Listen Now

Jason Marriner is the CEO of the Marriner Group, which operates four of Melbourne's iconic theatre venues; the Princess Theatre, the Regent Theatre, the Comedy Theatre and the Forum. At any one time, Jason may be overseeing three major theatre productions as well as music events at the Forum, including Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and the upcoming Moulin Rouge The Musical. Be sure to listen to Dougal’s conversation with Jason, on your favourite podcast channel, as they discuss (among other things) the History of Marriner Group, the impact of COVID-19 on Melbourne’s world-renowned arts and theatre precinct, its COVID-19 recovery and exclusive productions, that will continue to drive visitation to our state.

Jason Marriner is the CEO of the Marriner Group, which operates four of Melbourne's iconic theatre venues; the Princess Theatre, the Regent Theatre, the Comedy Theatre and the Forum. At any one time, Jason may be overseeing three major theatre productions as well as music events at the Forum, including Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and the upcoming Moulin Rouge The Musical. Be sure to listen to Dougal’s conversation with Jason, on your favourite podcast channel, as they discuss (among other things) the History of Marriner Group, the impact of COVID-19 on Melbourne’s world-renowned arts and theatre precinct, its COVID-19 recovery and exclusive productions, that will continue to drive visitation to our state.

Peter Jones AM is an absolute doyen of Victoria’s major events sector. For almost 30 years his company Peter Jones Special Events has been the creative force behind many of Melbourne and Australia’s best events. Organising high profile functions for the President’s Cup; the Australian Sports Hall of Fame; the Australian Football League; The Australian Formula One Grand Prix; Qantas, and the Victoria Racing Club (to name a few), Peter has certainly helped shape Victoria’s reputation as one of the world’s most pre-eminent major event destinations. Be sure to listen to Dougal’s conversation with Peter, on your favourite podcast channel, as they discuss (among other things) the impact of COVID-19 on the events sector; reimaging event delivery with the use of new technology; key considerations for event clients and hoteliers, in a post COVID-19 world, and how Peter perceives our state can continue to use ‘brand Melbourne’ to drive interstate and international arrivals. (Please note, this podcast recording was completed prior to Victoria’s most recent ‘circuit breaker’ lockdowns).

Peter Jones AM is an absolute doyen of Victoria’s major events sector. For almost 30 years his company Peter Jones Special Events has been the creative force behind many of Melbourne and Australia’s best events. Organising high profile functions for the President’s Cup; the Australian Sports Hall of Fame; the Australian Football League; The Australian Formula One Grand Prix; Qantas, and the Victoria Racing Club (to name a few), Peter has certainly helped shape Victoria’s reputation as one of the world’s most pre-eminent major event destinations. Be sure to listen to Dougal’s conversation with Peter, on your favourite podcast channel, as they discuss (among other things) the impact of COVID-19 on the events sector; reimaging event delivery with the use of new technology; key considerations for event clients and hoteliers, in a post COVID-19 world, and how Peter perceives our state can continue to use ‘brand Melbourne’ to drive interstate and international arrivals. (Please note, this podcast recording was completed prior to Victoria’s most recent ‘circuit breaker’ lockdowns).

As Australia’s domestic borders reopen and Victorian’s begin to travel after the state’s second lockdown, listen as TAA (Vic) General Manager, Dougal Hollis speaks to Wotif Group Managing Director, Daniel Finch, regarding the online travel sales industry and how COVID-19 has changed the landscape of Australia’s domestic and international travel markets. The podcast is split into two halves During part two of the podcast, Dougal and Daniel discuss Wotif’s strategies that drive mutually beneficial relationships with hotel clients; how Wotif tailors their services to provide value to a diverse range of clientele; the impact that new supply will have on hotel rates and occupancies; consumer travel sentiment in a COVID normal world and strategies to rebuild consumer confidence to travel again; Daniel’s predictions on the rebound of the domestic travel and travel trends that are emerging in Victoria as the state’s COVID-19 related restrictions ease.

As Australia’s domestic borders reopen and Victorian’s begin to travel after the state’s second lockdown, listen as TAA (Vic) General Manager, Dougal Hollis speaks to Wotif Group Managing Director, Daniel Finch, regarding the online travel sales industry and how COVID-19 has changed the landscape of Australia’s domestic and international travel markets. The podcast is split into two halves During part one of the podcast, hear Dougal and Daniel discuss how border closures and the restrictions on people movement have impacted the day to day operations at Wotif and the company’s relationships with hotel partners; Wotif’s humble beginnings and how staff embraced an alternative business model to differentiate the business in a competitive market; how COVID-19 has impacted the industry, and the launch of Australia’s first last minute deals online travel agent and how this brand has evolved over the years.

As Melbourne and Victoria emerge from a range of COVID-19 related business and freedom of movement restrictions, listen as TAA (Vic) General Manager, Dougal Hollis speaks to Visit Victoria CEO, Brendan McClements regarding strategies that will be employed by Visit Victoria to again stimulate activity and interest in the state’s tourism sector. The podcast is split into two halves. Part A: Hear Dougal and Brendan discuss the exciting opportunity his team has been tasked with to reinvigorate the state’s tourism sector; the significant opportunities that present for intra and interstate travel to the region; the strength and breadth of Victoria’s tourism offer; the opportunity to generate interest in visitation to and within Victoria by younger cohorts of travellers, and the welcome support of government as Visit Victoria ensures a stable foundation is in place to tell Victoria’s tourism story.

