Tourism, Hospitality and Events — Western Sydney University

We are very excited to announce the launch of our new Bachelor of Tourism and Event Management in 2023! This program builds on over 30 years of excellence in tourism training at Western Sydney University to prepare graduates to take on the full breadth of exciting career opportunities available in the visitor economy. In addition to the new program, we are also launching a comprehensive suite of new majors and minors that will be available to Bachelor of Tourism and Event Management students, and students in undergraduate programs across Western Sydney University: •       Festival and Event Management •       Heritage and Tourism •       Place Management and Planning •       Sport, Events and Tourism •       Sustainability, Tourism and Environment •       Sustainable Tourism Futures (pathway to Master of Sustainable Tourism and Heritage) •       Tourism Management Please find more information about the new programs on the links below. Any assistance you can provide in sharing information about these important programs is greatly appreciated! Bachelor of Tourism and Event Management program page: https://lnkd.in/gQqQKA9T Bachelor of Tourism and Event Management handbook page: https://lnkd.in/g9ZbMD2z                                                                                                                          Stay tuned for more exciting announcements in the coming months!

🎇As the curtain falls on 2024, Western Sydney University has maintained its position in the Times Higher Education Impact ranking placing 1st overall worldwide for the third consecutive year, a first for a university in these ranking tables. 🥇These prestigious rankings assess universities on their commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through their teaching, research, outreach and stewardship. 🥇The Times Higher Education University Impact rankings are the most comprehensive and complex rankings methodology currently available to individual universities across the world. The rankings use indicators across four broad areas - teaching (curriculum), stewardship (operations), research and outreach (engagement) - and include an assessment of an individual institution’s policy landscape. Interest in these rankings has grown exponentially since their introduction in 2019. A university’s total score in a given year is calculated by combining its score in SDG 17 with its best three results on the remaining 16 SDGs. ⚡️Highlights for WSU’s top individual SDGs include: 1️⃣ 1st in the world for SDG 5 Gender Equality 3️⃣ 3rd in the world for SDG 15 Life on Land 4️⃣ 4th in the world for SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production 4️⃣ 4th in the world for SDG 13 Climate Action 4️⃣ 4th in the world for SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals 8️⃣ 8th in the world for SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities 9️⃣ 9th in the world for SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation 🏁 And to cap it all off, in 2024, Western Sydney University's remodeled tourism, hospitality and events management subjects are ranked 101-150 in the Shanghai Ranking. A small team punching above its weight with more to come in 2025 - Garth Lean, Dr Donna James, Felicity Picken, Willem Coetzee, Julie Wen, Joseph M. Cheer & Song Ee Hahn 👏🏾. See more on THE University Impact Rankings: https://lnkd.in/gnC7ndTi.

I recently published a chapter titled "Reducing Single-Use Plastic and Waste: Fantasy or Reality at Disney Theme Parks" in an edited book on Sustainable Waste Management in the Tourism and Hospitality Sectors https://lnkd.in/gFhRMx2B #research #phd #publication

I’m excited to share that Western Sydney University and Western Sydney International Airport have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking a significant step in our collaboration. This partnership brings together a broad range of efforts focused on supporting jobs, innovation, and community development in the region. Although I couldn’t attend the signing ceremony yesterday as I’m currently overseas, I’m incredibly proud of the contributions my students and I have made to this partnership over the past couple of years. Our research has investigated customer experience at airports, including improving accessibility for people with hidden and physical disabilities, enhancing cultural accessibility, supporting community engagement, promoting health and wellbeing, and using art to make airports better places to transit and dwell. This work has been important in laying the groundwork for this MoU. A special thank you to Erica Lacuna and Debbie Steffan (both students from the School of Social Sciences), who represented our team at the signing ceremony, alongside the Chancellor (Professor Jennifer Westacott AO), Vice-Chancellor (Professor George Williams), and other distinguished guests from Western Sydney University and Western Sydney International Airport (see photos below). I’d also like to acknowledge the other student members of our team Monique R. (School of Law), Rita Ndayra (School of Law / School of Social Sciences), and Lily Wilson (School of Health Sciences), whose invaluable contributions have been key to the success of our research. And thank you to Kylie Morris (General Manager, Customer Experience), Katie Pearson (Executive Manager, Customer Strategy) and their colleagues at Western Sydney International Airport for their ongoing collaboration and support with these projects that are driving meaningful change for customer experiences at airports. We’re excited to continue our work together, with new projects commencing this week. You can read more about the MoU signing ceremony here: https://lnkd.in/gjKcncKG Thank you for the great photos Erica and Debbie. Looks like you had fun with the Launch Pad - Western Sydney University Careers Simulator!

