TOURISM PLANNING
WITH PURPOSE

TOURISM PLANNING THAT BENEFITS PEOPLE AND PLACES

In a rapidly evolving tourism landscape, TRC Tourism stands at the forefront of sustainable and inclusive destination planning. Our approach integrates environmental stewardship, cultural respect, and community engagement to create tourism experiences that benefit both people and places.

Why Choose TRC Tourism?

 

Balanced Outcomes: We plan for sustainable development that balances the social, cultural, environmental, and economic aspirations of local communities with the expectations of visitors. Welcoming destinations create positive visitor experiences.

Indigenous Community Engagement: We pride ourselves on genuine engagement with Indigenous communities to understand their aspirations and identify how tourism can benefit them.

Global Expertise and Networks: With extensive experience in tourism planning worldwide, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, we often collaborate with in-country consultants to ensure long-term project success.

Comprehensive Services: We offer a full range of tourism and recreation planning services, covering all aspects of destination and experience development.

Practical, Actionable Plans: Our plans are designed to be actionable, offering real-world value and a high success rate in securing funding and achieving project goals.

Commitment to Sustainability: We align our strategies with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and GSTC standards combined with relevant country standards, ensuring responsible tourism development across social, cultural, economic, and environmental aspirations.

Proven Track Record: With a strong history of successful projects across the globe, we are trusted partners in delivering sustainable tourism solutions.

TRC is committed to the application of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the New Zealand Tourism Sustainability Commitment. TRC is a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), and our team holds GSTC Professional Certificates in Sustainable Tourism. Our team of sustainable tourism practitioners provide practical advice on how to maximise the social, economic, environmental and cultural benefits of tourism.

What we offer

Destination Strategies and Management Plans

Tailored strategic plans for destinations, aligning community aspirations, government objectives and visitor expectations. Plans balance social, cultural, environmental and economic factors to foster long-term tourism resilience. Common inclusions:

  • Vision and positioning
  • Stakeholder engagement and co-design
  • Innovative online stakeholder engagement
  • Data-driven combined with qualitative decision-making 
  • Opportunity and gap analysis
  • Prioritised action plans and timelines
  • Marketing and promotional strategies
  • Ongoing practical advice and support for implementation 

Comprehensive analyses to assess viability and guide investment decisions. Creating innovative, authentic tourism experiences that resonate with visitors and provide meaningful benefits to local communities. Common inclusions:

  • Market analysis and demand forecasting
  • Economic and social impact assessments
  • Financial modelling and projections including cost estimates and ROI
  • Risk assessments and mitigation strategies
  • Investment and funding recommendations

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Innovative and unique solutions that enhance visitor experiences while supporting local communities. We reimagine and redesign how the experience can exceed the changing expectations of the visitor – guiding and empowering the tourism network to deliver transformational tourism and event experiences. Common inclusions:

  • Concept design aimed at strengthening consumer demand
  • Market demand assessment
  • Stakeholder, industry and community collaboration
  • Product testing
  • Experience audits and visitor satisfaction analysis
  • Viability assessments and financial analysis
  • Implementation and project management

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Assistance for destinations and businesses in achieving recognised sustainability certifications. This enhances destination and/or business credibility, attracts environmentally and socially conscious travellers, and improves environmental stewardship. Common inclusions:

  • Sustainability audits and gap analyses
  • Accreditation preparation and submission
  • Action plans for meeting certification standards

Tourism has the potential to drive social, cultural, and economic empowerment for Indigenous communities. At TRC, we embed culturally respectful strategies into every project, developed in close collaboration with Indigenous communities. Additionally, we offer a variety of specialised services, including:

  • Community capacity-building programs
  • Indigenous-led product and experience development
  • Aotearoa/Māori Tūmataiti, Tūmatanui/ Storytelling Development
  • Capacity building, resourcing and mentoring
  • Assist with Purposeful Engagement
  • Building values based team cultures

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Preparing destinations for climate-related impacts and other tourism disruptions by creating resilience strategies and crisis management frameworks. Common inclusions:

  • Climate change risk assessments
  • Strategies to help destinations adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
  • Support for destinations to prepare for and respond to tourism-related crises, including crisis management frameworks and response plans, and post-crisis recovery strategies

 

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

TESTIMONIALS

Gippsland Destination Management Plan

Janet and the TRC team did a great job with the Gippsland Destination Management Plan and I would recommend them to any regional tourism organisation.

Terry Robinson | CEO | Destination Gippsland

Kokoda Track Maintenance Program and Operations Manual 

The TRC team mobilised rapidly to PNG to assess and repair Kokoda Track bridges severely damaged in the very heavy wet season of last year being choppered into the remote rugged terrain of the Track. Working in very well with The Kokoda Track Authority Rangers, Kokoda Initiative and local communities their efforts and skill contributed greatly to the Kokoda Track being ready for the 2019 trekking season. Remote communities also benefited from being reconnected across the often treacherous river crossings. TRC also helped build the capacities of The Kokoda Track Authority Rangers and local communities to explore ways for future sustainable bridge building and general track maintenance works. The resultant Track Operations Manual produced by TRC is expected to be a valuable guide for future Kokoda Track works.

