Our fourth podcast produced exclusively for Bundaberg tourism operators is now available on YouTube, again in audio format for easy listening. Take a look at the video below or check it our on YouTube.
Attracting Asian visitors to Bundaberg is clearly great for the local economy, but what does it mean for your business if you start receiving guests or customers who don’t appear to speak much – or any – English? Does it mean you’ll lose a potentially lucrative customer? Possibly, yes!
In this episode, we share some simple tips for overcoming language barriers with your Asian visitors who may not be fluent in English.
Our third podcast produced exclusively for Bundaberg tourism operators is now available on YouTube, again in audio format for easy listening. Here’s the link.
Or take a look at this epesode below.
In this episode, we return to our most popular podcast segment called “What’s Going On?” where you get to ask questions about challenging situations regarding your Asian guests.
This episode’s question is by Brett Lakey from The Lady Musgrave Experience and it relates to capitalising on Asian visitors’ eagerness to take selfies and the associated safety risks you should be aware of.
In case you missed it, the last episode’s “What’s Going On?” question was by Zoe Young from Ohana Cider House & Tropical Winery. Here’s the link to Episode 2.
Or check out the epesode below.
Our second podcast produced exclusively for Bundaberg tourism operators is now available on YouTube, this time in audio format for easy listening. Here’s the link
In this episode, our feature story on “Incorporating Distinctively Local Elements Into Your Tourism Product” looks at how you can create an extra memorable experience for your Asian visitors they’ll want to share with their friends.
Later in this episode, we provide an update on some of the exciting developments that came out of our recent Project Asia Bootcamp hosted by Bundaberg Tourism.
And lastly, we have a new podcast segment called “What’s Going On” where you get to ask questions about Asian visitors specific to your business. Today’s question is by Zoe Young from Ohana Cider House & Tropical Winery.
In case you missed it, the first episode of our monthly video podcast is also on YouTube. Here’s the link or take a look at the video below!
These monthly podcasts feature ideas on how you can make Asia-friendly enhancements. If you have any Asia-related challenges or topics you’d like covered in future podcasts, please contact BT’s Maddison Clerke at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Project Asia is a 5-year program to develop Asian cultural capabilities of Bundaberg tourism operators. Project Asia is commissioned by Bundaberg Tourism. The Project Asia Bundaberg podcast is produced by Craig Shim from Alphacrane Intercultural Specialists.
Outcomes from the Project Asia Bootcamp
Last week, our Asia-Ready tourism operators participated in the 2019 Project Asia Bootcamp facilitated by Craig Shim of Alphacrane Intercultural Specialists to workshop ideas on how we can implement Asia-friendly enhancements in our businesses.
Here are some of the outcomes:
• Overcoming language barriers. Businesses discussed how they can use QR Codes and the translation function of Chinese app WeChat as a simple and cost-effective way to provide information to Chinese visitors.
• Sharing personal recommendations for upselling. We discovered the power of offering personal recommendations and discovered what our Asian visitors are really willing to pay for during their Bundaberg trip in terms of experiences, retail, food and drinks.
• Visibility in China. We agreed on an initiative to start seeding Bundaberg content that aligns with key messaging outlined in the Asia-Ready Strategy as a starting point for activating positive user-generated content on Chinese digital platforms.
• SOPs for rough weather cancellations. Rather than losing visitors during rough weather events, we initiated a project to develop Standard Operating Procedures to keep visitors in region, leveraging an alliance of Asia-friendly operators that can accommodate groups at short notice.
• Negotiating a rate rise with Asian partners. We discussed culturally appropriate ways to handle the sensitive issue of rate rises, with practical considerations on how to negotiate with Asian businesses.
• Bilingual destination map. Given how digitally-savvy our Asian visitors are, we initiated a project to develop an online, bilingual destination map that tourism operators can use when engaging with Chinese-speaking visitors.
If you’d like to know more about our Project Asia initiatives, please contact BT’s Maddison Clerke at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Have you watched our Project Asia Bundaberg Podcast?
In case you missed it, the first episode of our monthly video podcast is now on YouTube! Here’s the link: https://youtu.be/GYSOhxRMaZ4 or watch it below!
These monthly podcasts feature ideas on how you can make Asia-friendly enhancements. If you have any Asia-related challenges or topics you’d like covered in future podcasts, please contact BT’s Maddison Clerke at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The first episode of our monthly video podcast is ready! Take a look below!
We start with a feature story on the Asian self-drive market where we uncover what opportunities this presents for Bundaberg and how you, as tourist operators, can leverage these opportunities.
We also hear from Brett Lakey of Lady Musgrave Experience. He reveals some of the Asia-friendly enhancements he's implemented in his business.
These monthly podcasts feature ideas on how you can make Asia-friendly enhancements. If you have any Asia-related challenges or topics you’d like covered in future podcasts, please contact BT’s Maddison Clerke at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
We’re Ready to Implement Project Asia
We’ve committed to the second year of Project Asia, our industry-ready program to develop the cultural capabilities of Bundaberg tourism operators so that we can capitalise on visitor growth from Asia.
Last year we identified a handful of lucrative Asian target market segments that are best suited to our region. Over 20 local tourism operators participated in the program and contributed to the development of an Asia-Ready Strategy for Bundaberg.
Now we shift to the implementation phase with the continuing advice of Craig Shim from Alphacrane Intercultural Specialists.
What to expect over the next year…
We’re working with our local international-ready members to roll out initiatives such as making Asia-friendly product enhancements, improving how we coordinate the handling of rough weather cancellations so that we don’t lose visitors, establishing an online presence in China and making it easier for Asian visitors to find and book Bundaberg experiences before they arrive in Australia.
Even if your business isn’t international-ready we still want you to benefit from the increase of Asian visitation we expect for our region. That’s why we’ll be sharing with you a monthly video podcast featuring ideas on how you can make Asia-friendly enhancements. The podcast will also feature local case studies, news of overseas trends relevant for Bundaberg as well as updates on Project Asia. If you have any Asia-related challenges or topics you’d like covered in these podcasts, please contact BT’s Maddison Clerke at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Asian solo female independent travellers
The Asia-Ready Tourism Strategy for Bundaberg found that we already have a critical mass experiences that directly appeal to a specific segment of Asian “Experience Seekers”, especially Asian Millennials. They’re seeking to push their personal boundaries, visually spectacular experiences and distinctly local experiences that can’t be replicated elsewhere.
But how can we reach this segment and let them know about our Bundaberg offering?
This article from Jing Travel features an Australian Chinese travel blogger, Carrie Ma. It’s an insightful look into the mindset of a target segment relevant to Bundaberg: the Asian solo female independent traveller. “Traveling is not about sharing beautiful photos; it’s more about sharing deep thoughts and experiences after experiencing a country and its people. It’s more about wiping away the stereotypes brought by various biases, and to learn, to respect and to tolerate the differences, and to encourage people to explore.”
