“Many people affected by the 2003 Canberra bushfires believe their local communities and neighbourhoods were strengthened after the fires.”07 November: The future leaders of the Australian Tourism Industry will be on show at the University of Canberra annual student 2008 Tourism Program Awards.
Federal Senator Bob McMullan MP, Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance and local member for the seat of Fraser (the electorate that includes the University of Canberra) will be the keynote speaker and will present the student award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Tourism Industry and Education’.
Senator McMullan will be joined by an estimated 150 industry, academic and local government representatives to celebrate the achievements of the tourism management students.
The awards recognise the contribution, effort and Involvement University of Canberra Tourism Program students have had with the industry. Canberra’s tourism industry has contributed more than $10,000 towards the awards night.
Graduating student Caitlin Reid is looking forward to commencing her career in the tourism industry at a time when there are many challenges facing the industry.
“There is so much happening in the tourism industry that I am excited about my future. I believe I have a head start due to the wide range of subjects and practical experience the University of Canberra Tourism Program offers students,” she said.
The University of Canberra’s Tourism Program is one of the University’s areas of strength supported by the Centre for Tourism Research and Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre, which carries out research on regional tourism, tourism education, the analysis of tourism impacts and destination management and development.
University of Canberra head of the Tourism Program, Dr Helen Ayres said, “These students are leaving as highly skilled graduates and are equipped with a sound knowledge of sustainable tourism management giving them a head start to undertake a variety of roles in this diverse and multi-disciplinary industry.”
The awards evening was introduced seven years ago to celebrate the students’ achievements and to develop engagement between students and the tourism industry.
WHAT: University of Canberra Tourism Program Awards 2008
WHEN: Thursday 13 November, 6pm – 9pm
WHERE: University of Canberra Innovation Centre, Building 22
