The Pacific islands are very dependent on the tourism industry for future economic growth. They are also vulnerable to climate change induced impacts due to their reliance on good weather, vulnerable ecosystems, coastal infrastructure and long haul air travel.

CQUniversity's Senior Lecturer in Tourism, Steve Noakes, has just returned from a meeting of the Steering Committee of the Pacific Tourism - Climate Adaptation Project (PT-CAP), a recently completed three-year AusAID International Development Research Award (ADRA).

CQUniversity's Steve Noakes (centre left) with leading world researchers on sustainable tourism, tourism and climate change, and natural hazards

The research project has developed a framework for island tourism destinations to adapt to climate change.

The project was undertaken by a team of collaborative partners from the University of the South Pacific, the Centre for Tourism and Services Research at Victoria University in Melbourne, the Australia-Pacific Tsunami Research Centre and Natural Hazards Research Laboratory at the University of NSW, and the Foundation of the Peoples for the South Pacific.

Mr Noakes, whose PhD research work is in the Pacific Islands, said CQUniversity has a commitment to engaging with national and international researchers and research networks and developing industry linkages.

"Our strong industry linkages in Australia and the Pacific Asia region also help us bring practical teaching to our education approach."

CQUniversity now offers a new Bachelor of Tourism degree, developing in our graduates the knowledge and skills to enter the Australian and international tourism industry. LINK HERE for details