Robotics, automation and AI are often described as the tourism and hospitality workforce of tomorrow. But how do we, as a tourism industry, integrate these technologies with the expectations of Generation Z?
At Griffith University’s Griffith Institute for Tourism – the leading tourism research university in Australia and among the top ten globally – PhD researcher Mengni Fu (Christine) is exploring how Gen Z, born between 1995 and the early 2010s, will shape the future as both consumers and employees.
Christine’s research is already showing how understanding this generation is essential for tourism operators, educators and policymakers who want to remain competitive.
“Gen Z represents both the future consumer base and workforce of the tourism and hospitality industry. Their preferences, expectations and readiness to engage with technology will directly shape service delivery models.”
Integrating people and technology
Christine notes that hospitality has often lagged behind industries like manufacturing, retail and banking in adopting advanced technologies. Yet workforce shortages, rising costs and demand for contactless services are accelerating change. “The industry faces a shift in how services are delivered and experienced, and how hospitality and tourism workplaces should be restructured,” she says.
Her research offers guidance for industry stakeholders. Hotel operators are advised to align technology investments with consumer expectations, market maturity and hotel type. Educators are encouraged to integrate both technology skills and emotional intelligence into training, while policymakers should strengthen digital infrastructure, support cross-sector collaboration and introduce clear regulation.
Christine also highlights the importance of preparing Gen Z consumers and employees with a roadmap to navigate hybrid human–tech service environments.
Born 1995 – 2010, Generation Z are the future tourism consumers and workforce.
What the data is revealing
Her work draws on extensive research across China and Australia, including interviews with 21 senior hotel managers, analysis of 137 industry documents, surveys of 800 Gen Z consumers, and responses from 549 hospitality students across 228 universities.
The findings show a preference for collaboration between people and technology, rather than fully automated or entirely human service models. Yet approaches differ between countries. In China, hotels are already integrating robotics and AI, with Gen Z expecting automation as the norm. In Australia, the focus is more on mobile-based solutions, with younger consumers showing curiosity but also caution around robotics.
Hospitality students also express mixed feelings. They see technology as a tool for efficiency and skill development but worry about job insecurity and increased workplace stress. Christine’s analysis highlights emotional intelligence as a crucial capability for students preparing to work in tech-integrated environments – yet it is still undervalued by many education providers.
A personal passion for tourism
Christine’s journey into tourism research was inspired by her father’s career in hotel management. After moving from Weifang in China’s Shandong Province to the Gold Coast in 2016, she pursued a Bachelor of International Tourism and Hotel Management at Griffith University, followed by a Master of Financial Management and a Graduate Diploma in Business Research.
“During my studies, I witnessed the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted the hospitality sector and limited job opportunities for students like myself. This motivated me to explore how services and workplaces are evolving in response to emerging technologies,” she says.
Mengni Fu Christine, with her two supervisors Dr Barry Fraser and Professor Charles Arcodia.
Looking ahead to 2032
Christine hopes her work will inform how large-scale events, including the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games, can act as catalysts for innovation in tourism. She is particularly interested in how global events can shape legacies of technology adoption, workforce transformation and visitor experience.
“I hope to propose new projects exploring how large-scale events can drive innovation and transformation in the sector,” she says.
Through her PhD, Christine is building insights that will not only help operators adapt to rapid technological change but also ensure Australia’s visitor economy remains competitive and resilient in a future shaped by Gen Z.
Griffith University’s 2024 Sustainability Report marks a significant milestone in the University’s journey toward achieving its ambitious sustainability targets, aligned with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Joining the international call to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity by 2030, the 17 SDGs have shaped Griffith’s Sustainability Strategy 2023 – 2030 as evidenced by actions and impact.
Griffith Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans.
Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans said the Sustainability Report was an opportunity to celebrate the efforts of staff, students and partners who continued to drive innovation and impact in alignment with the UN SDGs.
“The sustainability report captures Griffith’s efforts to embed environmental, social and governance principles across every facet of university life including academic, operational, and community,” Professor Evans said.
“As we celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2025, we remain steadfast in our aim to be a leading university of influence and impact in Australia and across the Asia–Pacific.”
Key achievements in 2024 included:
Climbing 48 places since the 2023 round – Griffith ranked 24th worldwide in the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, 5th in Australia, and 1st in Queensland
Griffith reduced emissions by six per cent in the previous financial year and 48 per cent since 2010
Solar panels were installed across 11 buildings which reduced the University’s carbon emissions by 1,590 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year
Griffith University received Gold Tier status for continued dedication to a safe and supportive culture for LGBTIQA+ staff and students in the 2024 Australian Workplace Equity Index (AWEI) LGBTQ+ Inclusion Awards.
From grand scale projects to localised initiatives, Griffith projects are driving meaningful change, and 2024 highlights included:
SDG 2 Zero hunger
Griffith’s Green Library team earned Griffith’s Green Impact Platinum Award by promoting the Student Pantry and setting up collection points across campuses, and helping stock the pantry with free groceries for students in need.
SDG 6 Clean water and sanitation
The ