In this episode of Karryon’s Luxury Unpacked podcast, host Fiona Dalton speaks with Penny Rafferty, Executive Chair of Luxury Lodges of Australia, and Drew Kluska, Founder and Managing Director of The Tailor. The conversation centres on Australia’s position as a global leader in luxury travel and the growing challenge of managing “popularity pain” at iconic destinations like Uluru and Ningaloo Reef. Rafferty emphasises the need for thoughtful capacity and flow management that avoids elitism while preserving natural and cultural heritage. Kluska supports this view, noting the importance of balancing visitor access with sustainable policies that support local communities.
The episode also highlights the rising importance of authentic Indigenous storytelling and meaningful cultural engagement in the luxury travel experience. Both Rafferty and Kluska argue that travellers—both international and domestic—are seeking deeper, more personal connections with place, culture, and nature. They stress that Australia’s unique environment and ancient cultural heritage position it as a destination for transformational travel. The guests call for a shift in how tourism success is measured, focusing on quality, impact, and emotional value rather than sheer numbers, with Kluska summing it up: “People don’t need more, they need real.”
