In this insightful episode of the Balancing Tourism podcast, host Ged interviews Stuart McDonald, founder of Travelfish, a comprehensive online travel resource focused on Southeast Asia. Stuart shares the evolution of Travelfish from its humble beginnings in 2004 to becoming a trusted guide for independent travelers, his journey into responsible tourism through his master's degree, and his upcoming ambitious 64-day overland journey from Bali to the UK.

Guest Profile: Stuart McDonald is the founder of Travelfish, an independent online travel guide focused on Southeast Asia. With nearly three decades of experience traveling in the region since 1993, Stuart has transformed from a backpacker and guidebook writer to an advocate for "less bad travel" - his term for more sustainable and responsible tourism practices. He recently completed a Master's degree in Responsible Tourism Management at Leeds Beckett University in the UK.

Notable Quotes

"Travel fish is like an old school guidebook, like a Lonely Planet or Rough Guide or whatever. But only online."

"The pandemic wasn't great for business. I went back to school, back to do my masters at Leeds in the UK in responsible tourism management, and that sort of turned me on to a lot more of the stuff around sustainable tourism and responsible travel."

"A lot of the issues that we face today in tourism are not new... they were writing about them in the seventies in academia... This knowledge has sort of been sitting around for perhaps 50 years, half a century. And the industry side of things, they're only just sort of starting to think about maybe getting on board with some of these concepts in the last decade."

This episode offers valuable insights into the evolution of sustainable tourism in Southeast Asia through the lens of Stuart McDonald's extensive experience. His journey from traditional guidebook writer to advocate for responsible tourism practices demonstrates how the industry is slowly shifting toward more sustainable models. Stuart's upcoming overland journey represents his commitment to "less bad travel" and provides a fascinating case study in making more responsible travel choices despite the inconveniences they may present. Listeners interested in sustainable tourism, Southeast Asia travel, or alternative modes of transportation will find this conversation both informative and inspiring.

Resources Mentioned:

• ⁠Travelfish website⁠: A comprehensive online travel guide for Southeast Asia
• ⁠Couch Fish Newsletter⁠: Stuart's regular updates on travel and tourism in the region
• ⁠Glass⁠: The photo-sharing platform Stuart now uses instead of Instagram
• ⁠Seat61⁠: Helpful resource for train travel planning
• ⁠Caravanistan⁠: Resource for travel in Central Asia

⁠Uncornered Market⁠: Development work in Uzbekistan and Central Asia

In this episode of the Balancing Tourism podcast, Ged interviews Andrea Grisdale, founder of IC Bellagio, about her vision for creating personalized travel experiences in Italy. They discuss the importance of unseen efforts in the travel industry, the role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and the significance of cultural heritage in tourism. Andrea shares insights on community-conscious travel, the challenges of overcrowding, and the benefits of slow season travel. The conversation emphasizes the need for better education and communication within the industry to promote authentic experiences and support local communities.

Sound Bites

"We have the best job in the world."

"So much of what we do, you can't see."

"It's all about the people."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to IC Bellagio and Its Vision

02:49 The Art of Creating Unseen Luxury Experiences

05:51 Personalization in Travel: Understanding Guest Needs

08:55 The Role of SMEs in Sustainable Tourism

12:01 Community Conscious Travel: Empowering Local Businesses

15:10 Addressing Overcrowding and Promoting Authentic Experiences

17:58 Cultural Heritage and Its Importance in Tourism

20:55 The Value of Low Season Travel

24:00 Future Trends in Travel and Tourism

27:08 Conclusion and Looking Ahead to the Seasonality Summit

Join us for a deep dive into the critical challenges and opportunities facing the tourism industry. In this episode, Ben Lynam, Head of Communications and Research at The Travel Foundation, unpacks the complex relationship between tourism seasonality and sustainability. Here’s what you can expect:

• Explosive Tourism Growth & Overtourism:
  Discover how steady global growth (3–4% annually) is fueling overtourism in popular destinations leading to overcrowded sites, strained local resources, and mounting environmental pressure.

• Climate Change & Shifting Patterns:
  Learn how climate change is beginning to influence traveler behavior, nudging visitors away from traditional peak seasons toward alternative, off-peak experiences.

• Destination Capacity & Real Sustainability:
  Understand why knowing a destination’s true capacity, beyond just hotel beds, is vital. Explore how capacity studies can help avoid the tipping point where visitor numbers negatively impact local communities.

