Client Testimonials


In line with our three core programs, our client testimonials relate to our seminars and workshops (Fastrak About Asia), our Asia knowledge (Fastrak Building Asia), and our in-market delegations (Fastrak Into Asia).

 

Fastrak About Asia - Our Seminars and Workshops

Richard recently facilitated VSC’s “Understanding Asia” workshop as a part of the ATEC KITE program. The session was extremely informative and provided operators with tried and tested strategies to tailor their offerings for the Asian traveller.

Richard certainly lived up to his reputation and provided a truly engaging workshop from start to finish. All the participant feedback received so far highlighted how informative and educational the Understanding Asia workshop was. We look forward to working with Richard moving forward.

Andrew Fairbairn
Industry & Membership Development Manager, Visit Sunshine Coast

Richard has a wealth of knowledge in the field of international sales and marketing for Australian Inbound Eastern Markets – he knows how to apply that knowledge in a practical and results oriented way for regional operators. I specifically requested Richard as our facilitator for the VSC Asia Ready program because we needed someone who could introduce the content to make sure it was relevant for both our novice and esteemed tourism partners.  Richard’s sage counsel input and direction has been instrumental in helping our industry partners acquire specific Asia market insights and begin to establish key objectives for their individual marketing plans.  We look forward to welcoming Richard back to region to deliver further workshops in the near  future.

Rachel Meyer
Director of International Marketing, Visit Sunshine Coast

Tasmania is one of the world’s best kept secrets, and it’s being discovered.

I am particularly bullish about Chinese tourism because of the recent announcement of direct flights from Hobart to China, the possibility of which has been facilitated by the coalition government investment in extending the runway at the Hobart International Airport.

The final planning is underway and construction will start soon. This influx of tourists is creating a whole new industry within itself.

We have seen Tourism Industry Council Tasmania CEO Luke Martin working tirelessly with local China guru Richard Beere to develop and run workshops for local business operators who will be providing services to Chinese tourists.

The workshops aim to increase knowledge of Chinese and other cultures and further potential communication with non-English speakers and are designed to give our local operators the tools they need to ensure a positive experience for all.”

Senator David Bushby
Chief Government Whip in the Senate, Liberal Senator for Tasmania

Extract from speech made to the Australian Senate on 3rd March 2016. View full speech.

As the MC of our China market seminar, Richard did a great job, ensuring that the day flowed to time, that the individual speakers were comfortable with their roles and that the audience was stimulated and involved with the proceedings.   Well prepared and well executed.

Expectations were already high, based on previous experience with Richard.  The “key summary points” document was an unexpected bonus and much appreciated.

Kent Rossiter, Manager SA/NT, Australian Tourism Export Council

Richard Beere is one of a kind, passionate, motivational, contemporary and knowledgeable on how to do business globally and in particular China.  He is a great speaker and always makes his presentations relevant and succinct for the audience. Richard has the ability to share his knowledge with all levels of business and government either in one on one or symposium situations.

Richard is a thorough professional and ensures he paints the right picture ultimately providing the audience with real business knowledge and opportunity.

I have engaged Richard on many occasions as guest speaker, mentor and facilitator and on each occasion, his rating with delegate feedback was extremely high.

Rick Matkowski, General Manager, Bundaberg North Burnett Tourism

We took the opportunity to work with Richard on product audit, his insights and guidance in this area have been invaluable in improving our product delivery on the ground as well as our customer service. Richard worked with us to tailor the program to suit the business. We would recommend Richard to anyone who is serious about growing Asian market share in their business.

Megan Thompson, Marketing Manager, Wrest Point

I wanted to thank you for your excellent workshop on China readiness for our Senior Management Team.  It was not only informative but also very relevant with our more recent announcement of moving into the China market with our hotels.  Our CEO has already put into practise some of the recommendations and advice and we couldn’t be any happier with your continued support and level of service.  Thanks again and keep up the great work.

Aileen Cobern – General Manager, Distribution and Revenue, Choice Hotels

 

Fastrak Building Asia - Our Asia Knowledge

Richard has taken 450 staff through the Asia ready program everyone from housekeepers to kitchen hands to our General Manager. He has provided the Wrest Point team with understanding of the market rather than rules and this has enabled them to apply their knowledge is a wide variety of circumstances and provide our ever increasing number of visitors from  Asia with a great experience.