Last night I had the pleasure of representing Western Sydney University at the 2024 Tourism Awards with Dr Julie Wen, Professor Brian Stout, Professor Robyn Bushell, Alison Douglas, Dr Karina Wardle, Dr Nicole Bridges, Debbie Steffan, Rachel Maldonado, Keith Baker. These awards, presented by Western Sydney University’s partner the NSW Tourism Association, celebrate and recognise the outstanding achievements of the state’s tourism industry. In addition to our table, we also had 10 volunteers from the Bachelor of Tourism and Event Management and Master of Sustainable Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management at the event. It was also great to see many members of our External Advisory Committee and alumni across the room. Western Sydney University was delighted to sponsor the ‘Service to the Tourism Industry’ award, and I had the honour of presenting awards to the category winners (Gold = TRC Tourism, Jindabyne / Silver = Sparrowly Group, Sydney / Bronze = Hipscotch, Hill End). Congratulations to all winners and finalists across the many categories. It is remarkable to see the strength, diversity and resilience of the industry, and a privilege to have been a part of it for the last 20 odd years. It was great to be part of such a strong Western Sydney University contingent at the event. The Tourism, Hospitality and Events — Western Sydney University group in Western Sydney University's School of Social Sciences looks forward to continuing to strengthen our partnership with NSW Tourism Association, working collaboratively with colleagues across the university to train the future leaders of the NSW visitor economy. Onwards and upwards! And thank you Natalie Godward, Lori Modde MAICD FICDA MBA and everyone else involved for organising such a great event! #NSWTourismAwards2024

I have successfully completed over 100 hours of work placement at the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA). Australian Travel Industry Association First and foremost, I am incredibly grateful and honoured to have started my career in tourism industry with ATIA. I would like to thank all the ATIA members who supported me throughout this journey and provided me with this amazing opportunity. Dean Long Richard Taylor Jenny Le Amanda Rixon Gina Dounis Nina Hedges Ingrid Fraser Liza - Jayne (LJ) Loch EA Atia and Daria During my placement, I primarily worked on organising the Beyond Borders and also participated in the National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA) as a volunteer. This experience has brought me one step closer to my future goals, which continue to inspire and motivate me. I came to Australia three years ago with dreams for the future and began studying tourism. Looking back, I would never have imagined that I would one day have the opportunity to work with such an amazing team. I am truly proud of how far I have come and all that I have achieved. Over the past two months, everything has been new to me and has provided valuable learning experiences. The other day, I asked myself what I had learned through my placement, and what came to mind immediately was that all the ATIA members genuinely seem happy to be part of the team and enjoy working together. This, I believe, is what truly makes a great team. Once again, I would like to sincerely thank everyone at ATIA for this incredible opportunity and their support throughout my placement. All photos are by Event Photos Australia Garth Lean Tourism, Hospitality and Events — Western Sydney University

Celebrating Our Category Sponsor: Western Sydney University! We’re excited to have Western Sydney University (WSU) as a category sponsor for the 2024 NSW Tourism Awards. WSU’s dedication to education, innovation, and community engagement aligns with our mission to celebrate and elevate the achievements of the NSW tourism industry. Thank you, Western Sydney University, for your invaluable support in recognizing tourism excellence and for your commitment to empowering the leaders and innovators driving this vital sector forward. #NSWTourismAwards2024 #2024NSWTourismAwards #WesternSydneyUniversity #CategorySponsor #EducationAndTourism #CelebrateTourism #ThankYou

Today marks a momentous occasion as the NSW Tourism Association signed the inaugural Memorandum of Understanding with Western Sydney University as we work together to create the tourism leaders of the future! This MOU will enhance student pathways, foster professional and development opportunities and allow for collaborative research with our members. We are excited to embark on this journey together. #univeristy #universitypathways #industrycollaboration #visitoreconomy #westernsydneyuniversity Kevin Dunn Garth Lean Keith Baker Natalie Godward Lori Modde MAICD FICDA MBA Adam Possamai

We are delighted to announce that Western Sydney University and the Tourism, Hospitality and Events — Western Sydney University team have signed an MoU with the NSW Tourism Association! This sees us become the association’s inaugural education member. The partnership recognises the high quality and comprehensive tourism, hospitality and events training programs offered by Western Sydney University. It will provide career pathways and professional development experiences for students and alumni, contributing to the skilled workforce NSW needs to remain competitive as a premier destination. It will also facilitate research partnerships addressing critical issues facing the visitor economy in NSW and Australia. You can read more in the news story below! #Tourism #Hospitality #Events #Innovation #Sustainability #VisitorEconomy #NSWTourism #FutureWorkforce #CareerOpportunities

I’m thrilled to share that I’ve wrapped up my internship as a Tour Operations Assistant at Renaissance Tours Australia. This journey has been unforgettable and I’m deeply grateful to everyone who made it such a meaningful experience. Thank you, Professor Garth Lean for believing in me from day one. Your encouragement helped me overcome my initial hesitations, giving me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone and embrace new challenges. Your guidance and faith meant everything to me from the very start and I am deeply appreciative. To Evan Petrelis, thank you for welcoming me into the Renaissance Tours family and for all the small yet invaluable lessons along the way. You gave me the chance to contribute and grow, showing me the ropes of the industry with kindness and patience that extended beyond just work. From thoughtful communication to treating everyone with respect, I’m grateful for your guidance and for the opportunity to learn from you. To Madoka Yamaguchi, thank you for the warm welcome and throughout my internship, your support and guidance have meant so much to me. Your warmth, openness and dedication to turning every mistake into a learning opportunity have left a lasting impact. I’m grateful for everything you’ve shared and for the connection we built. Finally, to the Operations team, Client Service team, Product team, and everyone at Renaissance Tours—thank you for welcoming me so warmly and making me feel like part of the Renaissance Tours family. It has been an honor and a privilege to learn from such a dedicated and talented group. Working alongside each of you has truly enriched my experience. I’m delighted to share that I’ll be continuing with Renaissance Tours as a casual Tour Operations Assistant! I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to keep learning, growing, and contributing. Feeling fortunate and excited for the journey ahead with such an incredible team!