• Breaking Down Silos:
  Hear why collaboration among airlines, hotels, cruise operators, and local authorities is essential to smooth out seasonal peaks and create a resilient, sustainable tourism model.

• Regulation vs. Market Forces:
  Delve into the debate over whether industry self-regulation is enough, or if stricter government regulations are needed to steer tourism towards a sustainable future.

• Controversial Topics & Cognitive Dissonance:
  Challenge conventional thinking around greenwashing as Ben discusses how some brands justify unsustainable practices. Is the current tourism model inherently unsustainable, and what can be done about it?

Whether you’re a travel industry professional or simply passionate about responsible tourism, this episode offers a candid look at the big-picture challenges—from overtourism and economic leakage to environmental impacts and fragmented industry practices. Tune in for actionable insights and provocative debates that could shape the future of travel.

Episode Overview

In this lively episode of the Balancing Tourism Podcast, host Ged Brown sits down with innovation expert Claus Raasted to discuss how to shift from endless planning to decisive action. Claus—author of over 40 books (including “Claus Raasted’s Little Book of Getting Shit Done”) and director of the College of Extraordinary Experiences—shares practical insights on creativity, change management, and designing memorable experiences. The conversation also touches on how these ideas can transform events and tourism, with a special focus on low season travel.

• From Planning to Action:
  Claus explains that excessive planning can hinder progress. Instead, he encourages experimenting with small, manageable steps to overcome the fear of failure.

• Innovative Event Design & Networking:
  Using a paddle event as an example, the discussion illustrates how unconventional ideas—like replacing typical seating with sofas—can foster more engaging, authentic interactions.

• Broadening the Definition of Creativity:
  Creativity isn’t confined to art and music. Both host and guest highlight that innovation can be found in everyday tasks—from reorganizing an Excel sheet to rethinking event formats—and that everyone has a creative side.

• Mindset-Shifting Techniques:
  Claus introduces the “future retrospective” method, where you envision a bold future scenario (e.g., the Swiss National Railway system partially owned by Chinese investors) and work backward to imagine the steps that led there.

• Overcoming the ‘Can’t Do’ Mentality:
  The conversation explores how fear of failure and resistance to change often stop people from experimenting. Reframing challenges from “we can’t do that” to “how would we do it?” is key to unlocking creative solutions.

• Leadership & Execution:
  Drawing from examples like Barack Obama’s advice to “learn how to get things done” and Donald Trump’s promise to “fix problems,” Claus emphasizes that effective leadership hinges on the ability to execute.

• The College of Extraordinary Experiences:
  Claus explains how his college serves as a testing ground for experimental ideas. Hosted in a Polish castle, it brings together a diverse group of participants to explore and learn from both successes and failures.

• Seasonality in Tourism:
  As tourism continues to evolve, the episode highlights the importance of rethinking seasonality. Low season travel can help alleviate overtourism, benefit local communities, and promote a more sustainable travel model.

• On Creativity:
  “Creativity isn’t just for musicians or artists—it’s about looking at everyday problems in new ways, whether you’re stacking a truck or organizing a meeting.”

• On Experimentation:
  Claus shares a tip from his daughter: “If you want to get some shit done and you don’t know how to do it, then don’t do it—but get some other shit done that will teach you new skills.”

• On Taking Risks:
  Small experimental changes, like swapping chairs for sofas, can pave the way for bigger innovations without upsetting stakeholders.

• Book:
  Dive deeper into Claus’s approach in “Claus Raasted’s Little Book of Getting Shit Done.”

• College of Extraordinary Experiences:
  Learn more about innovative experience design by visiting extraordinary.college.

• European Tourism Seasonality Summit:
  Claus will deliver his keynote “Getting Shit Done” at the upcoming summit in Seville—a must-attend event for exploring creative solutions in tourism.

• Stay Connected:
  Subscribe to the Balancing Tourism Podcast and join the conversation on LinkedIn for more insights on sustainable and innovative tourism.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to transform ideas into action. Claus’s blend of humor, practicality, and creative inspiration challenges the status quo and offers fresh strategies to overcome the “we can’t do that” mindset. Tune in and discover how getting shit done can lead to real change!

In this episode of Balancing Tourism Podcast, Ged Brown sits down with Chris Flynn, the founder and chair of theWorld Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage, to discuss the critical intersection of tourism growth and cultural preservation. Chris shares his journey from PATA to founding WTACH, his concerns about over-tourism, and why carrying capacity studies should be mandatory for destinations worldwide.

