ITI Articles

ITI is proud to welcome its newest member, The International Travel College of New Zealand

The International Travel College (ITC) has its main campus in Auckland City, and others in South Auckland and on the North Shore. It offers training in Travel & Tourism, International Travel, Tourism & IT, Airline & International Travel Agency Operations, and Tourism & Travel Management. In 2006, ITC launched a distance and online learning programme, which already has more than 60 students enrolled.

Director Karen Houston is an experienced travel industry and training professional who jointly founded the business in 1996 and continues to be the principal shareholder and operating manager of the business. Karen has 12 years experience as General Manager of Europe’s largest tour operator and 15 years closely involved in tertiary and vocational training and development in Europe and New Zealand. 

Karen says that she wanted ITC to become a member of ITI because she views ITI Executive Director Dave Guerin as a key player in the sector and appreciates having someone in Wellington “who has their ear to the ground, with the education background and expertise”. The common ground shared by ITC and other ITI members, as well as the strong reputation of the member institutions were further incentives.

Since opening in 1996, ITC has grown steadily to become the largest specialist travel and tourism training college in Auckland with over 500 EFTS. It was the winner of the New Zealand Tourism Awards in 2004 and 2005, and a finalist in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2006. These awards are a key benchmark in the travel and tourism industry.

As well as its success in the Tourism Awards, ITC has achieved another substantial accomplishment – being awarded the International Quality Standard in 2003. Karen Houston calls this a “quieter achievement”, but is just as proud of it. She says it is significant to have the whole ITC operation measured against a worldwide standard and to maintain it “during tough times in the sector, when many people are cutting quality.”

Karen Houston says that a large part of ITC’s success is because her staff members all come from the industry and “have a passion for it.” “We all came from successful careers,” says Karen, “and it’s great to be able to still work on the fringes of the industry helping other people have the fun we used to have!”

ITI is very pleased to welcome The International Travel College of New Zealand on board.