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!

Experts predict gap between tourism demand and available tourism workers

With New Zealand’s ongoing tourism boom, experts are predicting a shortage of skilled workers to keep up with the demand.

New Zealand’s tourism is absolutely booming. We’ve seen nothing but constant positive news stories about how much tourists are spending in New Zealand, rising visitor numbers, and more and more international conferences being held here.

It’s no wonder that now, experts are predicting that we simply won’t have enough workers in the tourism and travel industry to accommodate all of these visitors.

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5 statistics that will make you want to study travel and tourism!

Our Airport Training Centre is just one of the many perks of studying at ITC!

Every year, the Ministry of Business, Innovation, & Employment releases their annual Tourism Sentiment Survey. This survey offers an insight into how Kiwis are feeling about all things tourism, and if the recent release is anything to go by, it’s an exciting time to be in the industry!

Here are just 5 of the coolest facts from the latest survey results!

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Meet Rose, the student who found ITC and happiness after years trying other paths!

Rose tried lots of study and work options, but wasn’t truly happy until she switched to Travel and Tourism!

It’s incredibly tough to know what you want to do with your life at just 18. Once you get a little older, you realise how challenging it is to have to try to pick a career path at that age – and then stick with it forever!

Rose was one of those students. Throughout her 20s, she studied all manner of pathways, and worked in all manner of jobs. But she knew none of it was really for her. That’s when she took interest in travel and tourism, discovered ITC, and made the life-changing decision to enrol.

Rose’s story is a particularly inspiring one, and one that will resonate with anyone who has ever been unsure of which path to take! (more…)

From the Classroom to the Industry: How ITC Is Shaping the Future of Tourism in NZ Schools

ITC’s Mel at the beach with a group of Schools students.

At International Travel College (ITC), we’re proud to partner with secondary schools across Aotearoa to bring real-world pathways and hands-on learning into the classroom. As a leading tertiary provider specialising in tourism, aviation and travel, we support secondary students via short courses, Gateway / STAR programmes, tourism class resources, and more — all designed to educate while sparking students’ passion for our industry. 

We are proud of the work our dedicated team has achieved over the years. This year is our biggest yet! Once again expanding our Schools Team, building new exciting relationships to support tourism education in schools and bringing new schools onboard to provide quality education and resources Nationwide. 

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Imagine having just your fun subjects every day

Bored at school? Imagine just being able to study your fun subjects!

Everyone has classes in high school that are more fun than others. Ones that don’t feel like you’re trying to force your brain through a pasta strainer (we’re looking at you, physics).

But perhaps you light up when you learn about travel, cultures, or planning dream holidays?

What if you could spend every day studying the things that actually excite you? What if your fun subjects became your full-time study, leading you straight toward a career? That’s what’s on offer at the International Travel College (ITC).

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ITC graduate launches herself into big new role with AJ Hackett

Graduate Fleur has already had an incredibly exciting career – and she’s only just begun!

In early 2023, we chatted with ITC graduate Fleur who had just landed an incredible role with AJ Hackett.

Two years on, we heard about her adventures overseas, and her promotion to a managerial level at AJ Hackett. And since ITC loves to stay in touch with graduates and celebrate their successes, we thought we’d share her wonderful stories and news with new students considering following in her footsteps!

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Welcome to our newest recruits to ITC!

Say hello to our wonderful new Auckland City Campus class! (It’s not too late to join them!)

We’ve just started a new intake on Monday for our New Zealand Certificate in Tourism with a strand in Tourism and Travel, and our New Zealand Certificate in Tourism with a strand in Aviation.

And we could not be more excited to welcome our newest recruits to the ITC family!

These students have snapped up their full Fees Free entitlements by enrolling now, and they’ve taken the first step in a phenomenal lifelong career in travel and tourism. As you might imagine, the excitement on campus is infectious.

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Interested in taking the next step in your education, but not sure where to go or what to do?

We might be a little biased, but we think there are countless reasons to choose ITC to earn an industry-recognised, valuable qualification. Our courses have helped thousands of students land the jobs of their dreams, and we’re looking forward to meeting and helping thousands more!

So here are just 9 of the top reasons to choose ITC.

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What do you need to study at ITC?

Want to study at ITC? Here’s what you need to be eligible to enrol with us!

One of the most common questions we get asked from potential students is what they need to be eligible to enrol.

The good news is that it’s pretty straight forward!

Here’s a little more information about ITC, and what you need to be eligible to study at each level.

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