About Us

The Young Australians Tourism Association (YATA) is a networking and professional development association for tourism youth in Perth. YATA aims to provide a link between the industry and tomorrow's professionals.

The YATA Executive Committee is elected by the membership for a two-year period and is made up of both industry and academic representatives. Academic representatives are appointed from each University and TAFE and the remaining committee members come from a wide range of tourism associations and organisations.

YATA currently has over 200 members, with an even balance between student and industry members, and has run a number of well-received events including developing successful networking and professional development events.

The aim of YATA is to position itself as the peak association for tourism youth in Western Australia.

The Relaunch of the Young Australians Tourism Association

In 2008, YATA relaunched with a fresh modern new look, new committee executives and a new vision, while maintaining the core philosophies of linking young professionals of tomorrow to the tourism industry. Make sure you meet the team!

In 2012, we seek to increase industry awareness and involvement, ensure our student members are industry ready through events and networking opportunities and to increase overall benefits to student and industry members alike. For more information on how you can become a member, visit our Join YATA section of the website.

The History of the Young Australians Tourism Association

The concept for the YATA was conceived in 1993 when Alan Mulgrew, then CEO Perth Airport, foresaw the need to develop the future of tourism and provide a link between young tourism professionals and the industry.

The foundations for YATA were developed between Alan Mulgrew, Clive Nelthorpe (a tourism lecturer at Edith Cowan University) and Eddie Wattling, all prominent dynamic people in the tourism industry.

Alan obtained $10,000 worth of funding from Perth Airport to help establish YATA, while Clive Nethorpe worked closely with the original committee members to develop the initial concept. This included deciding upon a name, registering it, finding new committee members, designing a logo, writing brochures, pounding the pavement and knocking on the doors of the Perth Convention Bureau, WA Tourist Commission (now Tourism WA), colleges and universities teaching tourism and the tourism industry.

Clive's tourism students were also instrumental in developing YATA through their student assignments. In particular, Susan Guthridge's assignment developed the name Young Australians Tourism Association, the acronym YATA and the original logo (right).

The Young Australians Tourism Association was launched February 15 1994, by the then Premier and Minister for Tourism Hon Richard Court.

The original committee members were: Bonnie Allen (founding Chair), Blair Weir (Vice Chair), Gail Szabo (founding Secretary), Jane Armstrong, Kellie Croxon, Dave Hancock, Andrea Johnson (Chair), Rachel Johnson, Sylvana la Pegna, Daniel Leblanc and Guy Spouge.

Unfortunately in late 2001 there were only three people on the committee and very few members. YATA decided to cease operations and take the time to refocus.

In August 2003, the Young Australians Tourism Association relaunched with a new logo, under the direction of Chairperson Scott Campbell from the Perth Convention Bureau.

Before its relaunch, YATA sought support from Curtin University, Edith Cowan University, Central TAFE, Western Australian Tourism Commission (now Tourism WA), Eventscorp, Perth Convention Bureau, Tourism Council WA. The organisations became YATA's partners.

YATA has since sought the support and partnership of Murdoch University.

With strong industry and academia partners, YATA relaunched to 80 industry professionals in the Burswood Presidential Suite.