Flora, fauna, fun and learning for TAFE tourism students!
05 May 2003
The next generation of tourism industry entrepreneurs will this week tour the Ararat and Grampians regions to learn about best practice in eco-tourism.
Advanced Diploma of Tourism Management students from Kangan Batman TAFE’s Broadmeadows campus will spend three days (6-8 May) touring the district and meeting with successful eco-tourism business operators.
The students will visit tourist attractions such as the Gum San Museum and various other landmarks in Ararat, the Grampians National Park, the Dunkeld Historical Museum, The Gap Winery, and the Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre.
The group will learn about the latest in environmentally-friendly accommodation by staying at the Grampians YHA Eco-Hostel and visiting the Aquila Mt Abrupt Eco Lodges, both of which feature solar power and state-of-the-art energy and water conservation processes.
“We are greatly indebted to the local tourism operators who are giving of their time to speak to our students and share their knowledge and experiences in the industry,” says Kangan Batman TAFE Travel & Tourism Teacher, Pauline Porcaro.
The study tour is part of the students’ research in preparation to enter the annual Tourism Student Business Initiative, a state-wide competition which requires tertiary students to develop business plans for viable tourism businesses.
Kangan Batman TAFE conducts the Grampians tour each year to prepare its students for the competition.
The combination of experiencing eco-tourism first-hand, and meeting with tourism operators has proven highly successful, with previous Kangan Batman TAFE students scooping the competition prize pool each year since 1999. First prize in the competition is an $8,000 study tour, which two teams of Kangan Batman TAFE students have won, in 1999 and 2000. Last year, Kangan Batman TAFE students took 2nd, 3rd and 4th of the competition’s six prizes.
Kangan Batman TAFE is a multi-discipline TAFE institute with 24,000 students across its five main campuses in Broadmeadows, Richmond, Moreland, Essendon and Coburg.
Kangan Batman TAFE was named Training Provider of the Year in the 2001 Victorian Training Awards, and was a finalist in the 2001 Australian Business Excellence Awards.
Photo opportunities during the Eco Study Tour
Tuesday 6 May 2003
| 9am | Kangan Batman TAFE Broadmeadows campus carpark, Pearcedale Parade, Broadmeadows | Bus departs(Registration etc 8.45am) |
| 1.30pm - 3.30pm | Gum San Museum ( www.gumsan.com.au) and various attractions of the town of Ararat | Visit to museum and guided tour of Ararat |
| 4-5.30pm | Grampians YHA Eco-Hostel, Corner Buckler Street and Grampians Road, Halls Gap, Telephone: (03) 5356 4544 | Check-in at accommodation, and presentation on features of the eco-hostel by Manager Gilbert Brooks |
Wednesday 7 May 2003
| 10am | Mckenzie Falls | Walk |
| 1.00-3.45pm |
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| 4.45pm | The Gap Winery, Halls Gap | Visit and tastings. |
| 5.30-7.30pm | Spotlight Tour of Grampians National Park | Guided Spotlight Tour with Noel Nicholls of Grampians Bushwalking Company |
Thursday 8 May 2003
| 10am | Grampians YHA Eco-Hostel | Talk by eco tourism operator, Noel Nicholls of Grampians Bushwalking Company (03) 5356 4652 |
| 11am-12noon | Grampians National Park |
Eco walk with Grampians Bushwalking Company |
| 12.30-2.30pm | Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Halls Gap, Telephone 03 5356 4452, www.brambuk.com.au | Presentation and boomerang throwing |
| 6.00pm | Kangan Batman TAFE Broadmeadows campus | Approximate arrival back in Melbourne |
