Tourism grants for students

Two Otago tourism research projects have been boosted by $30,000 worth of grants.

University of Otago students Jane Godfrey and Paul Spurdle, studying for master's degrees in tourism and planning respectively, were among five budding tourism leaders to receive tourism research scholarships from the Government this week.

Ms Godfrey's research focused on the motivation and expectations of backpackers travelling to New Zealand.

Mr Spurdle was studying the environmental impacts of temporary events on "outstanding natural features and landscapes".

Each received $15,000 to support their work.

Associate Tourism Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman said it was "heartening to see such insightful, broad and high-calibre research work" from students, given how important tourism was to the economy.

The scholarships, established in 2004, were designed to build research capacity in tourism, increase research applicable to the industry, increase the profile of tourism research, and create stronger links between researchers, industry and the public sector.