From Bungy Jumping to Supporting Entrepreneurs: My Tourism Career, Built One Opportunity at a Time
Episode Description
This one flips the script.
For the first time on Tourism Matters, Carmen moves from host to guest, with Sarah Jane Tilbury taking the reins.
What unfolds is not a polished career narrative. It’s a real one.
From retail floors to reservations desks, bungy platforms to Rugby World Cup operations, entrepreneurship to industry capability work - Carmen’s 25-year career is built on instinct, movement, and saying yes to opportunity.
There’s no linear path here. But there is a pattern.
Follow your gut. Stay close to the industry. Take the next interesting step.
This episode pulls back the curtain on what a tourism career actually looks like - and why the industry has far more depth, opportunity, and longevity than people give it credit for.
What You’ll Take Away
Why tourism careers rarely follow a straight path — and why that’s a strength
How early decisions (and non-decisions) shape long-term career direction
What working across Australia and New Zealand teaches you about the industry
The reality of frontline roles — and why they accelerate learning fast
Lessons from major events like the Rugby World Cup 2011
The difference between having experience and building capability
Why entrepreneurship is a sharper teacher than most jobs
The hidden career pathways most people don’t see in tourism
Why the industry has a workforce perception problem
How human connection — not systems — defines great tourism experiences
About Sarah Jane Tilbury
Sarah Jane Tilbury is an experienced tourism and operations leader with a background spanning transport, experiences, and team leadership across Australia and the UK.
She brings a sharp operational lens, a strong understanding of people and performance, and just enough humour to keep Carmen on her toes.
Organisations & Platforms Referenced
SeaLink: www.sealink.com.au
Adventure Tours Australia: www.adventuretours.com.au/
AJ Hackett Bungy: www.bungy.co.nz/
Tourism Holdings Limited: https://www.thlonline.com/
Kiwi Experience: https://www.kiwiexperience.com/
Destination Southern Tasmania: https://southerntasmania.com.au/
Tourism Matters Careers (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/company/tourism-matters-careers/
carmenbold.com: https://www.carmenbold.com/
Episode Chapters
00:00 – Introduction and role reversal with Sarah Jane Tilbury
02:00 – Following instinct and staying connected in the industry
07:00 – Early career decisions and entering tourism
10:00 – First roles in reservations and industry exposure
17:00 – Moving to New Zealand and adventure tourism
22:00 – Bungy, celebrities, and unexpected moments
29:00 – Rugby World Cup and large-scale event operations
32:00 – Operational leadership and career progression
39:00 – Entrepreneurship and the reality of building a business
44:00 – Industry development, mentoring, and education
50:00 – Why Tourism Matters exists
54:00 – Workforce challenges and industry perception
58:00 – The role of people in delivering experiences
61:00 – Advice for emerging professionals
64:00 – Final reflections on career, industry, and opportunity