Co-owner of Mitchell Grass Retreat, Longreach
When to see him:
Session Five Panel: Sustainability as a catalyst for change
When it comes to hospitality in the Outback, you don’t get much more genuine than David Neal. Opening Mitchell Grass Retreat, a luxury glamping retreat, was a dream in the making for David and partner Tanya. Building on experience from previously shared management of Longreach Motor Inn and Saltbush Retreat, David and Tanya were ready to ‘up the ante’ in 2020 with a Longreach and Central West first: glamping.
They wanted to create an authentic luxury outback experience with low environmental impact and seamlessly blend into the Mitchell Grass landscape. Glamping tents ticked all the boxes for three key guest benefits: technology-detox, nature-based break and spending quality time with friends and families.
In a true testament to their belief in this new venture, Mitchell Grass Retreat opened in 2020 – mid-pandemic. Inundated with calls from luxury travel agents over this time, their luxury eco-friendly accommodation concept proved a hit with their targeted high-end market. David would be the first to say that ‘listening and actioning feedback’ from their guests and agents has played a big part in their continued success. They were delighted with the industry recognition achieved through their 2021 and 2022 Queensland and Australian Tourism Awards wins.