Young Australians Tourism Association

The Young Australians Tourism Association (YATA) is the peak industry body representing tourism students and tourism industry youth in Western Australia. The Association has the key role of assisting students with the move into the tourism industry and acts a support base and networking forum for young tourism professionals as they develop their careers.
History of YATA
The concept for the Young Australians Tourism Association was conceived in 1993 when Alan Mulgrew, then CEO Perth Airport foresaw the need to develop the future of tourism and provide a link for young people to the industry.
With this in mind, Alan approached Clive Nelthorpe a tourism lecturer at Edith Cowan University to start an association that would link the industry and tourism youth. Through Alan, Perth Airport committed $10,000 to start the organisation.
The foundations for the Association were developed between Alan Mulgrew, Clive Nelthorpe and Eddie Wattling, all prominent dynamic people in the tourism industry.
Clive’s tourism students were also instrumental in developing the Association through their student assignments, in particular Susan Guthridge. Susan’s assignment suggested the name Young Australians Tourism Association and the related acronym YATA and original logo (above).
The original committee worked closely with Clive Nelthorpe to develop the initial concept 'into an' Association. This included deciding upon a name, registering it, finding committee members, designing a logo, brochures, pounding the pavement and knocking on the doors of the Perth Convention Bureau, WA Tourist Commission (now Tourism WA), colleges and universities teaching tourism and the tourism industry.
The Young Australians Tourism Association was launched February 15 1994, by the then Premier and Minister for Tourism Hon Richard Court.
The original committee members were: Bonnie Allen (Chair), Blair Weir (Vice Chair), Gail Szabo (Secretary), Jane Armstrong, Kellie Croxon, Dave Hancock, Andrea Johnson, Rachel Johnson, Sylvana la Pegna, Daniel Leblanc and Guy Spouge.
Bonnie Allen was the founding Chair for 3 years and then Andrea Johnson took on the role for 4 years. The founding secretary, Gail Szabo remained in the role for 6 years.
The initial YATA committee achieved many great feats including:
- Initiated YATA sitting on the State Tourism Council, represented on WAITOA (now ATEC), represented on PATA committee
- Attended student career days to promote tourism as a career option
- Spoke at schools, universities and youth groups
- Developed exchange programs in conjunction with PATA which was attended by 3 committee members over time
- A work experience register was developed between the industry and students.
During its early years, YATA was very successful and hosted many cocktail networking parties and educational events that enabled influential tourism industry professionals to meet and network with tourism students and tourism youth.
Most of the time, membership in YATA sat at about 150. Unfortunately in late 2001 there were only 3 people on the committee and very few members. YATA decided to cease operations and take the time to refocus.
New committee members were recruited and after months of planning the Young Australians Tourism Association was re-launched in August 2003.
The relaunch of YATA
In August 2003, the Young Australians Tourism Association relaunched with a new logo (above) under the direction of Chairperson Scott Campbell from the Perth Convention Bureau.
Before its relaunch YATA sought support from Curtin University, Edith Cowan University, Central TAFE, Western Australian Tourism Commission (now Tourism WA), Eventscorp, Perth Convention Bureau, Tourism Council WA. The organisations became YATA’s partners.
YATA has since sought the support of Murdoch University, which is also now a partner.
With strong industry and academia partners, YATA relaunched to 80 industry professionals in the Burswood Presidential Suite.
YATA currently has over 100 members with an even balance between student and industry members. YATA has run a number of well-received events including developing successful annual events such as the YATA Christmas Bowl Off, the YATA Yacht Regatta and the Cultural Awareness Conference series.
YATA is positioning itself as the peak association for tourism youth in Western Australia.
Partner organisations
* Tourism Western Australia
* EventsCorp
* Perth Convention Bureau
* Tourism Council Western Australia
* Curtin University of Technology
* Murdoch University
* Edith Cowan University
* Central TAFE

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