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Helm

@thisishelm

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Helm is a strategy-first consultancy that designs and amplifies places and experiences.
Brisbane (Meanjin) + Sydney (Warrang)

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Bullo River Station is one of the 2027 openings we’re most excited about.

The Northern Territory lodge, and member of Luxury Lodges of Australia, will reopen on 1 May 2027 following a major transformation of its homestead and guest accommodation, led by Sibella Court and MJA Studio.

Set across 400,000 acres of outback, Bullo River Station will retain its intimate 12-room footprint, with guest rooms almost doubling in size, alongside new gathering spaces, landscaping and a renewed homestead shaped by the landscape, heritage and character of the station.

Reservations for the 2027 season are now open.

We’re looking forward to sharing much more from this very special place in the months ahead.

@bulloriverstation @australia @ntaustralia @luxurylodgesofaustralia @sibellacourt @mjastudio

#bulloriverstation by @thisishelm

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12 days ago

Australians are slowing down in Europe but travel demand is speeding up.

New data from our client European Waterways shows Australian passenger numbers are up +9% YoY in 2026, alongside a +14% increase in bookings made through travel agents.

But it’s how Australians are travelling that tells the bigger story.

Individual cabin bookings jumped +29%, driven by growing demand from solo travellers (+14%) and couples. And rather than racing between Europe’s major cities, experienced travellers are increasingly going deeper into regional Europe.

Burgundy was the standout, with Australian passengers up +67%, followed by Champagne (+50%) and the Canal du Midi (+20%). Beyond regional France, Australian bookings for both Ireland and Scotland more than doubled.

So how will Australians travel Europe in 2027?

Smaller groups. Slower journeys. Fewer places, experienced more deeply. Champagne currently leads Australian forward bookings, followed by Gascony, and Bordeaux.

Get in touch to find out more.

@european_waterways

#EuropeanWaterways #LuxuryTravel #TravelTrends #SlowTravel by @thisishelm

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19 days ago

Despite global conflict and rising costs, Australians and New Zealanders are still travelling. But where they’re choosing to go is shifting.

Helm’s latest AU & NZ Market Update reveals continued growth in outbound travel, alongside some significant changes in destination demand.

The standout? Asia.

Australians made 7.14 million trips to Asia in FY26, up 5.7%, while Asia was the fastest-growing region for New Zealand travellers, up 5.2%. Vietnam surged from both markets, alongside strong growth for Japan, China, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines.

Europe experienced a dip (down 1.9% from Australia and 4.7% from New Zealand) amid Middle East conflict affecting long-haul flight routes and traveller confidence. Rather than signalling a wholesale shift away from Europe, the FY26 figures need to be understood within this period of disruption.

The bigger shift is happening across the Pacific. Travel to the USA fell 8.9% from Australia and 17.6% from New Zealand, continuing a significant decline in appeal from both markets.

For destinations, that presents an opportunity. AU/NZ outbound travel continues to grow, Asia is taking an increasingly significant share, and Europe and Asia particularly have an opportunity to capture more travellers looking beyond the USA.

The map is shifting, and there’s market share up for grabs from high-spending Aussies and Kiwis. And we’re here to help capture this. 💫

#Helm #traveltrends #travelinsights by @thisishelm

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25 days ago

9,500 more trees in the ground 🌱

It’s been a busy planting season for our not-for-profit partner ReForest Now, with almost 9,500 trees planted across six properties in Northern NSW during August alone.

The work is about much more than planting trees. Some sites adjoin remnants of existing rainforest, while others begin as cleared paddocks. By restoring diverse native species, the aim is to reconnect fragmented rainforest and create forests that will eventually regenerate and spread themselves.

It’s work we’re very proud to play a small part in.

At Helm, we plant at least 10 trees for every fee invoice we raise through ReForest Now’s Australian reforestation program. That’s 3,740 trees planted so far, and counting.

A small action built into the way we do business. And one that keeps growing.

@reforestnow_australia
#reforestnow by @thisishelm

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a month ago

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a month ago

What happens when the feeling of a hotel stay follows you home?

Across Small Luxury Hotels of the World, member hotels are extending their design language beyond the stay through fragrance, fashion, homeware, art, craft and locally made pieces that capture a sense of place.

From estate-made ceramics and olive oil at Reschio Hotel and bespoke scents at Milan’s Magna Pars L’Hotel à Parfum, to Fendi Private Suites’ fashion-led world in Rome and locally crafted pieces at Lon Retreat on Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula, these hotels are creating lifestyle ecosystems that live well beyond check-out.

