TAFE NSW has been announced as a finalist in the 2023 National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA) for Most Outstanding Travel Industry Training Institution.

TAFE NSW is among a list of esteemed nominees, including Helloworld Travel, TAFE Queensland, CLIA Australasia, TAFE SA and Virtuoso.

Employment in Accommodation and Food Services is projected to grow by 112,400 (or 13.2%) over the five years to November 2026. TAFE NSW holds a prominent position as a well-established provider of training in this growing industry – with an impressive network spanning 156 learning locations, 22 of which specialise in travel and tourism skills.

This nomination follows years of work by TAFE NSW to realign course delivery to offer more flexible training solutions, to prepare students for success in a constantly evolving sector. A hybrid training model of delivery has been adopted, minimising employer down time and providing learners with a range of study options to suit their work commitments. 

TAFE NSW has been recognised for its long-standing involvement and responsiveness to the travel and tourism industry.

Executive Director Education and Skills, Sydney Region Raf Marcellino says the nomination recognises TAFE NSW’s focus on delivering exceptional learner experiences.

“We know the tourism industry has shown impressive recovery following several major disruptions - with tourists returning to the beautiful destinations we are lucky to have here in NSW,” he said.

“Our goal is to ensure educational quality at every stage of the learner journey, so our students enter the workforce with the skills they need to thrive.”

“Establishing and maintaining close relationships with employers is a key priority - and helps to identify emerging trends and challenges of the industry. We are actively working with Destination NSW to optimise our training for evolving needs of the industry.”

Dr Marcellino says TAFE NSW strives to provide the training needed for the industry to capitalise on opportunities for growth.  

“Cultural tourism is a significant growth sector for regional NSW, particularly in the North Coast, South Coast and Hunter regions,” he said.

“We are helping to create opportunities in this space through courses like a Certificate III in Tourism, with a focus on Aboriginal culture, that includes work placement partnerships with local Aboriginal organisations. We also offer a Certificate III Guiding course, where students learn to conduct tours on Country.”

The National Travel Industry Awards are run each year by the Australian Travel Industry Association and are highly regarded. The NTIA recognises excellence in the Australian travel industry, through a process which includes nominating, voting and judging candidates.

The ceremony will be held in Melbourne on November 18, 2023.

Media contact: Lauren McAllister, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, MediaRelease@tafensw.edu.au, 02 7920 5000.