technology and AI continue to change the way we work.  What You’ll Take Away From This Episode *  Why tourism careers often evolve through curiosity, opportunity and reinvention rather than a fixed plan.  *  How Judith moved from languages into tourism, and then from industry into academia.  *  Why motherhood can change a career path without diminishing it.  *  The importance of networks when rebuilding or redirecting a tourism career.  *  How events create value beyond economic impact, including pride, identity, belonging and social connection.  *  Why tourism and event research needs to be easier for industry to access and use.  *  How The Hotel School Australia’s flexible teaching model is designed around the real lives of students.  *  Why paid internships can help students graduate with both qualifications and meaningful experience.  *  Judith’s perspective on AI, automation and the irreplaceable role of human service in hospitality.  About Professor Judith Mair Professor Judith Mair is Academic Director and Associate Dean (Education) at The Hotel School Australia, Southern Cross University. Judith’s research aims to understand and enhance the positive impacts of tourism and events on the communities and societies which host them.  Her research expertise lies in fields including mega-event legacies, the future of events, the links between events and social connectivity, and the potential impacts of climate change on the events sector. She has published over 60 refereed articles in international journals and has worked with the International Olympics Olympic Committee and the Queensland Government on projects including event legacies, understanding social impacts of tourism and events, and assessing the impacts of climate change on the sector. Connect with Judith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/professor-judith-mair-29778a2a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/professor-judith-mair-29778a2a/] Organisations Referenced *  The Hotel School Australia: https://hotelschool.scu.edu.au/ *  Southern Cross University: https://www.scu.edu.au/ *  VisitScotland: https://www.visitscotland.com/ *  University of Strathclyde: https://www.strath.ac.uk/ *  Victoria University: https://www.vu.edu.au/ *  Monash University: https://www.monash.edu/ *  University of Queensland: https://www.uq.edu.au/ *  Centre for Events and Festivals: https://www.eventsandfestivals.org/ Episode Chapters  00:00 Introduction to Professor Judith Mair  01:37 Welcome and getting to know Judith  03:49 Growing up in Scotland  04:53 Studying languages and early career ideas  06:13 Discovering tourism through visitor information  08:52 Working in Scotland’s tourism industry  10:31 Motherhood and rethinking her career  12:04 Moving from Scotland to Australia  14:25 Rebuilding a career through networks  18:02 Research into events, sustainability and climate change  20:36 Event legacies and social impact  23:48 Measuring the “vibe” of major events  25:40 Moving into teaching and academia  31:50 Joining The Hotel School Australia  33:25 Judith’s current role at Southern Cross University  36:37 The Hotel School’s flexible delivery model  40:29 Paid internships and industry connection  43:43 Career advice for parents and career changers  46:23 AI, hospitality and the value of human service  49:23 Carmen’s closing reflections

Hannah Pearson: Travel, Startups and Building a Business Through Crisis and Consistency

In this episode of Tourism Matters, I’m joined by Hannah Pearson, founder of Pear Anderson and co-host of the Southeast Asia Travel Show. Hannah’s career has taken her from studying languages at Oxford to teaching in France and China, corporate London, Kuala Lumpur, travel startups, market representation and founding Pear Anderson, a tourism sales, marketing and market intelligence business focused on Southeast Asia. We talk about winding tourism careers, unexpected opportunities, building a business in travel, and how Hannah’s weekly Southeast Asia travel report became a trusted industry resource during COVID. We also discuss workforce challenges, including the disconnect between education and industry, the need for better training, and why passion matters but cannot replace fair pay, support and development. What you will takeaway... *  Tourism careers rarely follow a straight line  *  Sales in tourism is really about relationships and market fit  *  Consistency can build serious credibility over time  *  Education, industry and young professionals are often disconnected  *  Passion matters, but it cannot be used as an excuse for burnout  About Hannah Pearson Hannah Pearson is the founder of Pear Anderson, a tourism sales, marketing and market intelligence company focused on Southeast Asia. Originally from the UK, Hannah studied French and Classics at Oxford before working across China, Malaysia, outbound travel, B2B sales, travel tech, market representation and tourism research. She is also co-host of the Southeast Asia Travel Show. Organisations Referenced * Pear Anderson – https://www.pearanderson.com [https://www.pearanderson.com] *  Report: The Evolving Tourism Workforce: Human Capital Development in APAC – https://www.pata.org/research-q1v63g6n2dw/p/human-capital-development-in-apac [https://www.pata.org/research-q1v63g6n2dw/p/human-capital-development-in-apac] *  Southeast Asia Travel Show – https://www.theseasiatravelshow.com/ [https://www.theseasiatravelshow.com/] *  PATA – https://www.pata.org [https://www.pata.org] *  VisitBritain – https://www.visitbritain.org [https://www.visitbritain.org] *  GoQuo – https://www.goquo.com [https://www.goquo.com] *  University of Oxford – https://www.ox.ac.uk [https://www.ox.ac.uk] Episode Chapters  00:00 – Introduction to Hannah Pearson  02:57 – Hannah’s early life, travel and love of languages  05:48 – Studying at Oxford and spending a year in France  08:42 – Teaching in China and travelling home via the Trans-Siberian Railway  11:24 – Returning to the UK and starting corporate life  14:14 – Moving to Malaysia and entering the travel industry  16:58 – Building an outbound travel team in Kuala Lumpur  19:51 – Sales, representation and building networks across Southeast Asia  22:33 – Cultural awareness and market differences in Southeast Asian travel  24:01 – Navigating language, culture and practical challenges on the road  26:15 – Moving into the travel startup world  28:01 – Learning travel tech, dynamic packaging and airline partnerships  29:17 – The reality of entrepreneurship in tourism  31:19 – Launching Pear Anderson and choosing independence  34:00 – How COVID reshaped the business  36:31 – Creating a weekly Southeast Asia travel intelligence resource  38:04 – Growing Pear Anderson and building industry influence  40:31 – Workforce challenges, education and industry disconnects  46:21 – Passion, wages and retaining people in tourism  50:24 – Hannah’s final reflections

