Industry Expo Day 2026: An Industry Professional’s Experience!

Gail from First Light Travel Group at the Industry Expo Day, 2026.

The annual ITC Industry Expo Day is one of the highlights of the year for students and tutors alike. It’s when we welcome industry professionals to campus to chat about their work, roles available, tips for young learners and a little of everything in between.

This year, the expo was held on Wednesday, October 7, and we were excited to see another great turnout from major travel and tourism companies.

One of those companies was First Light Travel Group, which offers tours all over New Zealand and the South Pacific. Gail MacSween, Organisational Development Manager for First Light, had some fantastic feedback to share about the day.

“I just wanted to say thank you for the opportunity to present at the Expo today. It was fantastic to meet you all and spend time with the students.”

“A huge congratulations to you and the team for organising such a significant event. It was incredibly well run. I thoroughly enjoyed the day and look forward to working with you all in the future”

Not only that, she also had some updates for us about ITC graduates who are now working with the company!

ITC Graduates at First Light Travel Group

Gina O’Neill
Joined us as a Travel Designer in 2022 and quickly took on additional responsibilities as a Team Leader. Gina then progressed into a Travel Design Manager role, where she supports her team to achieve their sales goals while fostering their professional growth and development. 

Tatyana Kelenc
Tatyana is one of our Travel Designers. Throughout her time with us, Tatyana has developed specialist expertise in the Northern Territory and has always had a particular passion for and interest in Tasmania. 

Meli Ganilau
Meli joined us for a one-week work experience placement in 2023 before coming on board in an entry-level role. Since then, he has gained experience across multiple areas of the business before discovering his passion for Guest Experience. He has since stepped into the role of Guest Services Manager, leading our Guest Services team and ensuring our guests receive the five-star service we are known for.

Marcella Johnston
Marcella has held several roles within the business and recently returned from a year working remotely as a Travel Designer from Sydney. She has now taken on the role of Supplier Relations Manager, ensuring our valuable supplier partnerships remain strong and well supported. 

Tahlia Cooper
Tahlia is our most recent ITC graduate and has been making a fantastic impact in our Reservations team. After joining us for a one-week work experience placement, she impressed us so much that she was offered a role almost immediately. Tahlia now looks after bookings, travel documentation, and supplier communications, playing a key role in delivering a seamless experience for our guests.

The ITC Industry Expo from a professional’s perspective

Curious about Gail, First Light Travel, and their connection with ITC, we asked a little more about the experience!

“First Light Travel and ITC have been working together for a number of years. My involvement started mid-2023 when we had our first work experience student and we haven’t looked back since!” she said.

When asked about what the goal was for First Light Travel when taking part in these days, Gail said it was to help the students.

“It’s great to help students understand that inbound is a great option and to show them what we do and why we love the industry. It doesn’t hurt to get our name out there to great potential future hires too.”

As for her favourite part about the day, it’s all in interacting with the students.

“Seeing their passion for the industry and helping them make plans for the future is so fulfilling.”

And to finish, we asked Gail what kind of skills and knowledge they’re looking for in students, and her advice for those looking to get into the industry.

“Passion is the main thing, everything else we can teach but a love for tourism and people is a must.”

When it comes to advice, “a couple of the biggest things are to get out and experience as much as they can, take a road trip, go out hiking and start building knowledge as well as starting to  make connections now, whether that is their classmates, their tutors or the presenters from the expo, you never know when a connection is going to come in handy farther down the line. Setting up a quick LinkedIn and starting to build their networks will really help.”

Study with ITC for Industry Connections

At ITC, we know exactly what Gail means when she talks about connections being so important. That’s a big part of the reason why we host the Industry Expo Day – and so many other events – throughout the year.

Between that, our work experience opportunities, our dedicated Employment Consultant, and our entire team being comprised of industry pros, we set the standard for helping our students and graduates find fulfilling work.

Contact us today to learn more about how we take our students from enrolment to graduation to industry employment!

Meet Jessica Fuiono – ITC graduate and one of AJ Hackett’s newest team members!

Jessica Fuiono discovered her love of adventure tourism through ITC – and now works for AJ Hackett!

