Start your career in tourism, hospitality & events
Gain the skills and knowledge to develop, operate, manage and market sustainable tourism products, businesses, destinations and impactful events with our nationally-recognised courses.
The School for the Visitor Economy is a cross-university school providing the local and international hospitality, tourism and event management industries with qualified professionals and research.
We are proud to have won Bronze in the 2025 Victoria Tourism Awards – Tourism Education and Training category. This award recognises our achievements across tourism, hospitality, culinary and event-management training, as well as our visitor-economy research.
We deliver industry-based programs across all qualification levels, from pre-vocational certificates through to PhDs. We also offer customised accredited training programs designed to meet the specific needs of businesses within the sector.
Our courses in hospitality, tourism and event management allow you to build pathways across VU's other offerings related to visitor economy needs, such as food science, transport and logistics, management and marketing, sports management, our prestigious MBA program and many more.
Our courses are informed by key industry partnerships. We work with our many partners to provide you with hands-on experience so you graduate with a professional network and key industry knowledge.
We provide evidence-based research and consulting in tourism under one entity for compelling results and impact. SVE’s multi-disciplinary approach draws on expertise across VU such as:
data analytics and machine learning (AI)
sports management
human resources & supply chain
economics and finance.
News
Running for 39 years, the Victorian Tourism Awards are an annual showcase of excellence in tourism, hosted by peak tourism and events body, VTIC.
The Bronze award in the Tourism Education and Training category recognised the School for the Visitor Economy’s significant partnerships with industry – offering practical experience at all levels of training and education.
This new award encourages students to recognise how their training, actions, and behaviours directly influence the customer experience and the broader visitor economy.
The winners distinguished themselves by making this connection, demonstrating that their impact extends beyond their immediate team to the wider brand and organisational experience, contributing to outcomes such as repeat visitation. They exemplified the ability to link learning with practice, while showcasing initiative, leadership, and a commitment to creating positive visitor experiences.
First place prize was over $1,000 value in donated industry events and visitor experiences. Students and industry including Lisa Patroni, Chief Executive of Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) came together at an industry event at VenU, VU’s student operated restaurant in December 2025.
First place
Anh Do, Bachelor of Business (Event Management & Marketing), VU Business School
Anh impressed with her exceptional leadership, initiative, and ability to apply her events management and marketing learning across diverse contexts. She has contributed extensively to internal VU projects such as V4U Day, VU Open Day, Enactus VU and Vietnamese Interclub of VU sharpening her skills in sustainability, accessibility, and communication.
Her role as a V4U Day Leader showcased her capacity to lead, inspire, and create safe, positive experiences for participants.
Through her Work Integrated Learning placement in the Major Partnerships team, Anh gained hands-on experience with large-scale events like the AFLW Pride Match and Western Chances Business Forum and the WoMEDA Summit.
Second place
Hugo Garrett, Certificate III in Commercial Cookery, VU TAFE
Hugo stood out with his initiative, problem-solving, and clear ability to connect learning with practice. Progressing rapidly from barback to duty manager within two years, he has consistently sought opportunities to enhance guest experiences and streamline operations.
At The Metropolitan Hotel, Hugo played a pivotal role in launching a new venue level, taking on leadership responsibilities, and ensuring smooth execution. He also demonstrated creativity and collaboration in developing a new cocktail menu, engaging colleagues in the process and fostering team involvement.
His examples reflect a strong understanding of how his work impacts both the business and customer experience, showcasing qualities of leadership, innovation, and a passion for hospitality.
Award winners with Professor Naomi Dale, Director School for the Visitor Economy and Lisa Patroni, Chief Executive Victoria Tourism Industry Council
Shaping the Visitor Economy of Tomorrow
Industry connections
We work with a high-level industry advisory panel and industry partners to make sure our training, education and research is closely aligned with industry needs. You will have access to work integrated learning opportunities, which will ensure you gain hands-on professional work experience and graduate job-ready.
You will join a large network of alumni, industry partners and tourism researchers you can stay connected with after graduation.
Our hospitality students can also access Victoria University's award-winning 150-seat training restaurant, VenU. There, you will be able to practise your skills in a live environment with paying customers.
VU also has strong research capabilities, with the cross-disciplinary expertise to respond to future industry challenges and developments with evidence-based solutions.
Placements that pave the way: a Q&A with two VU business students
“I had a chance to collaborate with colleagues on various projects and contribute to the success of the team, which let me truly experience the work life of a tourism and hospitality employee and apply what I had learned in a professional environment”
You can study a wide range of courses, from certificate and diplomas all the way through to masters degrees and PhDs. We offer a range of study areas, including hospitality, commercial cookery, travel and tourism, event management, and business.
Our courses enable you to pathway seamlessly between VU TAFE units and higher education courses. You can re-enter education at any point in your career to top-up your skills or qualify for promotion.
What skills are employers looking for? We break down 8 skills that are needed in the hospitality industry – from cafes and start-ups, to global hotel brands, major events, and everything in between.
The School undertakes and facilitates cross-disciplinary research within the Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities. Our research underpins growth and sustainability in tourism destinations and visitor-economy–related businesses.
