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Griffith University will lead and shape the Australian tourism landscape into the future through “vital” research conducted under the banner of its all-new Griffith Institute for Tourism (GIFT). Unveiled on Thursday 27 March at Griffith’s Gold Coast campus by Queensland Tourism and Major Events Minister Jann Stuckey, GIFT will have relevance and outcomes effective at both academic and industry levels. “The importance of tourism to the national economy can never be understated and it’s extremely satisfying to see a Queensland institution become a vital conduit between government, industry and marketing organisations within the sector,” Minister Stuckey said. “As an international knowledge provider, the Griffith Institute for Tourism is well positioned to bring about positive, sustainable change within an industry worth more than $22 billion to the Queensland economy.”  Inaugural Director of GIFT, Professor Susanne Becken, will lead a research team with a dedicated focus on sustainable tourism. “The Griffith Institute for Tourism is engaged with local, national and international industry organisations, academic institutions and other organisations which share our commitment to making a difference for a sustainable tourism sector,” she said. Established to undertake and disseminate world-leading research in tourism, GIFT is also making major operational headway. Strategic alignments are being formed with United Nations World Tourism Organisations, plus a memorandum of understanding is already at an advanced stage with Gold Coast City Council, Gold Coast Tourism, as well as international tourism and environmental management and advisory group, EC3 Global. The charter of GIFT’s strategic purpose will be determined by an advisory board chaired by tourism industry heavyweight and Griffith University lecturer, Don Morris AO.
Photo credit: Chancellor, Leneen Forde AC (left), Vice Chancellor, Professor Ian O'Connor and Minister for Tourism, Jann Stuckey MP at the launch of the Griffith Institute for Tourism.
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