Latest News & Blog Posts

When you think of careers within the tourism industry, you might think of a tour guide, hotel staff, or cabin crew, but did you know that there are also vital roles in data analysis and research? George Kopelis is a Yield Manager at Intrepid Travel in the revenue management team, and a day for him…

Ronae Jennings has found herself in many sectors of the tourism industry in Australia over the years. She started in hospitality in bar, gaming and TAB work then moved to a blackjack dealer at Crown Casino, had a stint in a contact centre for Qantas Holidays along with a slew of other roles representing the…

Zipporah (Zippi) Bryan is someone who you could throw into almost any role within a hotel and she would ace it. Naturally, that means she is now the Hotel Manager at Punthill Essendon North. Nominated for Hotel Manager of the Year and taking out Hotel and Super Host of the Year at the 2022 company-wide…

Jess Horton is the General Manager for Go West Tours, a business that operates all across Victoria. Jess has grown with Go West Tours over the past eight years and is continuously striving to be a better leader for her team. When we sat down with her to chat about her experiences, it became clear…

Freelancing is a dream that many people have. Being able to work for yourself, on your own terms to suit your needs is something creatives dream of, and Amy Gardner has made it a reality.  Amy is a freelance tourism communications consultant, and she tells us that her days rarely look the same, dabbling in…

As a key contributor to the Australian economy, the tourism industry can bring immense value to communities and be a catalyst to development. Madeleine Sawyer from Tourism Midwest Victoria understands the balancing act that needs to take place between visitors and residents to create meaningful experiences for everyone involved.  “I think more and more we’re…

We were all there to witness the world shut down when the pandemic hit, and we know too well how the closing borders, radius restrictions, and overall widespread panic brought the tourism industry to a halt. Ashley Woodrow, the Marketing & Tourism Coordinator at Puffing Billy Railway, sat down with us to discuss the changes…

Have you ever considered relocating for your job? Whether you’re looking for work in the tourism industry or searching for your next travel opportunity, there are boundless benefits to moving outside your comfort zone and relocating. As Lauren Cowie,  Digital Marketing Specialist at Alba Thermal Springs & Spa, has shown us through her various and…

As with most industries, the tourism industry and its neighbouring hospitality and event industries still have a long way to go in ensuring diversity and inclusion for its employees. As Vivian Lyngdoh, the Business Development Manager at Rydges Hotel in Melbourne, explains to us: “There’s this occupational segregation across various industries that happens where there’s…

It may feel like you now need a bachelor’s degree or at least some short courses under your belt before attempting to enter the tourism industry. But as Hop It founder Jon Lee has shown us during his 15-year career so far, you likely already have many strengths and skills that are highly transferable throughout…

Cauthe (pronounced core-thee OR cow-thee depending on where you’re from) brings together professional and student researchers to discuss the latest issues and challenges related to the tourism, hospitality, and events industries. Cauthe stands for the Council for Australasian Tourism and Hospitality Education and is the largest and most prestigious academic conference for hospitality, tourism, and events in…

For the last few years, we’ve been working hard to bring cutting-edge professional development experiences to Young People in Victorian tourism, events and hospitality. Today, we are so thrilled to announce that Expressions of Interest to the 2024 Launchpad program are now open! YTN Launchpad Program 2024 As you know, at Young Tourism Network (YTN)…

Empowering Victoria’s Tourism Sector: Young Tourism Network Partners with the Victorian Government We are pleased to share a milestone at YTN that underscores our commitment to fostering positive change in Victoria’s tourism industry. We’ve joined forces with the Victorian Government to play a pivotal role in the Worker Attraction and Skills Initiatives for Tourism (WASIT)…

As Victoria’s leading organisation representing young voices in tourism, the Young Tourism Network (YTN) places a strong emphasis on advocacy as a core aspect of our mission. We are dedicated to championing a tourism, events, and hospitality industry that resonates with the values of young people. YTN’s Advocacy Journey to Date (June 2023): 2019 -…

By Lexi Connors – 2023 YTN Committee member In March this year, Regeneration Projects and the Young Tourism Network (YTN) united again to host Anna Pollock, an international pioneer of regenerative tourism. With over forty years experience, Pollock is a researcher, strategist and consultant who calls for a transformation of the tourism and hospitality industries.…

By Emanuel Limbongan – 2023 YTN Committee member One thing I loved about the 2023 VTIC Vision Summit is the way this summit provides a vision not only for the years ahead but also reflects on our resilience in the years that have passed (I mean, the food was good as well). It all starts…

The 2022 Workplaces Report is out! This research calls for decision-makers to embrace young people’s perspectives in shaping Victoria’s tourism future. Overview Ever since the release of the 2021 Young People in Tourism report, we felt that we couldn’t just comply with the status quo of how Young People engage in the Visitor Economy and…

We’re kickstarting a new wave of research! Ever since we released the 2021 Young Voices in Tourism report we’ve been on a journey. At a pivotal moment in history, it helped to spotlight and elevate the perceptions of young people towards careers in tourism, events and hospitality. Frustrations, anxiety and hopes were all shared. 🫱🏾‍🫲🏼…

🥁 Drumroll please…we are so thrilled to announce that our latest program ‘Launchpad’ is now open for expressions of interest! Ever since we released the 2021 Young Voices in Tourism report we’ve been on a journey. At a pivotal moment in history, it helped to spotlight and elevate the perceptions of young people towards careers…

Young people in tourism have experienced a rapid loss of confidence, hope, and engagement as a result of the pandemic. This is why a few months ago, the YTN Committee embarked in a new journey focusing on well-being. Young people are key to the ongoing success and resilience of tourism businesses and this project aims…