Damien Mate | Senior Program Manager | Kokoda Initiative Partnership

Queenstown Trails for the future 2015-2025

From the outset the TRC team were responsive, intelligent, forward thinking and always available. The Queenstown Trails Trust worked with the TRC team in 2015 to craft a 10 Year Strategic Plan. The nature of our business involves very important stakeholders, great vision and many face to face meetings to form our plan. . The result of this partnership being a very robust and well thought out plan that we are proud to utilise to assist us in setting the future path of the Queenstown Trails Trust. Interestingly – TRC also formulated the original Trails Trust plan way back in 2004 – it was great to have the opportunity of working with TRC again as they truly understand our business.

Mandy Kennedy | CEO | Queenstown Trails Trust (New Zealand)

Brook Waimarama Sanctuary Visitor Experience Strategy

TRC delivered a quality Visitor Experience Strategy for our organisation in a short timeframe. They took a practical approach that included gaining insight from the project’s key stakeholders and tied together the various elements of the project’s vision into a cohesive, actionable strategy.

Hudson Dodd | General Manager | Brook Waimarama Sanctuary Trust

Baw Baw Destination Action Plan, Marketing Plan & Recreational Vehicle and Tourism Signage Plan

TRC’s expertise in developing successful strategies regarding visitor economies and regional tourism proved extremely helpful to Baw Baw Shire Council when it sought guidance in enhancing its own Tourism Marketing Strategy, as well as in creating detailed action plans for three hero destinations across the Shire.

Mark Kestigian | Executive Manager Communications & Economic Development | Baw Baw Shire Council

Destination Management Plan for Destination Southern NSW

TRC prepared and finalised our Regional Destination Management Plan on time and on budget. TRC provided great professional advice throughout the project – they also took on board the view and guidance we gave. From the outset we wanted a strong partnership with our contractor and that is exactly what we got from TRC – beginning to end.

General Manager | Destination Southern NSW

Wellington Regional Trails Framework

In 2017 TRC worked with land managers and stakeholders from around the Wellington Region to develop the Wellington Regional Trails Framework. TRC’s destination management expertise, experience and professional approach was critical to the success of this ambitious project, that has seen 11 different agencies align their approaches and come together to move Wellington from an ‘under the radar’ network of tracks to a world class trails destination for residents and visitors alike.

Sarah Murray | Community Partnerships Manager | Parks, Sport and Recreation | Wellington City Council

Concept Plan for Adventure Cycling in the Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park

TRC Tourism’s Concept Plan for Adventure Cycling in the Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park exceeded expectations. The case it presents for a new, nationally significant tourism product is so compelling it has attracted immediate government investment and presents exciting opportunities for private investors and Aboriginal Traditional Owners.

Mac Moyses | Director Planning | NT Parks and Wildlife Commission

Hamilton and Waikato Tourism Opportunities Plan

During 2016, the TRC team worked with Hamilton & Waikato Tourism and regional stakeholders to develop a comprehensive Tourism Opportunities Plan to identify opportunities for new and improved visitor experiences that had the greatest potential to drive growth. The TRC team brought significant experience in destination management and planning and a fresh perspective to the project. They were excellent to work with, engaged effectively with stakeholders and applied critical insights and analysis to complex issues.

Kiri Goulter

Tourism Infrastructure Audit for Northern Tasmania

Tourism Northern Tasmania set out to define the private and public sector investment needed to sustain intelligent growth in the visitor economy for the region. TRC and their associates provided the well-rounded analysis, consultation and reporting that resulted in a clear vision of what to develop, where across Northern Tasmania. Less than six months from endorsing the final work and we are already seeing significant progress on three key infrastructure projects as well as active interest from private sector investors to take on opportunities profiled in work.

Chris Griffin | CEO | Tourism Northern Tasmania

Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary Concept and Interpretation Plan

I really appreciated the TRC Team’s professional and honest opinions in the final report and the thorough and thoughtful approach with our stakeholders.

Jasmine Foxlee | Manager Community and Visitor Programs (Acting) | Parks and Conservation Service (PCS) | Environment and Planning Directorate

Coastal Pacific Trail Feasibility Assessment

With the November 2016 Kaikoura Earthquake, a potential opportunity was raised to develop a cycle trail from Picton to Kaikoura. TRC were engaged to perform an initial feasibility investigation. TRC were very professional and were able to provide independent guidance in their report on how governance structures should be set up should the project proceed, with likely jobs generated for the region. They delivered on time and to budget.

Richard Coningham | Manager Assets and Services | Marlborough District Council

Visitor Experience Strategy for Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve

In engaging TRC Tourism the ACT Parks & Conservation Service was seeking to develop a holistic Visitor Experience Strategy for Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. As an iconic destination Tidbinbilla is ideally positioned to leverage from the emerging nature based tourism appetite for authentic experiences in a natural setting. Working with all stakeholders in a collaborative, intuitive manner TRC Tourism delivered a high quality outcome. A strategic blue print for the future.

Brett McNamara | Regional Manager | Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, Namadgi National Park

New Zealand National Wetlands Trust Feasibility Study

Being a nationally significant project that will rely on tourist visits for its long-term financial sustainability, it’s crucial we get the best advice from professionals in the industry. TRC was our first port of call for a reality check on the feasibility of our proposal.

Karen Denyer | Executive Officer | National Wetland Trust