Tailored tourism training for an ever-evolving industry
GIFT provides a range of services, including practical and research-based training for industry professionals in Australia and overseas. Training programs can be tailored to particular needs, drawing upon the world-class expertise of Griffith University staff in tourism, finance, town planning, information technology and other areas. Training courses build on our extensive teaching, applied research and practical industry experience.
Sustainable Development Goals
Griffith University is aligned with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is committed to contributing to building resilient economies that promote decent work and improve the well-being of individuals and communities.
Tourism experience training - Working with Gold Coast businesses
GIFT has worked closely with industry and government to develop training resources to improve the visitor experience and create memorable tourist experiences. In 2012, Dr Sarah Gardiner and Professor Noel Scott were successful in securing an Australian Government TQUAL Grant. They worked with five businesses—including Dreamworld, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Get Wet Surf School, Paradise Jetboating and Australian Kayaking Adventures—to develop and test new products particularly targeted at the Chinese independent travel and student markets.
Tourism product development training for Indonesian tourism stakeholders
GIFT, funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has developed a training workshops for Indonesian tourism managers for the Australia Awards Indonesia Program. Now in its second year, the course is supported by Griffith University and Sunshine Coast University staff. During the course participants work on individual research projects that they implement on their return.
The course is delivered in three phases:
- One week pre-course workshop in Labuan Bajo, Flores.
- Three-week short course in North Queensland and the Gold Coast.
- Post-course workshop in Indonesia.
Training for tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals
The United Nations Development Goals are 17 specific goals the global community has agreed on to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. In some way, sustainable tourism has the capacity to contribute. GIFT researchers work with international agencies, and public and private partners on training initiatives which assist stakeholders to apply tourism to achieve these goals. Special focus is given to those specifically relating to tourism, namely: Goal 8 (Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all); Goal 12 (Ensure sustainable Consumption and Production patterns); and Goal 14 (Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development).
Tourism Economics and Tourism Satellite Accounts
As tourism statistics are not part of the core System of National Accounts, the role of Tourism Satellite Accounts is critical to tourism analysts and policy makers. Tourism contribution and its impacts on the whole economy can only be quantified through the Tourism Satellite Accounts (TSA). The TSA framework brings both demand and supply sides of the tourism sector together for better planning and decision making. Dr Tien Pham has extensive experience in the TSA field and led the development of sub-state TSA for tourism destinations in Queensland, and subsequently he developed the State TSA for all states and territories in Australia. He has provided advice, seminar and training to industry and government departments in Thailand, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.