As Melbourne and Victoria emerge from a range of COVID-19 related business and freedom of movement restrictions, listen as TAA (Vic) General Manager, Dougal Hollis speaks to Visit Victoria CEO, Brendan McClements regarding strategies that will be employed by Visit Victoria to again stimulate activity and interest in the state’s tourism sector. The podcast is split into two halves. Part A: Hear Dougal and Brendan discuss the exciting opportunity his team has been tasked with to reinvigorate the state’s tourism sector; the significant opportunities that present for intra and interstate travel to the region; the strength and breadth of Victoria’s tourism offer; the opportunity to generate interest in visitation to and within Victoria by younger cohorts of travellers, and the welcome support of government as Visit Victoria ensures a stable foundation is in place to tell Victoria’s tourism story.

With the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Australia’s immigrations and hospitality industry significant ad ongoing, listen as TAA (Vic) General Manager, Dougal Hollis dials in to speak with Jamie Lingham, Global Immigration Leader at Absolute Immigration. During part two of the podcast, Jamie shares how the industry has managed immigration staff during the COVID-19 operational downturn and the importance of supporting these employees during this transition. Jamie also discussed his knowledge of the structural challenges the industry may face when re-opening.

With the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Australia’s immigration and hospitality industry significant and ongoing, listen as TAA (Vic) General Manager, Dougal Hollis dials in to speak with Jamie Lingham, Global Immigration Leader at Absolute Immigration. During part one of the podcast Jamie speaks about the critical role immigrants play in showcasing the careers in the Australian hospitality industry, the post COVID-19 employment and training challenges faced by immigrants due to visa restrictions and Australia’s future ability to attract foreign workers to fill skills gaps in the hospitality industry, given the international border restrictions.

With the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the hospitality and accommodation industry significant and ongoing, listen as TAA (Vic) General Manager, Dougal Hollis dials in to speak with Peter Harper, Executive Vice President, Hotels & Hospitality Group JLL. During part two of the podcast, Peter shares his advice to operators who have cash flow concerns from the downturn associated with the pandemic; the impact of COVID-19 on investor sentiment in Australia and the push for developments in regional Victoria due to post-pandemic domestic travel demand.

With the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the hospitality and accommodation industry significant and ongoing, listen as TAA (Vic) General Manager, Dougal Hollis dials in to speak with Peter Harper, Executive Vice President, Hotels & Hospitality Group JLL. During part one of the podcast, Peter discusses how COVID-19 has impacted the investor confidence in hospitality and tourism sectors; how investor behavior will change post COVID-19 and the outlook for new hotel developments.

In the lead up to the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne, listen as TAA (Vic) General Manager, Dougal Hollis sits down to speak with Andrew Westacott, CEO of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation. The podcast is split into two halves. During Part 2, Andrew speaks about how to create fan loyalty through event innovation; the importance of Daniel Ricciardo to the success of the race; the competition from New South Wales to hold international motor racing events; and who he thinks will finish on the podium for the Grand Prix.

In the lead up to the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne, listen as TAA (Vic) General Manager, Dougal Hollis sits down to speak with Andrew Westacott, CEO of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation. The podcast is split into two halves. During Part 1, listen to Andrew detail his unique journey to his current role via an early career in Chemical Engineering, the importance of both the Australian F1 Grand Prix and the Australian Moto Grand Prix to the Victorian economy., what makes Melbourne the best event city in Australia and how Melbourne secured the Grand Prix from Adelaide in the 1990s.

Part Two of Dougal’s podcast interview with Tennis Australia CEO, Craig Tiley. As their discussion continues hear Craig reference his perspectives on how the event theme will be brought to life, leveraging a number of new event innovations in 2020; the importance of stakeholder management, from a player, fan and event partner perspective; the necessary evolution of media coverage, in traditional and new formats, for rapidly growing audiences; the importance of working with other tourism agencies to build the event’s profile and that of ‘brand Melbourne.’ Also, hear Craig’s perspectives on Australia’s current crop of emerging and established tennis talent; recognition of the deeds of Australia’s most decorated former female tennis champion and his prediction as to the players who might emerge victorious, following the completion of the 2020 Australian Open tournament.

In the lead up to Australia and the Southern Hemisphere’s largest annual event, The 2020 Australian Open tennis tournament, listen as TAA (Vic) General Manager, Dougal Hollis speaks with Craig Tiley, Chief Executive Officer of Tennis Australia and Tournament Director for the Australian Open. The podcast is split into two halves. During Part A, hear Craig speak of how he developed a love of tennis, from an early age; leadership lessons he still uses today, post having been a successful player and coach; significant challenges and successes he has confronted or enjoyed; how he and his team continue to evolve the event, to ensure its relevance to a wide legion of fans, and the significant positive economic impact the event has on the economy and Victoria’s hotel sector.

The team at TAA (Vic) frequently engage with key stakeholders across Victoria’s tourism and hospitality industries. During our podcast series, TAA (Vic) speaks with these industry leaders to discuss issues and opportunities of mutual interest. Hear the thoughts of some of the brightest minds in our sector, as our timely interviews provide hoteliers and wider tourism and hospitality industry stakeholders with the ‘inside word’ on forthcoming events, activities and strategies that drive increased visitation to Melbourne and Victoria.