Key topics include:
✅ The unintended consequences of unchecked tourism growth
✅ How destinations can avoid becoming the next over-tourism hotspot
✅ The role of local communities as guardians of cultural heritage
✅ Why big industry players must step up to drive responsible tourism
✅ Eye-opening case studies from Easter Island, Vietnam, and Australia

Chris emphasizes that growth for growth’s sake is unsustainable, urging destinations to rethink their strategies before it’s too late. He also shares inspiring initiatives, like training local communities in sustainable food tourism, to foster pride and long-term resilience.

Listen now to gain powerful insights on shaping the future of sustainable tourism!

🔗 Subscribe for more insights and listen to the full episode!
📢 Join the conversation on LinkedIn using #SustainableTourism #CulturalHeritage #OverTourism #BalancingTourism

In this episode of The Balancing Tourism Podcast, host Ged Brown sits down with Bastian Hiller, co-founder of Teejit, to explore the evolving landscape of tourism. From community-driven travel to rethinking seasonality, Bastian shares his insights on how the industry can shift focus from purely profit-driven models to more inclusive and sustainable tourism strategies.

🔹 Key topics discussed:

• Empowering local communities in tourism development
• The impact of over-tourism and creative solutions destinations are testing
• The role of taxation and policy in shaping sustainable travel
• The challenge of capacity planning and why we must rethink how we measure it
• Extending the season and its unexpected effects on local infrastructure
• How technology and AI are influencing the future of tourism education

Bastian also introduces Teejit, his innovative platform dedicated to capacity building and digital learning for tourism professionals, ensuring that strategies translate into real action.

💡 Final thought:
Tourism is at a crossroads—how do we create a system that benefits both travelers and host communities? Bastian and Ged dive deep into this pressing question, offering practical ideas and fresh perspectives.

📌 Find out more about Bastian & Teejit:
🌍 www.teejit.de

In this thought-provoking episode of Balancing Tourism, Ged Brown speaks with Chalana Perera, founder of Retrace Hospitality and a champion of regenerative tourism in Sri Lanka. Together, they explore the complexities of balancing tourism's economic benefits with its social and environmental costs.

Chalana shares a candid perspective on Sri Lanka’s rapid tourism recovery post-pandemic and highlights the challenges of mass tourism, including its impact on local communities, ecological sensitivity, and land management. The conversation delves into pressing global issues such as over-tourism, income disparity in travel, and the untapped potential of sustainable tourism models.

Key discussion points include:

• The role of governments in managing tourism sustainably.
• How local communities can benefit from tourism without losing cultural identity.
• The concept of regenerative tourism and its application in Sri Lanka.
• The global imbalance in travel accessibility and the impact of "passport privilege."

This episode is a must-listen for tourism professionals and anyone passionate about creating a more equitable and sustainable future for travel.

Learn more about Chalana’s work at Retrace Hospitality.

Join the conversation and help us redefine tourism for a better tomorrow.

In this episode of the Balancing Tourism Podcast, Ged chats with Yrjötapio Kivisaari (YT), CEO of Visit Oulu, about the unique charm of Oulu, Finland—a compact city blending nature, innovation, and culture. YT shares fascinating insights into Oulu’s journey to becoming the European Capital of Culture 2026 and how the city has tackled seasonality with creative events, sustainable practices, and community pride.

Highlights include:

• The Lumo Light Festival: A captivating annual event where art, light, and snow create magical explorations around the city.
• Sustainability in Action: Oulu’s pioneering efforts as Finland’s first major city to earn the Sustainable Travel Finland certification.
• Seasonality Strategies: From frozen sea techno parties to quirky air guitar championships, Oulu embraces its uniqueness to attract year-round visitors.
• The Role of AI in Tourism: How smaller destinations like Oulu are leveraging AI to compete on a global stage.
• Why a Good Place to Live is a Good Place to Visit: Building pride within the local community to create welcoming, authentic experiences for tourists.

Whether you’re a travel professional looking to balance tourism or a curious listener eager to learn about Finland’s hidden gems, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical takeaways.

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Visit Oulu website: visitoulu.fi
• Lumo Light Festival details: Check Dates Here
• European Capital of Culture 2026 updates

Key Takeaway:
Tourism thrives on cooperation, sustainability, and cultural authenticity. Oulu’s strategy offers a masterclass in how to build a resilient, year-round destination that locals and visitors alike can cherish.