Megan Thompson, Marketing Manager, Wrest Point

Richard was instrumental in laying the platform for what is now a profoundly important part of the Australian tourism industry. It is not an overstatement to say we would all be poorer-economically and culturally- without his contribution to tourism from Asia to Australia.

John Morse, former Managing Director of Tourism Australia

The South Australian Tourism Commission engaged the services of Fastrak Asian Solutions in 2016/17 to undertake a review of South Australia’s capability to cater for Chinese visitors across the broader visitor economy including Government and Councils; provide a Development Plan for regions and businesses based on this, and deliver a number of workshops across key regions and business sectors to assist understanding of the requirements for success.
The SATC found the depth and quality of the information supplied as part of the review to be excellent. The Plan and associated tools provide a phased development approach, and the SATC has received very positive feedback from those who attended the workshops.
The total project has delivered an end to end program to assist South Australia win its fair share of Chinse visitor and maximise the commercial returns from them.

Rodney Harrex, Chief Executive, South Australian Tourism Commission

In line with the ‘Harnessing our International Relations’ objective in our Economic Development Strategy the Bundaberg Regional Council in partnership with the regional tourism organisation Bundaberg North Burnett Tourism engaged Fastrak Asian Solutions to work with key local tourism operators to prepare both themselves and the region as a China Ready destination.  This “China Tourism Development” initiative developed local businesses capability in hosting Chinese Free and Independent Travellers (FIT) and ensuring all opportunities to cross—promote local attractions were taken to enhance their visitor experience.

Richard has extensive experience in tourism and business in Asia and it was fantastic to be able to share this with local tourism operators in the region.

We would also like to acknowledge the support of the Australia-China Council for enabling this project to happen.

Cameron Bisley, Branch Manager, Commercial Business & Economic Development, Bundaberg Regional Council

 

Fastrak Into Asia - Our In-Market Delegations

Aim: new perspectives and opportunities for his business after being engaged in the China market for over ten years.

Last year I was very fortunate to attend a high level CEO delegation to China which was organised through Richard Beere in his senior role at Tourism Australia.

I was very impressed with the excellent organisational arrangements which Richard delivered.  We met the right people in the right places and Richard has an outstanding network of connections, matched by a keen understanding of the correct way to do business in China.

I would have no hesitation recommending his consultancy services for any business that is serious about building its business links, not only in China but also in the exciting growth economies right throughout Asia.

Jeremy Johnson, CEO of Sovereign Hill

Aim: a first hand perspective to help make better decisions about existing market programs.

The CEO Delegation to China with Richard was a time efficient and effective way of obtaining comprehensive insights into the dynamics of the market, an understanding of the latest consumer trends, and opportunities for future development.

The one week program developed by Richard, and his daily debriefs and expertise while on the mission, really helped me better understand the market and its significant growth potential for our business.

I would recommend this for senior management and CEOs serious about China.

Lyndel Gray, former CEO of Destination NSW

Aim: to know how to enter and succeed in China.

I was fortunate to join an Australian Tourism CEO Delegation to China in early 2009 which was organised and led by Richard Beere. Although I was aware of the Chinese market, I was amazed at the opportunities that we were able to see first-hand by being connected to the key decision makers and operators in China. This would not have been possible without the astute knowledge and business connections Richard has in the Asian market. Richard is a very respected business representative particularly in China and was able to open many doors for us.

As a company we have now invested in the market in China and are already seeing excellent sales. This would not have been possible if we had tried to do this on our own. The Chinese market is built on relationships and respect and Richard has these qualities which we were able to capitalise on.

Jeff Ellison the Managing Director of Sealink

Aim: a fast overview on China and to know what was needed today.

The broad range of topics covered during the CEO Delegation to China led by Richard Beere really provided a full perspective of China today. Although all the participants were from the travel sector, over 70% of the content related to the current overall market environment, dynamics, and trends which are shaping the business opportunities of the future. The travel sector content was highly relevant and interactive.

Being able to achieve this perspective with only a week out of the office was critical and was greatly assisted by  the strong program, excellent calibre of meeting participants ,and through Richard’s insightful commentary, daily group debriefs, and individual one-on-one debriefs. It was evident that Richard has a great amount of expertise on China, an excellent contact base, and is culturally very attuned to the market.

Any CEO who is active in the China market would benefit from participating.

Greg Hywood former CEO of Tourism Victoria and now CEO of Fairfax Ltd