Australian tour operator Fantastic Aussie Tours (FAT) has announced the appointment of a new general manager to the bus operator.
FAT has appointed experienced operations and customer-experience leader Bryan Swadling to the role.
He brings with him a hands-on background that started with cheffing at some of the Blue Mountains’ most prestigious restaurants (Echoes Boutique Hotel & Restaurant and Lilianfels Resort & Spa in Katoomba, and Leura’s Fairmont Resort, Nikita expresso bar and Red Door Café) before spending time in London and Bathers Pavilion Restaurant in Sydney.
For the past seven years, he has been part of the Scenic World team, first as retail and food and beverage manager and then master planner manager.
As a former Blue Mountains Grammar School student, Swadling has known FAT managing director Jason Cronshaw for many years.
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“Jason genuinely cares about this region and the people who work here,” he says.
“That stood out straight away. I’ve always believed great tourism experiences are built from the ground up.
“If your team feel supported and proud of what they do, guests feel it straight away. That matters even more in a close-knit community like the Blue Mountains.”
Cronshaw says Swadling’s appointment reflects a commitment to strong, locally focused leadership.
“Bryan understands regional tourism and the importance of getting the basics right,” Cronshaw says.
“He respects the history of the business, values our team and brings the operational experience we need as tourism continues to rebuild and grow in the Mountains.”
Fantastic Aussie Tours has been part of the Mountains’ tourism fabric since 1974 and operates the iconic Blue Mountains Explorer Bus, which has been helping visitors explore Katoomba and Leura since 1986.
The broader business also includes Christian Fellowship Tours, which will continue to operate separately.
Swadling says preserving that local legacy while adapting to changing visitor expectations will be a key focus of his new role.
“The Explorer Bus is a fantastic part of the Mountains story,” he says. “Locals know it, visitors love it, and there’s a real sense of pride attached to it.
“My job is to make sure it continues to serve the community well – supporting local businesses, creating jobs and helping visitors engage more deeply with the region.”
And in a move likely to resonate with the industry, Swadling has committed to getting his bus licence.
“If you’re running a bus company in the Mountains, you should probably know how to drive a bus,” he says.
“It’s about understanding what our drivers deal with every day – the roads, the weather, the visitors, all of it.”
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