World-leading visitor experiences and destinations
Supercharging a sustainable visitor economy through AI and smart technologies
​NEXT-GEN VISITOR ECONOMY CRC
Redesigning Australia’s visitor economy for the next generation of consumers and employees, to build stronger communities and competitive destinations.
As the world’s attention turns to Australia in the lead-up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to develop digital technologies to transform our visitor economy into a world leader in innovative, digitally enhanced tourism and event experiences.
Australia's visitor economy
2.9% of
Australia's GDP
Worth $78 billion
1 in 7
businesses
355,600 tourism-related businesses
1 in 23
jobs
Directly employs
600,000 people
AI and automation is
expected to generate up to
$600 billion a year
towards Australia's GDP by 2030
Our vision
​The Next Gen Visitor Economy CRC will lead the transformation of the visitor economy by pioneering cutting-edge technologies, innovative business models, and sustainable practices that deliver unparalleled visitor experiences, drive productivity and competitiveness, and foster resilient, regenerative destinations for future generations.
Our mission
To harness the power of AI, innovative technologies, and collaboration to develop world-leading visitor experiences and destinations.
​
The Next Gen Visitor Economy CRC will:​
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Uncover what consumers want next drawing from the vast amounts of data to enable businesses to anticipate opportunities and invest in the next generation of visitor experiences.
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Co-design breakthrough AI and other technologies that optimise business operations and planning, improving tourism workforce opportunities, productivity, and service quality of visitor experiences and destinations.
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Drive the creation of sustainable and resilient visitor destinations by designing and deploying cutting-edge technologies, supporting regenerative tourism initiatives, monitoring environmental and community well-being, and empowering regional and First Nations-led development.
Through our work, we aim to drive regional development and celebrate and empower First Nations.
Interested in getting involved?
Round 26 of The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) by the Australian Government is currently open. We are collating all interested partner documentation from business, industry association and government for the Bid Submission before the 11 April, 2025.
If successful, the Next-Gen Visitor Economy CRC from 2026-2033 will be established.
Interested to learn more?
To discuss how you could participate, please contact:
​
Professor Sarah Gardiner
+61 7 5552 7163