Sydney-based Tourism Portfolio – one of the Australian travel industry’s leading sales representation companies – is today celebrating its 10 year anniversary.

Founder Donna Kessler spent more than 20 years with some of the world’s most prestigious hotel brands when in 2002 she saw an opportunity to use her experience to launch a boutique representation company serving high-quality venues, properties and destinations.

Since then Tourism Portfolio has represented a wide range of resorts, venues and destination marketing companies across Australasia, Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North America.

“The business has grown organically through reputation and referral and we now have the honour of working with some of the travel industry’s most powerful and successful brands," says Kessler.

Tourism Portfolio has also been the recipient of state and national Meetings & Events Australia awards, including ‘Sales and Marketing Person of the Year’ in 2005 and 2008.

Kessler says the business tourism sector has changed dramatically over the past decade.

"In 2002 companies had big budgets for multiple, knock-your-socks-off events each year to long-haul destinations," she says. "With the global financial crisis came a shift towards fewer events, smaller budgets and short-haul locations.

“Budgets have returned, however, clients are now more savvy and demanding. They want experiences that are simply not available to the everyday tourist, and they expect each trip to surpass the previous journey.

“That has put pressure on destination marketing companies to continually create new and innovative solutions,” she says.

“Fortunately Tourism Portfolio has been lucky enough to work with partners who enjoy pushing the envelope and exceeding expectations."

Kessler said that operators faced a number of challenges, including the need to re-educate consumers that top-shelf experiences require realistic budgets.

“During the GFC hotels offered very competitive deals in order to attract business, which helped create a perception that quality products can be obtained for unrealistic rates,” she says.

“I think the MICE sector must also learn how to use social media and online channels to more effectively build brand awareness, forge networks, and engage with new and existing clients.

“As an industry we also need better information and research, to help us understand our sector's importance and keep abreast of market issues and trends.”