A new take on resort living, SLH style ✨

@smallluxuryhotels by @thisishelm

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2 months ago

Low water levels across parts of Europe have been making headlines. Hot, dry conditions are causing problems for some river cruises, but canal cruising is a completely different story!

Canals are managed waterways, with locks, reservoirs and other systems designed to regulate water levels, so they’re generally less affected by short-term changes in water levels.

And thanks to the flexibility of canal cruising, we’re happy to share that European Waterways’ full summer programme continues to operate.

Cruises in Scotland, Ireland, England and Italy remain unaffected, while the majority of French itineraries are also operating as planned.

Where slight changes have been necessary, European Waterways’ 50 years of experience, strong local partnerships and in-depth knowledge of Europe’s waterways have enabled the team to adapt quickly while preserving the excursions, experiences and exceptional service guests expect. 💫

@europeanwaterways

#EuropeanWaterways #HotelBarge #LuxuryTravel #CanalCruising #SlowTravel EuropeanTravel by @thisishelm

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2 months ago

Small Luxury Hotels of the World has welcomed Broadwick Soho as the first London hotel to join its Finest Collection - a selection of exceptional independent properties recognised for their distinctive character, strong sense of place and consistently outstanding guest experiences.

Set in the heart of the West End, Broadwick Soho brings a bold, bohemian expression of luxury to the collection, with richly layered interiors by Martin Brudnizki, more than 300 original artworks and a cultural programme spanning art, music, design and performance.

The hotel joins 29 other Finest Collection members around the world, marking an exciting first for the collection in London.

A striking addition to SLH’s growing portfolio of truly distinctive independent hotels.

@smallluxuryhotels
@broadwicksoho
#SmallLuxuryHotels #SLH #SLHFinest #BroadwickSoho by @thisishelm

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2 months ago

Travel can leave more than memories. It can leave a positive impact. 🤍
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The latest Impact Report from @nikoiisland and @cempedakisland highlights what’s possible when conservation and tourism work hand in hand.
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Some standout results from 2025:
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💚 4,054 sea turtle hatchlings released – a record year and a 62% increase on 2024.
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💚 138,500 hectares of marine environment protected – an area larger than Singapore.
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💚 Guest participation helped support the publication of a peer reviewed scientific paper, showing how tourism can directly contribute to conservation research.
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💚 A 66% increase in guest fundraising, with approximately AUD $36,750 raised to support education programs across the Riau Archipelago.
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Perhaps the most encouraging result? Guests are becoming active participants in conservation, proving that travel can create meaningful benefits for nature, local communities and culture. by @thisishelm

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3 months ago

One of the most interesting travel trends emerging in 2026 is a clear contradiction.
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Two very different mindsets are shaping how people travel.
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Maximalism: trips-of-a-lifetime, bucket-list destinations, and big “bragable” experiences.
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Mindful simplicity: slow travel, wellness trips, digital detox escapes, and authentic connections.
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The result isn’t one or the other. Travellers increasingly blend both.
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They may travel more simply overall but splurge on one standout moment - an upgraded flight, a special meal, or a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
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Luxury travel today isn’t always about constant indulgence.
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More often, it’s about strategic micro-luxury moments that make a trip unforgettable.
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Want access to more travel insights? Get in touch for a copy of Helm’s complete 2026 market update. 💙 by @thisishelm

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3 months ago

We recently brought together @eurail and cookbook author, food columnist and founder of @saturdaynightpasta, @elizabethhewson, for a partnership that explored the beauty of slow travel through the lens of slow food.
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Twelve years after studying at the Slow Food school in northern Italy, Elizabeth returned by rail to the places that first shaped her love of food.
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With the freedom of a Eurail Pass, she revisited old favourites, embraced unexpected detours and rediscovered the travel experiences that inspired her career.
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The result was a beautiful series of photography, video, stories and recipes proving that the best journeys aren’t just about where you go. They’re about who you become along the way. 💙 by @thisishelm

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4 months ago

We’re excited to share that Small Luxury Hotels of the World has partnered with Salter Brothers Hospitality to expand its Australian footprint, adding five exceptional Ardour and Spicers properties to its global collection. 💫
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From the newly reimagined Ardour Milton Park Bowral and Ardour Lilianfels Blue Mountains to the much-loved Spicers Potts Point, Spicers Balfour Brisbane and Spicers Peak Lodge, each property reflects the individuality, sense of place and independent spirit that defines Small Luxury Hotels.
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We can’t wait to check them all out!
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@smallluxuryhotels
@ardourhotelsandestates
@spicersretreats by @thisishelm

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4 months ago