Carmen Bold: From Bungy Jumping to Supporting Entrepreneurs, my Tourism Career, Built One Opportunity at a Time

Episode Description This one flips the script. For the first time on Tourism Matters, Carmen moves from host to guest, with Sarah Jane Tilbury taking the reins. What unfolds is not a polished career narrative. It’s a real one. From retail floors to reservations desks, bungy platforms to Rugby World Cup operations, entrepreneurship to industry capability work - Carmen’s 25-year career is built on instinct, movement, and saying yes to opportunity. There’s no linear path here. But there is a pattern. Follow your gut. Stay close to the industry. Take the next interesting step. This episode pulls back the curtain on what a tourism career actually looks like - and why the industry has far more depth, opportunity, and longevity than people give it credit for. What You’ll Take Away *  Why tourism careers rarely follow a straight path — and why that’s a strength  *  How early decisions (and non-decisions) shape long-term career direction  *  What working across Australia and New Zealand teaches you about the industry  *  The reality of frontline roles — and why they accelerate learning fast  *  Lessons from major events like the Rugby World Cup 2011 *  The difference between having experience and building capability  *  Why entrepreneurship is a sharper teacher than most jobs  *  The hidden career pathways most people don’t see in tourism  *  Why the industry has a workforce perception problem  *  How human connection — not systems — defines great tourism experiences  About Sarah Jane Tilbury Sarah Jane Tilbury is an experienced tourism and operations leader with a background spanning transport, experiences, and team leadership across Australia and the UK. She brings a sharp operational lens, a strong understanding of people and performance, and just enough humour to keep Carmen on her toes. Organisations & Platforms Referenced * SeaLink: www.sealink.com.au [https://www.sealink.com.au/] * Adventure Tours Australia: www.adventuretours.com.au/ [https://www.adventuretours.com.au/] * AJ Hackett Bungy: www.bungy.co.nz/ [https://www.bungy.co.nz/] * Tourism Holdings Limited: https://www.thlonline.com/ [https://www.thlonline.com/] * Kiwi Experience: https://www.kiwiexperience.com/ [https://www.kiwiexperience.com/] * Destination Southern Tasmania: https://southerntasmania.com.au/ *  Tourism Matters Careers (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/company/tourism-matters-careers/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/tourism-matters-careers/] *  carmenbold.com: https://www.carmenbold.com/ [https://www.carmenbold.com/] Episode Chapters 00:00 – Introduction and role reversal with Sarah Jane Tilbury  02:00 – Following instinct and staying connected in the industry  07:00 – Early career decisions and entering tourism  10:00 – First roles in reservations and industry exposure  17:00 – Moving to New Zealand and adventure tourism  22:00 – Bungy, celebrities, and unexpected moments  29:00 – Rugby World Cup and large-scale event operations  32:00 – Operational leadership and career progression  39:00 – Entrepreneurship and the reality of building a business  44:00 – Industry development, mentoring, and education  50:00 – Why Tourism Matters exists  54:00 – Workforce challenges and industry perception  58:00 – The role of people in delivering experiences  61:00 – Advice for emerging professionals  64:00 – Final reflections on career, industry, and opportunity

Tabetha Beggs: Building a Tourism Career Through Curiosity, Risk and Storytelling

