We were really excited and proud to sponsor again this year the Australian Regional Tourism Network Young Tourism Professional awards.
Michelle Reynolds from Willow Springs Station in South Australia is the 2016 Australian Regional Tourism Network MyTravelResearch.com Young Tourism Professional.
The Chair of The Australian Regional Tourism Network, David Sheldon, and Joint CEO of MyTravelResearch.com, Carolyn Childs announced the 2016 Young Tourism Professional at the Australian Regional Tourism Convention’s Gala dinner, held in Roma Outback Queensland on Thursday evening, 27 October 2016.
Michelle was selected from a field of five finalists drawn from around Australia. Carolyn Childs, Director of MyTravelResearch.com commented ‘Every
YTP Finalists with Carolyn and Bron
year I say the same thing but once again I was so relieved not to be a judge – the quality of the finalists is fantastic. I do feel that our future to 2030 and beyond is in the hands of some fantastic leaders. All of them are amazing, but Michelle is a worthy winner. We’ve loved getting to know her and look forward to supporting her through the exciting 12 months ahead – and to her career beyond that.”
Michelle works on her family property Willow Springs Station welcoming both domestic and international guests to visit and enjoy the wonders of the Flinders Ranges. Skytrek Willow Springs Station is a working sheep station offering true bush hospitality in quiet secluded settings.
Owned and operated by the Reynolds family for 4 generations, Willow Springs is a sanctuary for those who want to connect, relax and really experience the local life and the atmosphere and ever-changing contrast of outback colours and is described as ‘truly memorable’ by visitors and placed on numerous Bucket Lists by 4WD, Camping and Adventure magazines.
Besides working on her family business, Michelle also makes a major contribution to the industry through her participation in her local Regional Tourism Organisation.
Her YTP presentation went ‘back to the future’ to look at two ways the family trip of the future might look from ‘hyper-teched’ to ‘de-teched’.
The Award was decided by an independent panel of industry practitioners drawn from a diverse range of tourism organisations from across Australia.
David Sheldon, Chair of ARTN said, ‘we need to continue to invest in our young tourism professionals to ensure the long term sustainability of regional tourism, we thank MyTravelResearch.com and the States and Territories who support YTP finalists for sharing that vision. I congratulate Michelle and look forward to working with her on the ARTN board for the next 12 months’.
As the 2016 ARTN Young Regional Tourism Professional of the Year, Michelle receives
- 12-month professional development mentoring program sponsored by MyTravelResearch.com including a bursary for training worth $2,000.
- A year’s membership of MyTravelResearch.coms membership site packed with insights to support her in her work
- Opportunity to participate as an ex officio member of the ARTN Board;
- Attend the 2017 Australian Regional Tourism Convention
- Other professional development opportunities, as they arise.
The ARTN Young Regional Tourism Professional Award is designed to recognise and reward young professionals and retain them as part of regional tourism’s workforce.
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