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Students Go a “Waltzing Matilda”—A Regional Tourism Knowledge Exchange Through Innovative Internships

ABSTRACT Recent academic trends are requiring tourism educators to redefine their practice. Students are demanding vocational outcomes, and the market is demanding industry-ready graduates. This article reports on an innovative response to these new directions, outlining the conceptualization, objectives, delivery, outcomes, lessons learned, and future of a Tourism Regional Internship Project (TRIP). The initial pilot was a joint initiative of the University of Queensland School of Tourism (UQST) and the Roma-Miles Tourism Development Unit (RMTDU). The design and development of the project was built on existing theories that frame student internships, industry partnerships, and knowledge exchange, with the addition of new and creative industry collaboration and student to industry exchange. The five objectives of this Australian-based project were to foster partnerships, generate knowledge exchange, support workforce development, maximize marketing opportunities, and develop a research agenda. The success of the pilot has resulted in funding for a future wider project rollout. This article illustrates how other educationalists may use this innovative tourism regional internship model in their own areas as part of their response to the changing climate of tourism education.