Training & Development
UPCOMING INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism Industry Strengthening Program
Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism are dedicated to supporting the sustainable growth of our visitor economy. We regularly coordinate training and workshops to support tourism businesses and their staff to grow and evolve.
Here you will find a list of all upcoming training opportunities available in the region.
We aim to provide a mix of online and in person training. Training workshops are available to all partner businesses in the Great Ocean Road region, not dependant on their location.
CURRENT TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Attracting and retaining talented staff
Streamline your talent recruitment and management plans with the help of recruitment expert Catherine Bell. Watch the 1.5hour training video at your own pace to arm yourself with a clear strategy and fresh approach to the challenge of recruiting staff this summer and beyond.
* Self-paced online training video and supporting templates/resources

Do you operate a business that is committed to sustainable tourism practices, or know someone in your local region who does? Ecotourism Australia’s Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard is the ideal program to see where your tourism business is at on its sustainability journey.
By undergoing an assessment, you will receive a scorecard and expert tips to improve your sustainability practices. Show your customers just how committed you are to protecting the environment for generations to come. Find out more and apply below:
The Victorian Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) offer regular training and development opportunities, delivered by industry experts. Their programs are well regarded and tailored to the needs of businesses operating in the tourism sector.
2026 Commonwealth Games
With three years to go until the eyes of the sporting world are on regional Victoria for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, the Andrews Labor Government is launching a jobs pipeline that delivers for local workers and businesses.
The Local Jobs First policy and the social procurement framework will create opportunities for local contractors and suppliers to win contracts and ensure the Games deliver strong social outcomes.
Regional engagement forums have begun and will continue in host cities. To view the Victoria 2026 Goods and Services Pipeline, businesses can visit the hub at victoria2026.com.au/business, or to register a supplier profile and learn more about state procurement, visit tenders.vic.gov.au.
Can’t find what you are looking for?
We are coordinating new training opportunities all the time, so please bookmark this page or keep an eye on our industry newsletters (subscribe below if you haven’t already) and our Facebook page for training opportunities as we schedule them.
Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism partners can visit our Partner Portal for training available any time at no cost.
Still want something different? Contact our Industry Development Manager, Jo Birley [email protected] to let her know the types of workshops you would like us to deliver.
PREVIOUS TRAINING PROGRAMS
See below the training programs we have held in the past. This will give you an idea of the breadth of training we offer. Bookmark this page and follow GORRT on Facebook to see upcoming opportunities. If there is something you would like to see run again, please get in contact with Jo Birley, GORRT’s Industry Development Manager.
Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism industry partners have FREE access to recordings and webinars from a selection of previous training programs.
Visit our PARTNER PORTAL to access recordings and other online training.
Developing your brand story and bringing it to life
This full day masterclass, delivered in two parts, will provide you with clarity on your brand and what that means for you and your customers, plus the practical application of your brand across your digital channels.
This workshop is ideal for businesses just starting out, to develop their brand identity and a vision for what they want to represent, or for businesses looking for an opportunity to revisit their vision and develop clarity around how they want their customers to see them and what they deliver. The afternoon session will provide practical digital marketing tips that small businesses can apply immediately.
Brand Strategist Tania Farelly + digital media expert Joel Thorsen will facilitate the day to provide you with expert skills and advice.
Great Ocean Road Digital Coaching Program – phase two
20 businesses will work directly with expert coaches from Tourism Tribe in one-on-one sessions reviewing, developing, and ultimately optimising traction with your online customers. Apply today to be part of this program.
Who should apply?
- Tourism, events and hospitality businesses in the Great Ocean Road region.
- This program is designed for those who have an active digital marketing presence
What does the Digital Coaching program involve?
- A digital health check of your business. You will be provided with a written report reviewing your online performance across a number of channels. These will occur over summer and no engagement or requirement of your time is neccesary.
- Two 60-minute one-on-one sessions assessing and optimising your online presence. These sessions will be tailored to your specific needs and digital health check.
- A 12-month subscription to Tourism Tribe, ensuring access to ongoing support and learning opportunities
Find Your True North
Reorient your business around what matters most with Peter and Sueanne from Customer Frame.
For business owners + senior leaders who want to level up their business around the ultimate reason they exist – their customers. Find the gaps, focus your efforts + get a plan to fix the issues holding you back. Now is the time to get back on track, find your true north + prepare your business to maximise the opportunities that lie ahead.
- New perspectives on how you view your customer + how they help you find your True North
- A benchmark for where your business is today, to know where you’re starting from
- Gaps + priorities identified specific to your business, helping you to cut through the noise + gain alignment on what to do next
- A refreshed view on the region’s Customer Profiles, how they’re being used to drive the region forward + how they relate to your business
- New energy for your business, setting you up for success for the future
Workplace Wellbeing:
Building the best possible team and keeping it together
A full day workshop developed to help you build capabilities to create and maintain a positive workplace, and make sure wellbeing in your business is practised and not just a buzz word.
