A cross-border industry development day for operators, councils and tourism leaders
Tourism isn’t just weekends away and full cafés - it’s one of the most powerful drivers of regional resilience. It creates jobs, grows local business, and keeps money circulating through our towns - from accommodation and hospitality to retail, tours, events and visitor experiences. When tourism is strong, main streets thrive.
The Regional Tourism Forum Riverina Murray 2026 is where that momentum gets built. Delivered by Destination Riverina Murray (DRM) in partnership with Murray Regional Tourism (MRT), this operator-first, outcomes-focused day brings together the people shaping the visitor economy across the cross-border Murray and Riverina, tourism operators, councils, industry stakeholders and partners, all in one room (and across multiple venues). This isn’t a day for theory. It’s built for the people doing the work.
What is the Regional Tourism Forum Riverina Murray?
This forum is a practical industry development day designed to help tourism businesses become stronger, more market-ready, and better connected. You’ll hear from guest speakers, keynote presenters and industry experts from across Australia, alongside real operator case studies from the Riverina Murray and beyond, bringing fresh thinking, proven strategies and practical insight you can actually apply back in your business or region
- Keynote speakers and expert panels
- Operator case studies
- Targeted workshops and breakout sessions
- Real-world debate and practical tools
Diving into the topics that matter most, including:
- Tourism planning pathways and approvals
- PR, storytelling and marketing quick wins
- Product development and experience design
- Murray and Riverina region visitor economy data and insights
- Future trends and high value growth opportunities (cultural connection, wellness travel and agritourism)
Most importantly, it’s a space to come together across borders, LGAs, and tourism sectors, to strengthen the visitor economy as one connected region.
Full program to be announced soon.
Why attend?
Because growth doesn’t happen in isolation. This forum is a rare opportunity to step out of the day-to-day and connect with those facing the same challenges and opportunities, while walking away with clearer next steps. Whether you’re building a new experience, scaling an existing tourism product, working in council or destination development, or simply trying to do 'more with less', this is for you.
What you’ll walk away with
- Practical tools you can use immediately: Take home templates, ideas and approaches you can apply straight away across marketing, PR, digital and product.
- Clearer pathways for planning and development approvals: Hear directly from councils, consultants and operators on how to navigate approvals and development pathways - with fewer headaches and more confidence.
- Visitor economy insights to guide smarter decisions: Understand who your visitors are, when they travel, what they value, and how that should shape your marketing, product development and investment.
- Fresh thinking on product development and experience design: Explore what’s trending in regional tourism (wellness, agritourism, cultural connection & nature-based experiences) and how to turn those trends into bookable, market-ready offerings.
- Stronger cross-border relationships and partnerships: This forum is built for connection. Meet operators, councils and partners across the Riverina and Murray and find collaboration opportunities that help you cut through.
- Confidence, clarity and momentum: Leave with direction and next steps, and the energy that comes from being in the room with people who get it.
Be The Visitor
This isn’t your typical conference, and that’s exactly the point. This is a day to be the visitor. Instead of spending the day in one room, you'll venture through the scenic mid-Murray to Tocumwal NSW just as a visitor would; travelling between curated sessions and workshops hosted at surprise venues, sharing a relaxed lunch in town, and finishing with an evening networking event. It’s immersive, operator-first, and designed to offer a fresh perspective, while showcasing the visitor economy in action.
What’s included
Your ticket is designed to give you practical pathways and takeaways, not just inspirational speeches.
Ticket inclusions:
- Full-day pass keynotes, panels, workshops, breakout sessions, and case studies from operators and tourism experts, featuring guest speakers from across Australia, and valuable take home resources
- Barista-made coffee upon arrival (complimentary)
- Fully catered morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea
- Afternoon networking event at a local brewery with industry peers, councils and partners
Optional add-on:
- Dinner following the afternoon networking event, you are also welcome to join us for dinner! Dinner is not included with the full-day pass and must be purchased separately.
Planning Your Stay
Looking for accommodation & things to do in the area? Make the most of your trip and explore Tocumwal and surrounds.
Tocumwal, The Murray - Accommodation, things to do & more | Visit NSW
This event is hosted in joint collaboration with Destination Riverina Murray and Murray Regional Tourism, and is proudly supported by Destination NSW.
