A partnership that develops courses for Antarctic cruise passengers has won a prestigious National Travel Industry Award.
The University and cruise company HX have won the Most Outstanding Travel Industry Training Program prize at the awards.
The 2021 partnership created a first for the tourism industry with an education program on Antarctic science, wildlife, governance, history and responsible tourism that is available to HX’s guests before, during and after their trip.
It has since expanded with the Introductory Antarctica, Svalbard and Alaska courses all live. Introductory Antarctica is now also available in several languages.
Following an overwhelmingly positive response from HX guests, the program was expanded for the 2025/2026 cruise season to include two distinct online learning tiers – the short Introductory Antarctic Course and an accredited longer course, Antarctica: A Journey of Discovery with HX & UTAS.
More than 5,000 HX passengers have enrolled in one of the introductory courses. Eleven standalone short courses will be released as a comprehensive offering for the 2026/27 Antarctic season, replacing a 20-hour Antarctic Comprehensive course
Introductory short courses for the remaining HX voyage destinations will be released in the coming months.
The courses were developed by disciplines across the University, including from IMAS, Humanities and Social Sciences, Creative and Performing Arts, Sciences and Engineering, and Psychology. Expertise in online learning co-design and content development was also provided by the Curriculum Design and Innovation (Academic Division), and Learning Innovation (Health) teams.
Professor of Antarctic Studies Elizabeth Leane from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and one of the course development leads, said the courses were a vital way of ensuring tourism to Antarctica is conducted sustainably.
“Research (including our own) shows that education is an important part of encouraging stewardship in tourists,” Professor Leane said.
“These courses, which include content on responsible tourism, can create a deeper and more meaningful experience for travellers.”
Interim Co-Executive Director of IMAS Professor Helen Phillips said the award was an achievement that many at the University could be proud of.
“Offering these to the general public as well as to HX guests gives IMAS a new way to share our research with a wider audience, and may encourage more people to learn about the work we do here,” Professor Phillips said.
Read more: National Travel Industry Awards 2026: Winners revealed at glitzy gala | Karryon.
Photo: Andrea Klaussner