The changing face of Australian travel

With innovation essential to a strong Australian travel industry, TravelMole on line and print magazine partner Travel + Leisure’s annual Innovators awards, in the magazine’s current issue, salute Australian individuals and partnerships who, through their vision, creativity and dedication, have helped enhance the way we travel,  in Australia and overseas.

The second annual awards list includes winemakers, restaurateurs, event organisers and entrepreneurs and they include: –

Tom McCloughlin, Chief Executive, Per Aquum Resorts – Innovation: Redefining luxury.

The low-down: In 2003, Tom McLoughlin created Per Aquum Resorts in partnership with Universal Enterprises, the company that developed the first resort in the Maldives, Dhoni Mighili, a tiny sliver of an island, with just six private bungalows and six fully crewed 20-metre dhoni sailboats, was his first resort.

Huvafen Fushi followed, attracting headlines as much for the guest list as for the world’s first underwater spa.

Fortress in Sri Lanka was added to the collection and Dubai and the Seychelles are in the pipeline.

McLoughlin is looking to expand further afield but with provisos.

He likes the view from where he is, standing at the pointy end of the small luxury market, setting new standards in luxury and service in small niche resorts and spas.

Defining luxury today: “It’s not about gold taps and marble foyers.”  “Anyone can give you those.”  “It’s about time – spending it with the people you love.”

How can a resort fit that bill:  “We need to create the space and beauty and provide the service that will form part of the fabric of a guest’s memory.”

On Australians making it in travel internationally: “We like to do it our way.” “For a long time the hotel industry was dominated by the Swiss, but now our general managers are going out into the world and taking on all the top jobs.”

His view on hotels:  “I hate hotels, or ones that fit some model.”  “I want to take every one of those rules and break them.”

Ross Brown, Chief executive, Brown Brothers – Innovation: Wine tourism and regional food in north-east Victoria.

The low-down: Brown Brothers goes back almost to the beginning of the Australian wine industry.

Established in Milawa in 1889, it is one of Australia’s oldest wine labels and while he is proud of the company’s history, Ross has always been intent on moving forward.

Under his stewardship, the company has diversified and played a pivotal role in the development of wine tourism and the regional food movement in the north-east region of Victoria.

Brown, who joined the family business in 1970, was responsible for developing the cellar-door experience and with more than 100,000 visitors annually, it is an extraordinary success.

He also drove the Epicurean Centre, where visitors can match wines and regional food.

On innovation: “We had to decide what kind of business we were in.”  “Was it just wine?”  “How much did we want to move into food?”  “We decided we were a lifestyle business.”

“The Epicurean Centre grew out of that discussion.”  “We wanted to show off our wines in the best way.”  “When you have food and wine harmony, you have a match made in heaven.”

Why do Australians love their cellar doors?: “I could just say our wine but it’s bigger than that, it’s the whole experience.”  “It’s about a feeling of connection.” “And it’s about being made welcome.”

So, where does that lead?:  “People are looking for a deeper experience.”  “They are also looking for quality.”  “Regions have to be mindful of this and work out ways to deliver what the public wants.”

To see the full list of award recipients, and the Innovators Hall of Fame list, see the current issue of Travel + Leisure, or go to www.travelandleisure.com.au

You can also get Travel+Leisure on line for one year for only $10, by clicking here: http://travelandleisure.digitaleditions.com.au

A Special Travel+Leisure Report by The Mole