Free study reviving tourism hope

A STUDY program designed to keep those employed in tourism jobs engaged throughout a challenging industry down turn has exceeded expectations.

Amid the corona virus pandemic, the University of Tasmania and Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania( TIC T) partnered to offer industryrelevant places on scholarship, allowing no-cost study options usually worth thousands of dollars.

It has meant members of the TIC T and Australian Hotels Association, as well as other interested Tasmanians, have been able to complete a graduate certificate in either business studies or tourism, environmental and cultural heritage.

TIC T chief executive Luke Martin said the free scholarships initiative had seen a significant uptake from Tasmanian residents, international students and foreign workers. “It’ s been about giving them something

positive to do for their future sand we were hoping for perhaps dozens of students to enrol but we ended up with 900,’’ he said.

On Sunday ,100 of those students took a trip out on the Derwent-on-board the Mon a Roma vessel, which has been mostly sitting idle in recent months because of corona virus restrictions. Mr Martin said the program had developed participants’ skills and knowledge, making the best of uncertain times for the tourism sector.

Jump Tours managing director Greg Price, a mentor in the program, conceded it was a challenge to retain staff in such a climate but said it was important for the future of theindustry.