Tourism trends for Australian destinations in 2026 are shifting toward wellness travel, dark sky experiences, AI-powered planning, skip-gen travel and niche sports tourism. Sparrowly Group’s Beth Burns explores how destinations can apply these trends strategically within Destination Management Planning, leveraging what’s authentic without losing local identity or community value.

Cultural tourism and diversification can help cultural institutions stay sustainable without losing their identity. With the sector growing faster than total tourism in Australia, Sparrowly Group’s Justine Sinclair shares practical steps to balance innovation, financial resilience and authenticity - ensuring cultural spaces remain vibrant, thought-provoking and true to their core purpose.

Tourism, workforce and community development are deeply connected drivers of regional economic growth. Sparrowly Group’s Giovanna Lever shares key takeaways from recent collaborations across the visitor economy, workforce and industry sectors - highlighting how sharing knowledge, strengthening partnerships and learning from peers can help regions and people thrive together.

Data-driven destination management is essential for understanding performance, guiding investment and building stakeholder trust. Sparrowly Groups Justine Sinclair explores how better data collection, analysis and storytelling can transform Destination Management Plans into actionable strategies - helping destinations move beyond reporting to real insights that strengthen advocacy, partnerships, and sustainable visitor

Workforce, visitor, economic and community development are deeply interconnected pillars of thriving regions, yet often operate in silos. Sparrowly Group's Giovanna Lever explores why greater collaboration across these sectors is vital for Australia’s future prosperity and how aligning strategies can unlock stronger communities, more resilient economies and lasting regional growth.

Tourism, hospitality and business development are evolving rapidly - and Sparrowly Group continues to lead the conversation. This week, four team members delivered workshops and panels across NSW, Queensland, and South Australia, sharing insights on customer loyalty, sustainable gastronomy, advocacy, and data-driven growth to help industries thrive and communities flourish.

Travel and tourism trends in 2024 reflect travellers seeking deeper connection, authenticity and purpose. Sparrowly Group’s Morgan Thorn highlights three key shifts destinations and businesses should embrace in their planning, and why understanding your customers, adapting quickly and designing with insight will keep you ahead of the curve, not chasing it.

Ethical consumer behaviour and sustainable business practices are reshaping how organisations connect with their audiences. Sparrowly Group's Morgan Thorn explores how aligning your values with transparency, social impact and environmental responsibility can strengthen brand trust, attract conscious consumers and create lasting benefits for both your business and the communities you serve.

Gastronomy tourism and food culture are powerful drivers of connection, sustainability and economic growth. Representing Australia at the UNWTO Gastronomy Conference, Sparrowly Group’s Giovanna Lever shares key learnings and global insights for Australia’s tourism, food production and hospitality sectors, highlighting how food continues to unite people, places, and purpose worldwide.

Sensory tourism and experience design connect sight, touch, taste, sound and smell to create deeper visitor engagement. Sparrowly Group’s Morgan Thorn explores how everyday activities and surroundings can be transformed into memorable sensory experiences - helping destinations, businesses, and communities craft moments that truly resonate with visitors and stay long after they leave.

Sparrowly Group’s Jackie Hicks returned to international travel and shares some of her insights from travelling amongst this new normal and living with COVID-19.

Jackie Hicks explores dark tourism. Dark tourism isn’t a new trend, but it can be misunderstood. Following the release of HBO’s new show Chernobyl, dark tourism is at the forefront of everyones minds. Learn more about this tourism trend.

After conducting a comprehensive research program into Accessible Tourism, both documented and anecdotal experience based, Sparrowly Group has identified that it is time for a change and that the Australian Tourism industry needs to act now.

Agritourism is any activity where agriculture and tourism intersect and can be a lifesaver especially in light of recent devastation across the country.

Sparrowly Group Founder and Managing Director, Giovanna Lever shares why all destinations and the hospitality industry should look to Tasmania and learn.

Giovanna Lever talks with the Tourism Upgrade about what your tourism business needs to be successful in marketing.