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I’ve just returned from my annual overseas professional development break - a little investment reward for myself each year. It's time I take to learn something new, usually with a group of people from outside of tourism, and to reflect more deeply on the work we do and who we do it for.

One realisation really landed this time: clarity is a myth! For someone who once dubbed herself The Clarity Coach, that was quite a thing to realise!

I, like many others, chase clarity - almost like something I have to earn before I have permission to act. It's my procrastination crutch. However, the default reality now is complexity, not clarity. Things don't line up so easily anymore. Instead they collide with each other from all directions. It's often hard to see a flow or sequence.

This calls for a fundamental shift in how we work - to stop pedestalising clarity and accept (maybe even embrace) ongoing complexity. Fixed plans do not serve us and we need to get good at seeing and navigating evolving patterns.

Our focus in this newsletter is always on sustainable, regenerative and collaborative approaches to tourism. This month’s article explores how public sector tourism professionals can and must lead, not by waiting for certainty, but by building the capability to act with confidence in the midst of complex change. Hope you find it useful!

Wishing you a lovely month of August!

Beir bua

7 Capability Shifts for Public Sector Leaders Driving Sustainable Tourism

There is an expectation placed on public sector tourism professionals to keep expanding while the systems they work within grow ever more complex. This article outlines seven practical ways to build capability in organisations, from developing a shared language to embedding learning over time and supporting internal champions. It’s about growing the confidence and responsiveness needed to lead sustainability and regeneration efforts from the inside out.

Read Article

Leadership Brief: Building Stewardship Capacity

Prefer a concise summary of the article? We’ve created a quick-reference Leadership Brief. It lists the 7 Ways to Build Capability and offers some practical steps that can be taken within and by public sector teams tasked with stewarding sustainable and regenerative tourism.

Download

Upcoming Speaking Events

August is a quiet month at The Tourism Space. We take a rest before gearing up again in the Autumn. We've a lot to look forward to, between current and new projects, conference season and a chance to speak and contribute thoughts on purpose and policy at a number of very interesting international forums. Looking forward to all the networking!

Book Tina

Over the past few months, we’ve been working quietly alongside two leadership teams from the same place-focused organisation in beautiful Scotland.

This is a place with centuries of story behind it and a vision that stretches two hundred years ahead.

We feel fortunate to support those working in sectors where place matters deeply, and where investing in leadership is part of stewarding a wider legacy. In many ways, it’s what tourism is all about.

The programme includes a mix of training webinars, strengths assessment, facilitated group conversations, one-to-one coaching, and a two-day off-site retreat. Each element is designed to support reflection, shared understanding, and practical action.

We'd love to share more details so do get in touch if you are interested.

Monthly Minis

Research: Germany's Travel & Tourism Sector to Break All Records in 2025 (published by World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC))

Germany’s tourism sector is on track to make history in 2025, with new research from the World Travel & Tourism Council highlighting record-breaking visitor spending and job creation. What sets Germany apart is its success in pairing robust economic recovery with a steadfast commitment to sustainability. This report is behind a paywall and so we can't offer detailed insight. However, WTTC states that the report offers valuable insights for public sector leaders worldwide on how government-led strategies, cross-sector partnerships, and data-driven policies can deliver tourism that benefits both communities and the planet. Read the press release here: Germany’s Travel & Tourism Sector to Break All-Time Records in 2025.

Buy research report here

Trends: European Tourism 2025 - Trends & Prospects (Q2/2025) (Published by European Travel Commission)

The European Travel Commission’s Q2 2025 report presents a timely snapshot of the pressures and prospects currently shaping tourism across Europe. Rising travel costs and consumer price sensitivity are influencing travel choices, particularly for budget-conscious segments. The report notes that concerns around overtourism remain prominent, with recent city protests drawing attention to the need for more sustainable and balanced approaches. Geopolitical uncertainty and disruptions in air connectivity are also affecting travel sentiment and flows, while at the same time, increased demand from China and within Europe itself introduces new opportunities. This analysis can be used to better understand shifting visitor trends and the evolving dynamics affecting Europe’s resilience.

White Paper: Politics, Perception & Travel - how political events shape traveller sentiment and destination reputation (Published by Toposophy)

Toposophy’s recent white paper explores how political events, whether protest movements, policy shifts or media narratives, affect travel decisions and destination image. Drawing on a six-country survey and global case studies, it highlights the growing need for destinations to integrate political risk into their resilience strategies. This is a useful resource when considering how perception, trust and communication factor into long-term destination sustainability and crisis preparedness.

Thought for August

August is a good time to pause for thought...

Leading, Navigating and Stewarding Through Complexity