Advanced Diploma of Tourism

Admission requirements

You are eligible if:

* you have successfully completed the Australian year 12 or equivalent in your country
* you have achieved a minimum of either:

- IELTS 5.5 academic (no band score less than 5.0) or
- TOEFL paper based 530 (minimum TWE 3.5) or
- TOEFL computer based 197 (minimum TWE 3.5) or
- TOEFL internet based 71 (minimum 17 in all sections).

Intake

February

Books and equipment (AUD)

Included in course fee - students will be provided with course learning material, Qantas fares program, Galileo program and Certificates - Visitor Information Services and Tourism Summit.

Study pathways

On completion of the Advanced Diploma, graduates may continue their study in:

* Bachelor of Business (Tourism and Hospitality) or a Bachelor of Business (Tourism Management) or a Bachelor of Business (Sports and leisure) at la Trobe University.

Career pathways

On completion of the Advanced Diploma, graduates may seek employment as:

* Operations manager
* Business development manager
* Reservations/sales manager
* Marketing manager
* Owner/operator travel agency
* Travel agency manager.

Course structure

This course will provide you with the required skills and knowledge to become an important part of the growing and vibrant tourism industry. The Advanced Diploma will qualify you to be competent as a senior supervisor/manager in the tourism industry or to open your own tourism business. The strategic management skills are underpinned by a range of tourism industry operational units. Graduates will be able to analyse, design and execute judgments using wide-ranging technical, creative, or managerial competencies.

Important practical skills and knowledge will be developed through units that include specific marketing skills and business operations skills, staff supervision, safety and security, financial management, business planning, travel agency operations, visitor services information, meetings and events, QAnTAS fares and ticketing Galileo airline reservation system and computer skills. Skills in the retail travel sector, meeting and events and visitor information sectors are covered in the first year of the course, while the second year concentrates on management skills.

During the first year of your study you will be expected to participate in a coursework practical placement program, which will give you valuable experience in a real tourism working environment.

In the second year of the course, students will be concentrating on developing their own business, through the Melbourne Airport Developing Tourism leaders Awards, as part of a large cross-curriculum project. The awards are an employment development exercise for final year students to develop innovative small business ideas. Business plans are judged by a panel of industry representatives on the feasibility of the business, product innovation and knowledge of the tourism industry.

The Advanced Diploma consists of 47 units and contains the Certificate IV in Tourism (069182G). In a typical week students will attend classes approximately four days per week with approximately 40 percent practical and 60 percent theory classes. Classes will be scheduled between 8.30am and 5.30pm, Monday to Friday.

The teaching methods used include classroom-based teaching, lectures, practical work, computer- based learning, demonstration
and research. The assessment methods include tests, assignments, class presentations, practical demonstration of skills, field trips, role play and examinations.

Units

Develop and update tourism industry knowledge
Work with colleagues and customers
Work in a socially diverse environment
Source and provide Australian destination information and advice
Sell tourism products and services
Access and interpret product information
Prepare quotations
Book and coordinate supplier services
Process travel-related documentation
Construct normal international airfares
Coordinate and operate a tour
Perform office procedures
Write business documents
Use business technology
Produce business documents
Follow health, safety and security procedures
Process and monitor event registrations
Coordinate on-site event registrations
Source and provide international destination information and advice
Construct promotional international airfares
Make presentations
Establish and conduct business relationships
Coordinate production of brochures and marketing
Coordinate marketing activities
Control reservations or operations using a computerised system
Interpret financial information
Manage quality customer service
Deal with conflict situations
Lead and manage people
Manage workplace diversity
Monitor work operations
Manage finances within a budget
Prepare and monitor budgets
Implement and monitor workplace health, safety and security practices
Establish and maintain a health, safety and security system
Develop and update legal knowledge required for business compliance