Building on Griffith's expertise, partnerships and research performance in tourism
The Griffith Institute for Tourism (GIFT) aims 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. Our research enhances links between businesses, government bodies and other research entities to solve current industry needs, and to maximise sustainability and resilience in the tourism sector.
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.
Specialist areas
Tourism and hospitality workforce
We are committed to building a sustainable workforce in tourism, hospitality, and frontline services. Our focus includes youth employment, career development, well-being, and talent management. Partnering with government, industry, and community stakeholders, we design policies and practices that support workforce resilience. Recent projects include workforce system design and contributions to the National Youth Commission Australia.
First Nations tourism
First Nations tourism in Queensland is well positioned to benefit as momentum builds for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games. Now is the time to embrace the economic value and cultural significance of Indigenous tourism (NITAG, 2020:1), as its profile strengthens nationally and globally. With diverse experiences showcasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, Queensland’s First Nations tourism offers unique selling points for international audiences.
Accessible tourism
Our researchers are interested in partnering with people with lived experience to uncover and transform environments, systems, and services that disadvantage people with a disability. In earlier work in this specialist area, we partnered with people with disabilities to understand both positive and negative experiences. In the Year of Accessible Tourism, we look forward to partnering with citizens, advocacy groups, government, and industry to develop and implement solutions that promote sustainable, positive experiences.
GIFT Biosensor Lab
In 2023, GIFT upgraded its biosensor lab, comprising revolutionary technology that uses human behaviour metrics to gather tourism data, including virtual reality eye-tracking, screen-based eye-tracking, mobile eye-tracking glasses, facial expression analysis, and skin conductance. The lab features excellent tools to leverage the insights offered by eye tracking and facial expression analysis while maintaining high mobility and flexibility.
Research highlights
Greening hotels
Major event strategy for the Gold Coast
(PDF 3.7MB)
Pacific islands
Bushfire stories
Aviation reimagined webinar series
Regional tourism research
Climate justice and tourism
Tourism mobility as a service
Low carbon transport transitions
Successful and resilient major events
Developing a national rural volunteering roadmap
Sustainable tourism in developing countries
(PDF 9.4MB)
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.
We provide evidence-based insights that inform policy, guide sustainable development, and support innovation across the tourism sector.
Reports and publications
Our researchers author, edit and contribute to a range of academic books, journal articles and industry reports related to varying aspects of Tourism such as Sustainability, Events, Economic Modelling and Visitor Experience. Recent publications are included below and provide further insight into our world class research.
Research published in A* journals include: Annals of Tourism Research, Journal of Business Venturing, Tourism Management and Journal of Travel Research.
A full list of our academic publications can be found at:
Research reports
Industry reports
Austrade data project with Vietnam National Authority of Tourism
This report is a key deliverable of the Joint Data Project under the Strengthening Australia – Vietnam Tourism Cooperation (SAVTC). This project is led by Austrade in cooperation with the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism and funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in support of the Australia Vietnam Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy.
Sustainable Tourism after COVID-19—Insights and recommendations for Asia and the Pacific
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has wrought unprecedented devastation on tourism in Asia and the Pacific. This report examines trends, dynamics, vulnerabilities, and opportunities associated with tourism development and how the sector has been impacted by COVID-19. Professor Susanne Becken and Dr Johanna Loehr led the drafting of the report including research, analysis, and stakeholder consultations.