VU paves the way in providing for the visitor economy

Melbourne’s tourism and hospitality sectors are booming and the need for qualified workers has never been higher.

Victoria University has a long history of producing highly-qualified graduates in tourism and destination management. In addition to VU delivering business degrees, the University’s TAFE division, VU Polytechnic operates an award-winning 150-seat training restaurant where hospitality students practise their skills in a live environment.

Key industry partnerships and work-integrated-learning (WIL) opportunities, ensure job placements for VU graduates are high.

VU alumnus Trevor Simmons completed a Bachelor of Business (International Hospitality Management) and is now CEO of Industry Beans. He says:

“The key for me was a good education, tied in with plenty of practical industry experience, and finding the best way to integrate the two. I definitely attribute my success to building my professional knowledge through experience in the hospitality industry and the tools Victoria University gave me.”

VU alumnus and 2017 Tourism Management Award recipient Vanessa Bugeja says:

“During the year I learnt so much about the tourism industry and connected with many tour operators on a day-to-day basis, selling tours right around the country. The WIL program is a proven method for a successful immersion from university life to becoming a confident and capable professional.”

Melbourne was voted the world’s most liveable city for seven years in a row, until 2017. Our city has some of the best tourism hotspots and fine dining experiences in the world, and more and more people want to visit.

With the visitor economy increasing, tourism and hospitality industries are growing, along with the demand for qualified graduates. Victoria University has foreseen this demand and the importance of an expanded focus on educating professionals for this sector.

We are proud to announce VU’s new School for the Visitor Economy. This new revolutionary cross-university school will encompass all levels of qualification from pre-vocational certificates through to PhDs.