Navigating the Future of Outdoor Industry: AI, Tourism, and Workforce Trends

Five years after the pandemic lockdowns transformed our industry, we're taking stock of the remarkable evolution in outdoor recreation, education, tourism, and therapy. Drawing insights from two major industry events – the Destination Australia Conference and the Skills IQ Industry Forum – this episode unpacks the critical trends reshaping our sector.

Tourism patterns have undergone a dramatic shift. International visitors now typically seek 11-20 different experiences during their Australian stay – some ambitious travellers even target 50+ experiences! Eastern markets are outpacing growth forecasts, while booking behaviours continue to evolve with direct airline bookings gaining prominence. The quest for unique, Instagrammable outdoor moments drives destination choices, presenting both challenges and opportunities for operators.

Artificial intelligence emerges as both disruptor and enabler. With ChatGPT reaching 100 million users in just two months after launch, the outdoor industry faces pressure to adapt. While many operators utilise AI for content creation and information searches, significant untapped potential remains in customer journey automation, virtual concierge services, and data analysis.

The workforce landscape reveals interesting contradictions – 49% of outdoor businesses report operating below full capacity despite showing 3.6% annual industry growth. Insurance costs, financial management challenges, and cybersecurity threats (costing SMEs an average of $80,000 per breach) remain pressing concerns.

What does this mean for your outdoor operation? How can you position your experiences to capitalise on changing tourism patterns? What AI implementations might boost your productivity? These questions and more will be explored at our upcoming Outdoor Industry Summit in Canberra this July. Join us as we collectively navigate this evolving landscape and prepare for the next chapter of our industry's journey.

Chapters

• 0:03 Weekly Forum Introduction
• 0:33 Five-Year Anniversary Reflections
• 2:42 Industry Updates and Advocacy
• 6:28 Upcoming Events and Outdoor Summit
• 10:41 Destination Australia Conference Insights
• 17:51 AI Trends and Implementation
• 31:46 Skills IQ Forum and Workforce Data
• 42:13 Business Challenges and Cybersecurity
• 49:34 AI Adoption in Business Operations
• 53:02 Forum Closing and Final Reflections