Mentoring Program
Queensland Tourism Futures, delivered by QTIC, is a flagship mentoring program supporting aspiring and early-career tourism professionals across the state. First launched in 2011 as the Young Professionals Mentoring Program, it was designed to help emerging leaders build confidence, develop industry connections, and navigate Queensland’s diverse visitor economy. Today, it remains one of the state’s leading professional development pathways.
Running from April to October, it offers flexible mentoring sessions held in person, online, or by phone, supported by a comprehensive guidebook. Mentees are thoughtfully matched with mentors based on their goals and industry experience, ensuring tailored guidance that supports career growth.
The program continues to play an important role in developing future tourism leaders and strengthening Queensland’s workforce.
Program eligibility
Whether you’re looking to kick-start your tourism career or are an industry icon keen to foster the professional growth of others, we welcome program participants through several eligibility streams.
Mentees
Stream 1 - Student
To qualify for the mentoring program under this stream, you will need to be:
- Be completing their final year of study with a current QTIC member educational institution
- Be studying in a tourism-related qualification or course
Stream 2 - Career changer
To qualify for the mentoring program under this stream, you will need to:
- Have transitioned into tourism from another industry in the last 2 years
- Be currently employed by a financial QTIC Member or be a QTIC Individual member. Learn more about membership
Stream 3 - Tourism professional
To qualify for the mentoring program under this stream, you will need to:
- Have at least 12 months tourism work experience
- Be currently employed by a financial QTIC Member or be a QTIC Individual Member. Learn more about membership
Stream 4 - Leadership
To qualify for the mentoring program under this stream, you will need to have:
- Demonstrated leadership potential within the tourism industry
- A minimum of 3 years’ experience in a tourism-related role
- Currently employed by a financial QTIC Member or be a QTIC Individual Member. Learn more about membership
Cost
Accepted mentees will pay a nominal participation fee of $100 (+ GST) to join the program. This fee can be covered by either the mentee or their employer.
Mentors
Eligibility requirements
To become a Queensland Tourism Futures mentor, you must be:
- Able to commit a minimum 1 hour per month meeting with mentees
- Employed by a financial QTIC Member or be a QTIC Individual Member. Learn more about membership
Why participate?
Taking part in Queensland Tourism Futures provides a unique pathway to grow personally and professionally. Participants gain direct access to industry leaders, valuable insights, and real-world experience that can meaningfully accelerate career development.
Complete the online Expression of Interest form and provide details about your background, goals, and preferred areas of development (or mentoring expertise). QTIC will review all submissions and match participants based on alignment of interests, experience, and availability. Successful applicants will be notified and provided with next steps before the program begins.
Key Program Dates
Swipe across to see all dates
14 January 2026
13 March 2026
16 March 2026 - 6 April 2026
20 April 2026
April/May 2026
April/May 2026
October 2026
16 October 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What will I gain from having a mentor?
You’ll receive personalised guidance, career insights, and support from an experienced industry professional, helping you build confidence, capability, and connections.
How does the matching process work?
QTIC reviews all applications and pairs mentors and mentees based on career interests, sector alignment, location, experience, and availability to ensure the best possible match.
What is the expected time commitment?
Mentor–mentee pairs typically connect once per month for a 6-month period, but session frequency and format can be tailored to suit both participants’ schedules.
How are mentor–mentee meetings held?
Meetings can take place in person, online, or over the phone – whatever works best for both participants. Many regional pairings opt for virtual sessions.
Can I participate if I live in a regional area?
Absolutely. The program supports participants from all regions of Queensland, with many mentoring partnerships conducted virtually.
What kinds of activities take place during the program?
Activities may include one-on-one mentoring sessions, industry events, personal development exercises, and more.
What if my availability changes during the program?
We understand that circumstances shift. Participants should communicate openly with their mentor/mentee and notify QTIC if support is required.
What happens if I’m not matched?
While QTIC aims to match all applicants, placements depend on availability and alignment. If a match isn’t possible, we encourage you to stay connected and apply again in future program rounds.
I’ve done the program before, can I apply again?
Yes. Participants can reapply as a mentee or return as a mentor in future years as their career progresses.
Get in touch
If you would like to learn more about the program, please email [email protected] or phone (07) 3236 1445.
The Queensland Tourism Futures Mentoring Program is proudly supported by the Queensland Government, Tourism and Events Queensland and the University of Queensland.