Finding and retaining staff is more challenging than ever right now; this workshop will provide advice on staff retention, engagement and performance maximisation. We’ve brought together two industry experts to provide practical skills development around managing the health and wellbeing of your team – and you. Designed to motivate you to make impactful changes to the way you lead and the environment you do business in, this masterclass will inspire positivity along with give you practical tools to assist with self-management, and the management of your team.
Mel Neil, an expert in the field of human flourishing and leadership, and facilitator of the award-winning Melbourne Tourism Leadership Program will coordinate tailored sessions to help ensure you are maintaining a positive environment for your team.
Preparing for the Post-Covid Traveller – the return of international markets
A session for tourism operators who want to understand what the return of international visitation looks like and ensure they can offer what the post-covid visitor is looking for.
A full day workshop aimed at operators who want to develop their product to maximise opportunities to grow their return from international guests. Suitable for those already working with international distributors and wholesalers, those interested in moving into this space, and those who want to refine their product to appeal to returning international markets. Our expert presenters provided a wealth of insight into the international visitor and how we could best leverage opportunities for a strong recovery. Tania Jacobs from The Tourism Ninja facilitated the workshop, with special guests Paul Murray from Tourism Australia, Diana Morgan from Visit Victoria and Tim Grandfield from Great Southern Touring Route.
Social Media Workshops with Tourism Tribe
90 minute Social Media training workshops
Despina Karatzias from Tourism Tribe ran 90 minute social media skills workshops designed to suit you.
Designed for beginner and intermediate skills.
- The benefits of social media for your business
- Create and launch an effective social media marketing plan
- How to use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Google My Business
Social Media Tools for Tourism (Intermediate)
If you are already active on social media or you are starting out and want to know about tapping into the world of social media marketing like other successful businesses join us to deep dive even further into your content marketing tools and strategies.
In this training you will learn:
- The art of storytelling through content
- Managing and protecting your online reputation
- How to use your social media efforts to increase traffic to your website and convert bookings
Regional Tourism Wine Education Program – Phase 2
Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) One Day Course for Tourism Employees
After an oversubscribed program delivered in late 2021, Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism, again partnered up with the Archive Academy (formerly the Geelong Wine School) as they deliver WSET Level 1 (one day course) award. A globally recognised international standard in wine education program.
Digital Coaching Program
Apply now for the Digital Coaching Program, delivered in partnership with VTIC and Tourism Tribe. This program will provide you with an in-depth analysis of your digital assets and with coaching sessions that will help you refine and improve them.
No matter what stage your business is at in adopting technology, you will leave this program armed with knowledge to be better able to make informed decisions about your next digital step.
RevenYou Great Ocean Road Webinar Series
Free online training designed for Accommodation Operators
These four practical 60 minute sessions will cover different aspects of your business, including how to best price your rooms, work with Online Travel Agents for better yield management, create an effective online presence and benchmarking.
Topic 1: Value Proposition: how much should I be charging?
Topic 2: 0% Commission is just a myth: there’s no such thing as a free booking
Topic 3: Digital Marketing: how do I improve my online presence to find new markets and fill off peak?
Topic 4: Benchmark me: am I really doing okay?
Set yourself up for a strong recovery
These free short sharp up-skilling sessions are guaranteed to change the way you see your business + customers
- Learn how you can use the tools already at your fingertips to help make better business decisions for the areas that will make the biggest difference to your future, to help you focus + prioritise
- Learn some tips + tricks on how to analyze your customer reviews to highlight what you’re doing well + what you should be doing less of, to improve your business + have happier customers
- Learn some tips + tricks on how to gain more loyal customers who love what you do + tell everyone about you, to attract more customers for the long-term
Topic 1: Customer Insight
Tap into the hidden potential of your greatest asset to set you up for success.
Topic 2: Customer Experience
Find + fix the issues in your business that are holding you back
Topic 3: Customer Advocacy
Find out how your customers really feel about you, then do more of what they love!
You can register for all three free upskill sessions (recommended), or pick those you want to attend. Each session runs for 90 minutes.
Cultural Capacity Introduction Session
90 minute online workshop with Ashleigh Bartley, Visit Victoria’s Specialist in Aboriginal Tourism
This is a session designed as a first step in engaging with Indigenous Australians. It is designed for those in the tourism industry wanting to engage, employe or partner with indigenous Australian people or i businesses.
Topics covered include:
- Cultural protocols and sensitivities for engaging with Indigenous Australians (respect)
- Historical Information to support the conversation on respect and acknowledgment (truth-telling)
- The importance of representation, not only in media but across all industries (leadership)
- How to get involved in Victoria (engagement)
Regional Tourism Wine Education Program
Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) One Day Course for Tourism Employees
Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism together with Tourism Greater Geelong and the Bellarine, partnered up with Geelong Wine School as they deliver WSET Level 1 (one day course) award. A globally recognised international standard in wine education program.
Please contact Jo if you would like to be added to a waiting list for future course dates.
Product Incubator Program
Do you have a great business idea but you are not sure where to begin?
The Runway Incubator program is a supportive and practical program which uses hands on, relevant activities to assist participants to successfully grow their ideas from concept through to launch.
Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism have partnered with Runway to sponsor two new tourism business start-ups in the Great Ocean Road region to participate in the program.
