Engaging students through authentic learning: Connecting with international tourism partners

Authentic learning is learning that is constructivist, inquiry-based and has work value. As issues with graduate employability have, in recent years, come to the fore, educators in a range of disciplines are interested in engaging their students in authentic activities that reflect the experiences of real-world practitioners. The purpose of this paper is to share the redevelopment of a postgraduate tourism course using an authentic, problem-based learning approach, and to reflect on the impact this learning approach had on student learning, particularly in relation to contemporary student and workforce needs related to employability. Designed around a focal ‘consultancy project’ with an international partner, the course aims to provide students with a unique opportunity to engage in real-world learning, while facilitating career-relevant activities for students that will help them develop stronger employability skills, including problem-solving, decision making, communication, collaboration, and creativity.