AUSTRALIAN Regional Tourism (ART) has today launched a new program aiming to attract, retain and mentor young people into the regional tourism sector.
The Emerging Tourism Professionals (ETP) program will help address the country’s acute tourism skills shortage, according to ART chairman Simon McArthur.
Members of the organisation include 124 local government associations, regional and state tourism organisations, visitor information centres, regional tourism operators & consultants.
The new scheme is open to tourism professionals aged 30 and under working in the tourism industry in regional Australia or in a role that primarily focuses on regional tourism.
Winners will receive an internship with a major tourism organisation as well as $2,500 to spend on professional development.
There are two segments on offer: a Tourism Australia Regional Scholarship which is open to private sector staff, and the Roadtrippers Scholarship which is open to those working in the public sector.
“The financial backing of such major players in regional tourism demonstrates that the ETP is being taken seriously and should be seriously contemplated by our young tourism professionals,” McArthur said.
Applications close on 14 Sep – see regionaltourism.com.au.
Source: traveldaily