Who We Are
Mr Richard Doyle - Managing Director
QUALIFICATION: B Bus (Marketing), GAICD
Experience
Richard is Founder and Director of Doyle Tourism
Services P/L He has worked on and managed significant projects for a
range of private and public clients. He has a background in
government procedures and policy, as well as stakeholder engagement.
He has experience in managing projects throughout SE and NE Asia.
Richard is a well respected leader in the Cruise and Tourism
Industry with experience in the development of international ready
product tools and guidelines and workshops for operators and
stakeholders.
Experienced in both the domestic and international market place in
small to large organisation with Richard being a representative
member on a number of industry panels over the years such as The
Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC), Tourism Australia Industry
Advisory Panels and State and Territory Organisation representative
on cross government committees.
Prior to commencing his own consulting business, Richard spent 12
years with Tourism NT as Director Asia/Japan, Cruise and Aviation.
Prior to this he worked for The APT Group, (Australia’s leading tour
operator) for 20 years. This experience has enabled Richard to form
an extensive network throughout Australia, New Zealand, South East
Asia – Singapore and Malaysia, North East Asia – Hong Kong, China
and Japan developing strong strategic account management skills and
working with key stakeholders including airlines, cruise companies,
rail and travel distribution providers/wholesalers. From 2002 to
2010 Richard was Chair of Cruise Down Under and is still an active
board member.
'I have had the pleasure of working with Richard over the past ten years in a number of roles – as a State/Territory colleague on the Destination Australia Marketing Alliance, as a member of the management committee of Cruise Down Under with Richard as Chair and more recently Richard was engaged by Tourism Tasmania to provide a Cruise Tourism Assessment. At all times I have found Richard to be extremely professional, committed and extremely knowledgeable and experienced across a wide range of tourism issues. Richard is skilful in working with many stakeholders across a variety of organisations and has excellent knowledge of issues and challenges facing tourism destinations’.
Ms Nicole Mitchell - Consultant
QUALIFICATION: B Mgt (Tourism)
Experience
An accomplished
tourism business builder who is self-motivated and target driven
with over 23 years experience in all sectors of the tourism industry
– namely wholesale, inbound, retail, hospitality, conference and
incentives and destination marketing. Having worked in all
components of the distribution chain and in direct consumer
marketing has broad experience, great industry insight and a
well-established network. Nicole has also specialised expertise in
niche markets such as Indigenous Tourism and targeting the youth
traveller. These attributes ensure that Nicole’s clients stay at the
forefront of the competitive destination-marketing world.
Highly proficient in sales and marketing, creative sales focused
writing, negotiation, operations, product development, project
management, event management, people management, training and
coaching - all at a management level. Experienced in both the
domestic and international market place in small to large
organisations, including government such as Qantas, Tourism NT,
Hilton Hotels and Thomas Cook. Nicole’s has a strong client base
including Tourism Australia, Tourism NT, The APT Group, Topdeck
Tours, The Australian Tourism Export Council and Avanti Events.
Nicole has been a representative member on a number of industry
panels over the years such as The Australian Tourism Export Council,
and the Backpacker Tourism Advisory Panel.
Nicole has a strong professional focus, is results and challenge
driven and is consistently credited with being extremely well
organised and efficient. Nicole is credited with being personable,
creative, adaptable and communicative and hold extensive first-hand
destination knowledge. She is a ‘completer’, getting projects done
efficiently and effectively within budget.
“Nicole has always delivered outstanding results within very tight deadlines and budgets. Her attention to detail, professionalism and commitment are a major contributor to the success of the events and projects she is contracted to deliver. She has demonstrated strong capabilities across a broad range of tasks, and has the capacity, knowledge and experience to deliver at a consistently high level. She works well as part of the extended Tourism Australia team and she constantly demonstrates creativity and innovation in her approach. She has strong negotiation skills, exemplary budgeting skills and is a great communicator. Nicole is a proven performer and a valuable part of our high achieving team of contractors. I would not hesitate to recommend her services to others in the tourism sector”.