At first, Jessica Fuiono didn’t know what she wanted to do with her career. She tried another study path elsewhere, but quickly realised it just didn’t feel right for her. That’s when she came to us at ITC, where we introduced her to some of the many pathways you can take in travel and tourism. 

All it took was jumping off the Auckland Harbour Bridge to discover her passion: adventure tourism. 

Jessica then did her work experience with AJ Hackett Auckland, but even though they loved her, they didn’t have a job for her at the time. ITC Employment Consultant Sarndra knew that Jessica was considering a move to Brisbane when an AJ Hackett job came up in Queenstown… so Sarndra sent the application link though anyway.

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Have changes to the Jobseeker benefit made you consider further study?

Thinking about more study now that it’s harder to get Jobseeker benefits? Consider ITC!

Changes to the Jobseeker benefit are coming in November of this year, which may make it harder for some 18 and 19 year olds to receive support during their job search.

That might mean that some of you are looking at other options instead – such as studying travel and tourism!

And whether you’re fresh out of high school, or are already in a career and are looking for a change, or even if you’re simply wanting to upskill in your current career, ITC could help. 

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ITC Celebrates 30 Years: Memory Lane with our Industry Partners

Roy’s most recent visit to ITC!

ITC is celebrating 30 years of being one of the most trusted providers of tourism and aviation education in New Zealand.

As part of our celebrations, we reached out to old graduates, tutors, industry partners, and others who have been part of our story… then we watched the memories roll in!

Two of the first to respond were Andrea Cameron and Roy Quispe. Both were industry partners, with Roy working with us through Disney International Programs.

“I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and recruiting many incredible ITC students and graduates over the years, helping them take their talents from New Zealand all the way to Walt Disney World!” said Roy.

Walk down memory lane with us as we share more about these two fantastic humans!

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Strong Industry Partnerships Create Incredible Student Opportunities

AJ Hackett Bungy NZ reached out to ITC looking for 3–4 students to feature in an upcoming SkyWalk promotional photo shoot at the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

At International Travel College of New Zealand (ITC), we believe the best learning happens when students experience the industry firsthand. That’s why we work hard to build genuine relationships with some of New Zealand’s leading tourism and adventure operators.

One partnership we’re incredibly proud of is with AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand (AJHBNZ).

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Meet our new Student Services Team Member: Leilani Leith!

Leilani is recently back from a Disney Exchange overseas, and is now our newest Student Services team member!

Sometimes, new team members feel like they’re just meant to be part of the whanau.

That’s certainly the case with Leilani Leith, our newest Student Services team member. She joins us to replace Leilah Va, who has just left to begin her Disney Exchange. Making this hire even more impressive is the fact that Leilani has just returned from her Disney Exchange!

Of course we wanted to learn a little more about Leilani’s background, her travels, and her advice for anyone considering a career in tourism or aviation! (more…)

Why Learning from Industry Experts Makes All the Difference

We think we have the best team in the world!

When you’re choosing where to study, it’s standard to compare courses, qualifications and campuses. But there’s one thing that can completely transform your learning experience: The people teaching you.

At ITC, we believe the best education comes from people who have actually lived it.

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Dream of Working on a Superyacht? Here’s Why ITC Could Be Your Perfect Starting Point

Dreaming of sailing the world working on a superyacht? ITC could be your starting point!

Imagine waking up in the Mediterranean, serving guests in the Caribbean, exploring remote islands in the South Pacific, or spending your days aboard some of the world’s most luxurious superyachts.

Popular TV shows like Below Deck have made this career path even more enticing than it already was, especially for young Kiwis who are eager to explore the world and meet people from around the globe.

While you will need a couple of specialist qualifications to work on a superyacht, any career in travel and tourism can begin with the key information and skills that you will learn right here at ITC.

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Where Can an ITC Qualification Take You?

One of the questions we’re asked most often is, “Where do your graduates end up working?”

The answer is exciting… and incredibly diverse.

Every year, ITC graduates step into roles across New Zealand and around the world, building careers in airlines, airports, travel companies, hotels, attractions, events, cruise operations and international tourism.