Tabetha Beggs hasn’t followed a straight path - no, no. In this episode of Tourism Matters, Carmen sits down with Tabetha Beggs, Tourism Experiences Lead at Destination Perth, to explore a career shaped by curiosity, risk-taking, and a willingness to step into opportunities before feeling fully ready. From early ambitions in the arts to roles across tourism, local government, and destination development, Tabetha shares how each experience - expected or not - has contributed to where she is today. This is a conversation about backing yourself, listening deeply to communities, and understanding that tourism is ultimately about people and stories. What You’ll Take Away * Why applying for jobs you’re not “qualified” for can change your career * The role of lived experience in shaping tourism professionals * Why community voice matters in destination marketing * How regional tourism organisations are evolving beyond marketing * The value of saying yes to unexpected opportunities * Why no experience is ever wasted — even the ones that don’t make sense at the time * The importance of storytelling in tourism and place-making About Tabetha Beggs Tabetha is the Tourism Experiences Lead at Destination Perth, with a career spanning tourism, arts, local government, and destination development. She has previously held roles with Tourism Western Australia and the City of Perth, and is deeply passionate about community engagement, storytelling, and creating meaningful tourism experiences. Tabetha is also an active mentor, supporting emerging leaders through the Women in Tourism & Hospitality Mentorship Program. Connecting with Tabetha LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tabetha-beggs-a57a2771/ Organisations Referenced Destination Perth: https://www.destinationperth.com.au/ Tourism Western Australia: https://www.westernaustralia.com/en/pages/home Royal Society of Arts: https://www.thersa.org/ Episode Chapters 00:00 – Introduction to Tabetha Beggs 00:30 – From cheese counter to career beginnings 01:20 – Applying for roles before you’re ready 02:16 – Travel, perspective, and curiosity 03:51 – Growing up in Perth Hills 06:43 – Early career ambitions and work experience 09:47 – Arts, theatre, and life experience 12:51 – The unexpected value of early jobs 16:16 – Moving to the UK and career pivots 18:39 – Taking risks and saying yes 20:35 – Why you should apply anyway 22:34 – Working across the UK in exhibitions 25:00 – Returning to Australia and career challenges 29:34 – Kalgoorlie and unexpected opportunities 36:30 – Transition into tourism 41:28 – Strategic roles and industry involvement 45:00 – Community voice in tourism 55:00 – Mentorship and career growth 60:43 – Networking and volunteering 66:18 – Open-minded travel and learning 68:43 – Storytelling in tourism 75:14 – The evolving role of RTOs 77:30 – Final reflections

Birgitta March: Languages, Academia & Why Tour Guides Are More Important Than Ever

Episode Description In this episode of Tourism Matters, Carmen sits down with Birgitta March, a tourism lecturer, PhD researcher, and former international tour guide. Exploring a career that spans continents, sectors, and decades. From guiding high-end clients in the US to interpreting across Australia and now shaping future professionals in higher education, Birgitta shares a grounded and insightful perspective on the tourism industry. The conversation dives into the evolving role of tour guides, the importance of language and cultural intelligence, and the challenges facing the sector today — from workforce perception to technology shifts. Birgitta also shares her current PhD research focused on bridging gaps between tourism education and Indigenous communities, raising important questions about how we teach and represent knowledge in the industry. What You’ll Take Away From This Episode *  Why tour guiding is more complex (and valuable) than it’s perceived  *  The role of language, interpretation, and cultural intelligence in tourism  *  What makes a great guide - and why extroversion isn’t required  *  The real challenges facing tour guides today (pay, hours, recognition, tech)  *  How tourism careers can evolve across guiding, events, and education  *  Why human connection still matters in an AI-driven world  *  Insights into tourism education and student pathways  *  The importance of ethical, community-informed knowledge in tourism training  About Birgitta March Birgitta March is a lecturer in Tourism and Hospitality Management at William Angliss Institute and a PhD researcher focused on tourism education. Her career spans international tour guiding, interpreting, business events, and education. She has worked across Europe, the United States, and Australia, guiding high-end clients, technical delegations, and cultural tours. Birgitta’s research explores the social identity of tour guides and the role of education in shaping a more inclusive and informed tourism industry - particularly in relation to Indigenous communities. Connect with Birgitta on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/birgitta-march-tourism-expertise/ Organisations Referenced * William Angliss Institute: https://www.angliss.edu.au/ * Tour Guides Australia: https://tga.org.au/ Episode Chapters 00:00 – Introduction and episode overview  00:23 – Birgitta’s background in tourism and guiding  03:20 – Growing up in Belgium and early influences  06:40 – Studying languages and entering tourism  13:00 – Moving to the US and guiding high-end clients  20:45 – Transition to Australia and early tour guiding challenges  24:55 – Technical tours and interpreting across industries  30:34 – Moving into teaching and education  34:21 – Research on tour guide identity and belonging  36:25 – Key challenges facing tour guides today  41:12 – AI, tourism, and the role of human connection  48:45 – Transition to higher education and PhD research  50:24 – Bridging tourism education and Indigenous knowledge  55:43 – Final reflections on tourism careers