What happens when an industry built on “sustainability talk” is forced to confront the reality of its own impacts? In this hard‑hitting conversation, Professor Harold Goodwin — one of the world’s most influential voices in responsible tourism — joins Ged Brown to dismantle the myths, expose the contradictions, and challenge the complacency that still dominates global tourism.

Together they explore:

• Why responsible tourism is still misunderstood — and too often misused
• The tragedy‑of‑the‑commons problem at the heart of modern travel
• How Airbnb reshaped destination control
• Why climate change is already rewriting seasonality
• The uncomfortable truth about “business as usual”
• What destinations must do now if they want to use tourism rather than be used by it
• Why transparency, evidence, and action matter more than ever

Harold also shares insights on the upcoming Tourism Seasonality Summit in Rimini, where ICRT global joins as the official Impact & Responsibility Partner.

This is not a gentle conversation — it’s a necessary one.

If you care about the future of tourism, you’ll want to hear every minute.

In this episode of Balancing Tourism, host Ged Brown moderates a panel at the CAPA Airline Leaders Forum in Athens on one of the industry’s most pressing challenges: overtourism.

Ahead of the forthcoming Tourism Seasonality Summit and with international arrivals surging past pre‑pandemic levels, destinations across Europe and beyond are facing grassroots protests, new regulations, and mounting pressure to rethink tourism flows. Airlines, often seen as enablers of mass travel, are now being asked: what role can they play in creating more sustainable, balanced tourism?

Panelists:

• Peter Glade, Chief Commercial Officer, TUI Airline

• Majid Khan, CEO, Saudi Air Connectivity Program

• Sascha Feuerherd, Senior Associate Partner, Aviado Partners

Key Themes:

• Why “overtourism” is really about mismanagement of tourism capacity

• How airlines can diversify routes and extend seasons to ease pressure on hotspots

• The impact of tourism taxes and regulations on demand and network planning

• Aligning aviation strategies with national tourism visions

• The importance of engaging local communities and stakeholders in shaping tourism futures

Takeaway: Airlines cannot solve overtourism alone, but they can be powerful partners in redistributing demand, supporting sustainable destination strategies, and ensuring tourism remains in harmony with local communities.

The conversations will continue in Rimini at the forthcoming Tourism Seasonality Summit no doubt.

In this episode of the Balancing Tourism Podcast, Ged Brown sits down with Michael Moriarty, Managing Director of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, for a fascinating conversation about the past, present, and future of the iconic theme park.

Recorded at Routes World in Hong Kong, this interview offers valuable insights into how one of the world's leading tourist destinations manages growth, complexity, and customer expectations.

Key Takeaways

• The Evolution of Hong Kong Disneyland: Michael Moriarty reflects on the park's 20-year journey, from its opening as the first Disney park in China to its latest expansion with the "World of Frozen." He discusses the park's unique, intimate layout and its exclusive attractions that have become a core part of its identity.

• The Shift to Experiential Tourism: The conversation delves into the changing expectations of guests over the past two decades. Moriarty highlights the move away from "transactional tourism" towards a desire for shared, immersive experiences. This is exemplified by the trend of guests dressing up as their favorite characters, a form of self-expression and community building that the park actively encourages.

• Managing High Expectations: With the Disney brand comes incredibly high expectations. Moriarty shares the strategies Hong Kong Disneyland employs to consistently deliver a magical experience. These include capping attendance to ensure a high-quality guest experience, implementing a reservation system, and using tiered pricing to manage demand from 13 different markets.

• The Art of Crowd Management: One of the most intriguing parts of the discussion is how the park uses entertainment to manage crowd flow. The daily parades, for instance, are strategically timed to draw guests to the main parade route, thereby reducing queues at popular attractions during peak times.

• The Role of Technology and Data: Technology plays a crucial role in enhancing the guest experience. The Hong Kong Disneyland app provides guests with a personalised itinerary, mobile ordering options, and even the ability to purchase front-of-line access for popular rides. The park also leverages data and consumer insights to understand guest behavior and continuously improve its offerings.

• The Future of the Park: Looking ahead, Moriarty reveals exciting plans for new attractions, including a brand-new Pixar experience and a major expansion of the Marvel-themed area. These developments promise to bring unique, high-tech experiences to the park, further solidifying its position as a leading global destination.

• A Lesson for the Tourism Industry: The interview concludes with a powerful message for the broader tourism industry: success lies in managing experiences and expectations. Moriarty's advice to the upcoming Disney park in Abu Dhabi is to be "distinctly Disney, but uniquely Emirati," a testament to the importance of creating a unique identity that resonates with the local culture.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone in the aviation and tourism industry, offering a masterclass in how to create and maintain a world-class visitor experience.