Our strong industry links and partnerships allow our researchers to respond nimbly to industry problems and evolving opportunities.
Key current research themes include:
tourism and the green economy and planetary health
TheResilient Enterprises & Sustainable Employment in Tourism (RESET) project's goal was to support the recovery and transformation of the visitor economy in Melbourne’s west following the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In collaboration with key industry partners, RESET developed training for Western Melbourne tourism businesses, guided by an assessment of skills and capability gaps in the area.
The Australia-ASEAN New Normal for the Visitor Economy Supply Chain project developed collaborative networks between ASEAN countries, to create a sustainable ‘new normal’ for the visitor economy supply chain.
Three events were held to support the creation of a virtual community, to share and discuss on the impacts of COVID-19 and recovery strategies. These events aim to strengthen international collaboration between Australia and ASEAN countries, including Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.
Funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia-ASEAN Council (AAC), the project included two webinars and a face-to-face workshop held June 2023 in Malaysia.
The project supports industry recovery and identify resilience building strategies, through a collaborative network.
Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Australia
Victoria Tourism Industry Council
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Women in Logistics and Transport
Indonesia
Association of the Indonesian Tourism Tertiary Education Institution
Malaysia
Sunway Education Group
Wisdom Woods Training Centre
Association of Tourism Attractions Penang
AME Training Academy
Thailand
Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau
Songkhla Convention and Exhibition Bureau
Vietnam
Southern Airport Services Company
The aim of the “Re-Imagining Workforce Development in the Outdoor Industry for a Sustainable Future” project was to create an Outdoor Education Innovation Hub (OEIH) to support the recovery, transformation and sustainability of the outdoor industry in Victoria through industry-lead, student-centred, and future-focussed education, training and research.
Project benefits
In-depth insight into long-standing workforce issues that are impeding future growth and development
The data can inform industry development and human resource management policy and contribute to future sustainable industry operations
Insight into diversity and inclusion considerations and be better positioned to attract a diverse workforce thereby contributing to equal employment opportunities and gender equity
Inform strategies to enhance industry standards, safety and growth potential
By raising industry and employment standards, the industry will contribute to the sustainability of the wider visitor economy.
This project was managed by the Outdoor Education Innovation Hub (OEIH) Working Group. '
The group was convened by the Outdoor Education Group (OEG) in partnership with Box Hill Institute and Victoria University, and in collaboration with the OEIH Industry Partner Group.
This group comprised of:
outdoor education companies
volunteer organisations
industry associations
government officers and education institutions
including Australian Camps Association
Bindaree Outdoors
Outdoors Victoria
YMCA.
Funded by Global Victoria, this project investigated capabilities in the sector in Indonesia in relation to skills and training needs; followed by an online webinar to support collaboration between Victorian and Indonesian education and training stakeholders.
Specifically, the Indonesia Tourism Research Project:
identified three key inter-related themes of Governance and policy implementation, industry and workforce development, and Education systems and curriculum development
recommended initiatives that will assist the recovery of the Indonesian tourism and hospitality sector, following the COVID-19 pandemic
showcased innovative technology products and services from Victoria relevant to the development needs of the Indonesian tourism and hospitality sector.
Key collaborators
Dr Cheryl Crosthwaite
Professor Dr Diena M. Lemy, School of Hospitality and Tourism, Pelita Harapan University
Belinda Rimbo, Education Services Director, Global Victoria, Victorian Government Trade and Investment – Indonesia
Results show that these events generated multiple social benefits by enhancing a sense of community, (re)connecting people, improving mental health, and promoting diversity and inclusion.
Economic benefits were generated directly by boosting local and visitor spending and indirectly through increasing business-community connectedness.
The study contributed to the limited empirical research on the value and role of small-scale events for community recovery and has managerial implications for sustainable destination development, recovery and regeneration strategies.
Displaying image1/9.Presentation at the 34th Annual Council for Australasian Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE) Conference, ‘'Towards a workforce development strategy in the outdoor industry for a sustainable future' (L-R) VU Associate Professor Joanne Pyke, Becky Knight, Dr Madelene Blaer, and Dr Ancy Gamage.
Programs & other projects
We offer customised accredited training programs designed to meeting the specific needs within the sector.
Work-ready program
VU TAFE offered free (fully subsidised) training to fast-track new workers into entry-level roles in Victoria’s rapidly recovering hospitality and tourism sectors.
Delivered in 2022 with the sector reopening with a strong workforce demand, many businesses reported they were unable to find skilled workers following an exodus of hospitality and tourism staff during COVID-forced business closures.
Delivered across 7 days, training addressed foundational knowledge and skills in food and beverage service operations. Potential employment outcomes and roles for participants include food and beverage/ function/ room attendant, bar/ café/ restaurant floor and wait staff, customer service or front office staff, porter, receptionist.
Upon completion, students were guaranteed job interviews at prestigious leading employers and partner organisations. They included:
Accor: Art Series, Ibis, Mantra, Mercure, Movenpick, Novotel, Peppers, Pullman, The Como, Sofitel, Quay West Suites
