Australia's Number 1 Tourism Research University
Griffith University is Australia’s leading tourism university and is ranked No.1 in Australia and No.6 in the world in the most recent Shanghai Ranking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.
Griffith Institute for Tourism (GIFT) is Australia’s largest tourism research institute with over 130 academic, adjunct and PhD members from tourism and tourism-related disciplines, such as technology, economics, architecture, planning and environmental sciences.
Our research is structured around four interconnected clusters that address critical challenges and opportunities in the sector:
- Climate change action
- Events and sports management
- Resilient and sustainable tourism
- Visitor and economy data
Sustainable Development Goals
Griffith University is aligned with the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and committed to creating sustainable cities and communities and tackling global challenges around climate action, life below water, and life on land.
Leading tourism experts
We bring together research staff across a broad range of specialty areas including planning, marketing, property and investment, technology, architecture, economics, climate change and more.
Our Advisory Board provides strategic advice to the Institute regarding research activities, strategic direction, ways to forge partnerships in the tourism sector and improve its links with industry and government.
Research
We aim to undertake and disseminate groundbreaking research in tourism to effect academic and external impact. Our research strives to connect to specialist knowledge and expertise to drive innovation in the tourism sector.
Accordingly, our research programs and strategic partnerships are designed to ensure high industry and policy relevance, while producing innovative, quality research.
Services
We provide innovative solutions for sustainable tourism, offering consultancy services to businesses, destinations, and communities. Our expertise spans practical research, big data management, and sustainable planning in the face of climate change. With a strong network in the industry and with regulators, our timely advice considers economic, social, and environmental impacts for successful and sustainable projects.
If you’d like find out more about our services, please contact us.
Tourism planning
We collaborate with tourism planners to deliver Master Plans and policy evaluations focused on sustainability, avoiding quick fixes by understanding long-term challenges and opportunities at destinations.
Economic modelling
Our passionate economic modelling team uses econometrics, forecasting, and CGE techniques to analyse complex realities, support informed decision-making, and predict future outcomes across diverse sectors.
Data mining
Our researchers access global databases and draw on Griffith’s Big Data Lab to analyse large datasets, producing tailored, cutting-edge tourism intelligence through advanced statistical techniques.
Market research
We conduct independent tourism market research using surveys, interviews, focus groups, and innovative tools like eye tracking, biophysical stimulus analysis, and social media mining to uncover deep consumer insights.
Risk and vulnerability assessment
We assess climate and disaster-related vulnerabilities in Asia-Pacific tourism communities, leveraging two decades of interdisciplinary research to help businesses and destinations future-proof their operations.
Training
We provide tailored training for Australian and international tourism professionals, drawing on academic and practical expertise in economics, finance, IT, planning, and tourism research to meet specific industry needs.
Bespoke advice
We support small tourism businesses in emerging markets, especially China, through innovative, participatory research approaches like action research and qualitative techniques to develop unique tourism products.
Partnerships
Working with organisations at the state and federal level, as well as building partnerships with businesses and not-for-profit organisations are of great importance to the research undertaken at Griffith Institute For Tourism. Engagement ranges from joint research projects to outreach activities and media events, and research targeted at specific tourism regions in Australia.
- Beijing International Studies University, CN
- Beijing Union University and the editorial team of Tourism Tribune, CN
- China Tourism Academy, CN
- Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, CN
- Hong Kong Polytechnic University, HK
- Hunan Normal University, CN
- Institute of Policy Studies, Colombo, SL
- Jiao tong University, CN
- Lincoln University, NZ
- Qatar University, QT
- Queensland University of Technology, AU
- Shanghai Normal University, CN
- University of Hawai’i, US
- University of Queensland, AU
- University of Southern Denmark, DM
- University of Surrey, UK
- University of Waterloo, CA
- Australian Rivers Institute
- Cities Research Institute
- Environmental Futures Institute
- Griffith Climate Change Response Program
- Griffith Film School
- School of Information Communication Technology
- Smart Water Research Centre
- Griffith Tourism Confucius Institute
- Griffith Asia Institute
- Global Trade Policy Analysis Project network
- Pacific Asia Travel Association
- United Nations World Tourism Organisation
- World Travel and Tourism Council
- Air New Zealand
- Amadeus IT Group
- Chrystal Creek Meadows
- City of Gold Coast
- City of Sydney
- EarthCheck
- Murweh Shire Council
- Get Wet Surf, Gold Coast
- Gold Coast Tourism
- Queensland Airports Ltd
- Queensland Tourism Industry Council
- Riverlife
- Star Entertainment Group
- Study Gold Coast
- Sustainable Destination Partnership
- Surfers Paradise Alliance
- Tourism Australia
- Tourism Events Queensland
- Tourism Research Australia
- Yugambeh Museum
Tourism News
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PhD opportunities in climate action and tourism
Are you passionate about advancing climate action in the context of tourism?
Join a vibrant and interdisciplinary research community at the Griffith Institute for Tourism (GIFT), where we are committed to shaping more equitable, sustainable, and resilient tourism futures. Our academic team includes experienced supervisors with diverse expertise in climate justice, sustainability science, tourism governance, conservation, and environmental change. The Institute offers a dynamic PhD program with strong peer support, research training, and access to national and international networks. We encourage interdisciplinary and impact-oriented research that contributes to both academic knowledge and real-world transformation.