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Australia’s regional tourism industry has a new national award and development program, financially backed by industry and government. https://www.centarahotelsresorts.com/cosihotels/?utm_source=e-global&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=cosi-firstlaunch&fbtrack=CUST-cosi-firstlaunch-e-global-bannerThe national body for regional tourism, Australian Regional Tourism (ART) today launched the Emerging Tourism Professionals program (ETP). The Chair of ART, Simon McArthur said, “The ETP is designed to help attract, retain and mentor young people into regional tourism, in order to help address Australia’s acute skills shortage”.

ETP 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. Applicants can apply as part of the private sector or as part of a government role. Winners will receive an internship with a major tourism organisation and $2,500 to spend on their professional development.

The ETP program will be run by Australian Regional tourism, but has financial backing from major tourism players, including Tourism Australia and Roadtrippers. The two financially backed awards are:

  1. Tourism Australia Regional Scholarship (opened to private sector tourism professionals)
  2. Roadtrippers Scholarship (opened to public sector tourism professionals)

“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 professionals” said Simon McArthur, Chair of Australian Regional Tourism.

“We are pleased to be a partner with this program and think it’s an important initiative to develop our industry” said Leigh Sorenson, General Manager, Industry Relations at Tourism Australia.

“There’s nothing like fresh thinking to keep any industry growing and innovating,” says Paul Shale, CEO of Roadtrippers. “We’re excited to work with ART, alongside Tourism Australia, to help mentor tomorrow’s tourism leaders and see new ideas emerge. Although young in Australia, Roadtrippers is an experienced travel brand internationally, and we have discovered that the more the industry keeps up with travellers’ changing needs, the better it is for everyone. We look forward to seeing how our team, and tech, can help these young leaders along the way.”