Mr. Simon Smith
Qualification: BSc (Comp Sci), BEcon (Hons), MBA, AIMM, GAICD, MMSRS, PMESA
Experience
Simon is the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Consultant with
AECgroup. Since 1995 Simon has undertaken hundreds of consultancy
projects across Australia. Prior to becoming a consultant Simon was
employed for five years at the Queensland Treasury.
Simon has wide-ranging experience in project management, quality
assurance, regional economic development, local government, economic
and financial modelling and market research. He has worked on
significant projects for a range of clients spanning all levels of
government and the private sector. Simon has also coordinated a
number of AECgroup’s nationally significant research projects. Since
2003, Simon has been involved with quantifying the economic impact
of cruise shippings to the national, state and regional economies.
More recently Simon has been working with Doyle Tourism Services to
determine the future demand for the adventure cruising and mega
cruise sectors of the industry for the Queensland Government and
Newcastle Port Cruise Assessment.
Mr. Robert Hardless
Experience
Robert Hardless has been associated with Richard Doyle for more
than 15 years, based in London he has had considerable experience in
destination marketing, aviation including commercial management,
start up’s and IPO’s as well as project management and
representation.
With an enviable network of contacts in the UK and throughout
Europe, he has been chosen as held the representation contract for
Tourism NT (previously NTTC) since 1991 and in that time has also
held the representation in UK and Europe for South Australian
Tourism Commission. He is currently engaged to look after the
interests of Trans India Holidays, a Delhi based DMC, in the UK who
provide private touring for major UK retailers including
Trailfinders, STA and Bridge the World. He also is the UK and
European representative for Marine Tourism Holdings which operates
South Sea Cruises and Awesome Adventures in Fiji and Cruise
Whitsundays in Queensland.
Robert is a partner in the Great NZ Adventure Company which operates
small group touring in New Zealand.
As well as representation work, he undertakes project work and
prepared an aviation strategy document for the Emirate of Sharjah,
and undertook the management of the selection process for the Macau
Government Tourist Office representatives in the UK and France. He
is currently evaluating an aviation start up project in the Indian
sub continent and is currently working with a UAE based airline to
develop an outbound tourism strategy for regional tourism
organisations in India.
“Nothing less than my mentor during my formative years in the
travel industry, Robert Hardless defines the word connected. He
has a breadth of experience through destination, airline and
ground product marketing and representation that is unrivalled.
Robert I have known as a client, a supplier and a trade partner.
He has a rare combination of government and private sector
experience. During my time as Commercial Director for UK long
haul tour operator, Travelmood his positioning of Tourism
Northern Territory ensured it featured at the centre of all our
Australia marketing and product development.'
Dr Matthew McDougall -
Qualification: MBA, PhD
Experience
Dr. Mathew McDougall
is recognized worldwide as a leading expert in Interactive Marketing
and online analytics.
Dr. McDougall founded the SinoTech Group of companies in Beijing in
2007. Dr. McDougall holds a Masters degree from Westminster
University, London and a PhD from Queensland University of
Technology, Brisbane.
Dr McDougall has 20 years experience in Internet technology and
digital marketing, managing of large teams of highly motivated and
skilled individuals across multiple countries (Australia, UK, US,
China, APAC).
Using this extensive knowledge combined with analytical skill to
build accountability solutions, his consulting and strategic
activities are focused on effective performance driven campaigns
across all online media channels.
He is a renowned expert on these topics, recognized for his
published articles, his frequent speaking engagements, as well as
his prestigious consulting and teaching programs. Dr McDougall
thrives in entrepreneurial environments, where fast-paced change and
continually evolving technology is the norm.
Having founded SinoTech Group (headquartered in Beijing, China) in
2007, Dr McDougall drives the company’s vision and is responsible
for building the company’s brand with strategic marketing
initiatives and client acquisition utilizing his skills in high
level and complex multi party client negotiations. He also oversees
SinoTech Group’s high-profile clients’ marketing campaigns to ensure
they are balanced with strategy, best practices and results.
In the workplace, Dr McDougall is the type of "leader" that is not
afraid to roll up his sleeves and get involved with the team at all
levels. A key characteristic of Dr McDougall's leadership style is
that he does not ask people to do a task that he would not be
prepared to do himself