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Meet Sisilia Vea Moala: The Student Who Found Her True Passion in Travel & Tourism!

“Studying at ITC gave me confidence, direction, and real opportunities,” says Sisilia Vea Moala.

“Studying at ITC gave me confidence, direction, and real opportunities.” 

Sisilia is an inspiring young ITC student who completed high school in Tonga before moving to New Zealand. Here, she first enrolled in a business course – but quickly realised it wasn’t quite the right fit for her.

Then one day, she saw an ITC clip on TikTok, and “something clicked”. The rest – as they say – is history!

Read on to learn a little more about Sisilia’s fantastic story so far!

Can you tell us a little about yourself and your story up until now?

My name is Sisilia Vea Moala, and I am an 18‑year‑old student originally from Tonga. I moved to New Zealand in 2024 after completing high school, motivated to build a strong future for myself. I first enrolled in a Business course but soon realised my true passion was Travel & Tourism. That decision led me to the International Travel College (ITC) . A choice that shaped my confidence, skills, and career direction. 

Why did you decide to get into travel & tourism?

I have always loved meeting new people, learning about different cultures, and exploring the world. When I discovered the Travel & Tourism programme on TikTok, something clicked. I felt excited and ready to begin my journey toward becoming a flight attendant. 

Why ITC was the right fit for you?

Vanessa welcomed me warmly during enrolment and explained everything clearly. ITC stood out for its friendly environment, practical learning style, and strong industry connections. I felt an immediate sense of belonging. 

What was your learning experience like at ITC?

Studying Travel & Tourism has been exciting and rewarding. I enjoy learning about global destinations, cultural diversity, and how the tourism industry operates. One highlight was mastering airport codes and the New Zealand map, a proud moment of progress. 

How did you find the support from tutors and staff?

The tutors at ITC are patient, approachable, and always willing to help. Their encouragement has helped me grow academically and personally. The learning environment is positive and supportive.

What kind of industry experiences and opportunities did you get at ITC?

I participated in industry visits to hotels, travel agencies, and tourism attractions. I also enjoyed activities like bungy jumping and bridge climbing, which gave me insight into adventure tourism. 

A major milestone was being handpicked for a work‑experience placement at Sudima Hotel, where I completed a full week of training and was offered a job. To work as a part time job. 

What did you value most about ITC?

I value the supportive tutors, welcoming atmosphere, and practical learning that ITC provides. Every experience from classroom learning to industry trips has helped me build confidence and prepare for a successful future. 

What’s your advice for future students?

If you are unsure about your course or career path, give yourself time and trust the process. Ask questions, seek support, and stay open to new opportunities. With the right guidance and effort, you will discover where you belong. 

What’s next for you?

Over the next twelve months, I am committed to continuing my personal and professional growth within the tourism and hospitality industry. My focus is on strengthening the skills I have developed throughout my studies, completing my qualification to a high standard, and gaining even more hands-on experience that will prepare me for future opportunities.

I will continue working at Sudima Hotel, where I aim to build my confidence, expand my industry knowledge, and contribute positively to the team. Every step I take is aligned with my long‑term goal of becoming a flight attendant, and I am determined to stay disciplined, motivated, and open to new learning experiences. I look forward to the challenge and achievements ahead as I work toward a successful and rewarding career in the travel industry. 

Malo‘Aupito, Tu’a‘ofa atu a

Ready to make the switch to travel and tourism?

Not all ITC students begin their careers in travel and tourism. Some, like Sisilia, study something else first. Some work in different fields, or take time away to have families. If that sounds like you, just remember that it’s never too late to switch to a career you’re passionate about!

We’re enrolling now for our New Zealand Certificate in Tourism with a strand in Tourism and Travel Level 3, which gets started on July 20 at our Whangarei Campus, and on July 27 at our Auckland City Campus. Or, launch into Level 4 with our New Zealand Certificate in Travel, which is kicking off on July 20 at both our Auckland City Campus and South Auckland Campus.

And of course, there’s always the option to Study From Home if you’re based elsewhere in New Zealand, or if you want to only study part time so you can continue work!

Contact us here with any questions – we’d love to hear from you!