We are thrilled to announce that TRC Tourism has been honoured with the Excellence in International Business award at the Far South Coast Business Awards 2024! ✨We are also proud to share that TRC is now a Finalist in the 2024 State Business Awards. The Excellence in International Business award is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our extraordinary team and our valued global partners. Your unwavering support has been instrumental in helping us achieve remarkable milestones and create a positive impact across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and the Pacific.
Highlights from the Past Year:
In the past 12 months, TRC Tourism has undertaken 13 significant international projects, showcasing our commitment to sustainable and innovative tourism practices. Here are some highlights:
- Fiji: TRC Consultant Penny Spoelder worked closely with Maria Ronna Luna Pastorizo-Sekiguchi, Founder of The Greenhouse Studio, and the Tourism Fiji team on their new corporate plan. Funded by the ADB’s Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative, this plan will guide their program for the next four years and support the development of the new National Sustainable Tourism Framework 2024 – 2034.
- Vanuatu: TRC Senior Consultant Tracy Johnston recently spent 8 days with the Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO) on a project funded by the Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI). The VTO Marketing Strategy will provide the direction to enable VTO to prioritise their energies with clarity of purpose to optimise the opportunities ahead.
- Seychelles: TRC Senior Consultant Penny Spoelder and the Seychelles Tourism Department, supported by the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, are developing a new Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework. This framework aims to enhance the resilience, prosperity, and inclusivity of Seychelles’ tourism sector.
- Timor-Leste: TRC Directors Janet Mackay and Kylie Ruwhiu-Karawana recently evaluated the tourism support program delivered by The Asia Foundation for the NZ Government. This program has introduced new experiences related to Timor-Leste’s coffee production and adventure tourism. Janet and Kylie were also exploring the potential of mountain biking and other nature-based adventures in Alieu and Maubisse.
- Pacific Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework: TRC’s collaboration with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation on the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework and Standards earned us the Commonwealth Secretary General’s Award for Innovation in Sustainable Development. This groundbreaking project developed the first GSTC-endorsed regional tourism destination and industry standards, setting a new benchmark for sustainability and regional collaboration.
- Regional Workshops and Conferences: This year, we hosted the Sustainable Trails Conference in Central Otago, New Zealand, and presented at the World Trails Conference in Skiathos, Greece. Our team also facilitated two Regional Consultation workshops in Fiji, focusing on the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Standards and the Pacific Marine Tourism Guidelines.
- Pacific Cultural Tourism Guidelines: In collaboration with the Pacific Tourism Organisation, we helped develop the Pacific Cultural Tourism Guidelines, which aim to preserve cultural heritage and promote sustainable tourism across the Pacific.
- Asian Development Bank (ADB): TRC Tourism was engaged by the Asian Development Bank to consult with over fifteen island countries of the South Pacific Tourism Organisation. Our goal was to help shape future value propositions and core competencies for the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.
- SPTO Organisational Review: TRC Tourism Director Kylie Ruwhiu-Karawana and Consultant Natasha Paul led a workshop in Suva, Fiji, to present the findings of an organisational review to the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) staff. This review aimed to enhance SPTO’s ability to support sustainable tourism in the region following the impacts of COVID-19 and involved extensive feedback from various stakeholders.
TRC extends our congratulations to all the other finalists and winners at the Far South Coast Business Awards 2024. We are proud to be among such remarkable companies! Thank you for your continued support and partnership.
Here’s to more achievements and impactful projects in the future! 🌟
