Why study tourism at UQ?

Is UQ the best place to study tourism, hospitality and event management? These 2 international students from India certainly think so.

Manomay Chaskar and Ayushi Tyagi travelled from India to Australia to study a Master of Tourism, Hotel and Event Management at one of the world’s top business schools. In addition to ranking highly internationally, UQ’s tourism degrees are accredited by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), which promotes responsible, sustainable and universally accessible practices.

As the host of the 2032 Olympic Games, there’s never been a more exciting time to live and study in Brisbane.  More importantly, it's an amazing time to start a successful career in the tourism, hospitality and events industry here.

Why did you choose to study tourism at UQ?

Manomay: My interests in customer service and hospitality were why I started the program. I decided to study this master’s program at UQ because Australia has a huge focus on domestic and international tourism, and I learned UQ provides the best international degree for tourism studies.

The UQ tourism degree is different to similar degrees offered in India because it focuses more on management. One of the best things about studying in Brisbane is that it’s near different wildlife parks you can enjoy in your time off.

Ayushi: My interests in customer service and hospitality were why I started the program. I decided to study this master’s program at UQ because Australia has a huge focus on domestic and international tourism, and I learned UQ provides the best international degree for tourism studies.

The UQ tourism degree is different to similar degrees offered in India because it focuses more on management. One of the best things about studying in Brisbane is that it’s near different wildlife parks you can enjoy in your time off.

What do you like most about studying this tourism degree?

Manomay: The best part about the Master of Tourism, Hotel and Event Management is that you can study different courses you’re interested in. This meant I could pursue a research pathway even though I’m not enrolled in a research degree.

The lecturers at UQ are approachable and helpful. You can have a consultation with them at any time and they’re more than happy to answer your questions.

Ayushi: I like that there’s a lot of support available. I felt this even before I was a student, throughout the enrolment process. Senior students in the BEL Buddies program offer mentoring, and the teachers are amazing; it’s easy to talk to them.

The best thing about the program is the many networking opportunities to meet people working in the industry.

How has your time at UQ and the Master of Tourism, Hotel and Event Management prepared you to achieve your career goals?

Ayushi: My ultimate goal is to start my own sustainable events business in India, so studying this program has benefitted me greatly. Sustainability is deeply embedded in each course in this program, and I now understand the practical side of events, not just the theory.

I gained work experience through an internship, where I helped organise and create a corporate event. I learned a lot from this experience that I was able to incorporate and utilise throughout the program.

I feel like I’ll have a lot of opportunities after my graduation and be able to stand out and achieve managerial-level roles back home, because that’s what this program focuses on.

Manomay: Studying a master’s tourism degree helped me change my pathway. When I started at UQ, I learned about the University’s focus on research. After experiencing the way of teaching and delivering assessment at UQ, I felt motivated to pursue an academic career instead of going into industry.

Now, my goal is to become a tutor, lecturer and academic professional in the tourism field. I discovered that my area of interest is in wildlife. I’m particularly interested in topics including koalas, greenwashing and donation behaviour of tourists.

As part of my studies, I joined the Tourism, Hospitality and Events Society. As a volunteer member, I learned how to plan, organise and manage hotel and tourism networking events efficiently. I also went to a lot of the networking nights where I made many connections. Through that, I got an opportunity to volunteer for the Queensland Tourism Awards as a student judge.

I’m currently working in the front office at a hotel, as a lecturer and as a tutor. My studies have also given me the skills and confidence to feel prepared to work in a management role.

What advice would you give other international students coming to study in Australia?

Ayushi: There are a lot of support resources that can guide you through your time here. UQ makes sure that you have everything you need, so if you need help, all you have to do is ask.

Manomay: My first tip for other students is to join different clubs and societies and volunteer. These opportunities help you get the best out of your degree and help you grow professionally.

My second tip is to push your comfort zone and make new friends, because then you’ll have people to try new things with and it will help you feel like you belong.