Past Masters students

Melanie Grudda

The ‘Master of Tourism Studies’ programme at AUT provided me with the opportunity of a career change. After having worked in marketing, I wanted to expand my knowledge in sustainable tourism planning in order to combine these two areas. My thesis ‘Understanding Visitor Attitudes towards Seafood and Tourism in the Nelson/Marlborough and Golden Bay Region in New Zealand’ contributed to an international research project undertaken by the NZTRI. The institute, to me, offered great opportunities to strengthen my research skills, to work on an international scale, and to develop important business relationships.

Ulrike Sassenberg
"I enrolled in the Master of Tourism Studies at Auckland University of Technology in July 2007. Having an economical background my goal was to get involved in the actual development of tourism in different destinations. My thesis was entitled 'The influence of innovation in sustainable tourism development on the role of key stakeholders' and was part of a tourism innovation research project at the institute. To me the NZTRI provided an optimal possibility to gain practical experiences, work with professionals and built up an international network."

Ulrike is now working with an international tourism consulting firm in Barcelona.