"Simply remarkable" internationally-recognised tourism leader and award judge Elizabeth Hackett - Visitor Economy Profile

Elizabeth Hackett chairs the Australian Adventure Tourism (AAT) Group - a tourism operation and developer in Queensland’s Whitsunday region that owns Magnums Unique Accommodation at Airlie Beach, which recently featured in an international report as a best practice example for adapting to climate change. Assessing the Impact of Rising Sea Levels on Travel and Tourism in APEC Economies report, published by the Asia-Pacific Economy Cooperation (APEC) forum’s Tourism Working Group, highlighted Magnums’ resilient and innovative business practices.?

We speak to Elizabeth about her 30 years in the visitor economy.?

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Where are you from? Originally hailing from England, I have since become a dedicated resident of Queensland, with vested business interests in the breathtaking Whitsunday Region.?

What’s your fondest memory of/what you enjoy most about working in the VE???Working in the VE has afforded me the remarkable opportunity to directly contribute to fulfilling individuals' bucket-list aspirations. Isn't that simply remarkable??

Amusing story? ?Language barriers pose a perennial challenge, yet I continually marvel at the considerable efforts our visitors invest in mastering the English language before embarking on their journeys to Queensland. However, smooth communication is not always guaranteed. I vividly remember an amusing incident when some guests expressed their eagerness to experience the Yongala. Despite our attempts to clarify that it was a shipwreck site, they remained adamant about sailing on it for three days and nights, complete with inclusive provisions. This misunderstanding culminated in hearty laughter shared among our team and the guests.?

What are you looking forward to and why???I eagerly anticipate a future where the tourism industry receives the full recognition it deserves from both state and local government for its exceptional contributions to our region and our state.?

THRIVE 2030 has three themes – collaborate, modernise and diversify – can you tell us what you’re doing in these three areas to improve our visitor economy growth, quality and sustainability?? These platforms hold significant importance within our company ethos, where innovation reigns supreme, pioneering endeavours are embraced, and a steadfast commitment to leaving a lasting legacy in terms of environmental stewardship and social responsibility is paramount. We remain dedicated to upholding the values outlined in our vision and mission statements, recognising their intrinsic importance. Magnums’ Vision Statement envisages: ‘A future of growth and sustainability both financially and ecologically, a future where by being wholly inclusive, we play our part in creating a better world’. ?Or as Magnums’ Mission Statement puts it: ‘Life is a journey, it is our responsibility to ensure that this journey is improved for all who work and visit us at Magnums Unique Accommodation’.?

What’s your best tip, advice, or lesson learned for the visitor economy right now?? I've come to realise that those of us engaged in the tourism industry can serve as vital conduits for establishing benchmark practices that promote global change and advancements across various operational domains, including responsible tourism and ecotourism.?

How are you innovating to account for your workforce challenges? Innovating workforce practices to ensure sustainable team tenure has never been more crucial. I prioritise team tenure as the foremost priority in my business plan. To achieve this, I implement family-friendly rosters and enlist the expertise of an experienced HR manager along with an external advisor. I am committed to providing my team with many opportunities for learning and growth. Before transitioning any new team member to a permanent role, it is imperative that they are given every opportunity to thrive and succeed. To facilitate this, we conduct an extensive three-month training period, during which the new team member is interviewed three times to ensure their satisfaction in their new roles and to ascertain that they are receiving all the necessary support.?

What essential goes in your suitcase when travelling for business beyond your phone charger??I maintain a somewhat traditional approach, valuing hard copy reading materials alongside my digital devices.?

Tell us how you work with First Nations people and business??Our Indigenous custodians hold a significant influence in shaping our perspectives on both our past and our future. For numerous years, we have steadfastly supported First Nations tourism initiatives and endeavours, as well as the accomplishments of young Indigenous achievers. We prioritise cultivating an awareness and appreciation of history among our team members. Last year, we proudly witnessed many of our team members obtain their 'black card' accreditation, symbolizing their commitment to and understanding of Indigenous culture and heritage.?

What improvements are you making to ensure your business/activity is more inclusive and accessible for travellers with disability, different language and cultural backgrounds?? ? We deeply value the empowering nature of education, which is why we are dedicated to maximising the benefits of all educational and training opportunities provided by our Regional Tourism Organisation, Queensland Tourism Industry Council and Tourism and Events Queensland . Recognising that our offered experiences must encompass the before, during, and after facets, we prioritize staying informed about benchmark standards achieved in both accessible and exclusive tourism. This year, our team members have actively participated in numerous seminars, webinars, and immersive experiences to ensure our alignment with these standards.

Our previous VEN profiles include Dr Elaine C. L. Yang of Griffith Institute for Tourism, Creative Australia's Adrian Collette, Intrepid Travel's Brett Mitchell, Accessible Tourism professional Yasmine Gray, IVS survey interviewer Erika Schwarz, Tour Guides Australia (former) President, Leanne Saward, Rugby great and THRIVE 2030 Implementation Advisory Group member Tim Horan, EcoTourism Australia's CEO Elissa Keenan,?NT Visitor Economy Exec Valerie Smith, Founder/Project Lead at the Travel Better Project Emma Pethybridge, SE Asian focused Inbound Tourism Operator Doddy Purwoko, Stone Social Enterprise’s Vanessa Brettell, Vaycayit's Hailey Brown and Lisa McEwan, Hotel Etico's Co-founder and CEO Andrea Comastri, Australian Amusement, Leisure and Recreation Assoc GM Kristy Ahrens, Queensland Airports Limited CEO Amelia Evans, Executive Director of the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia Nicola Craddock, Outdoors NSW & ACT CEO Lori Modde, Kangaroo Island Ocean Safari Owner Tony Coppins, Executive Chair, Australian Chamber – Tourism John Hart, Indigenous program manager Sharon Ninyette, TAFE business development manager Paula Meyer, TRA tourism survey manager Bode Ten Buuren, regional tourism leader Coralie Bell, accessible tourism operator and advocate James "Buck" McFarlane, international education expert Karyn Kent and Aboriginal tourist operator Juan Walker.

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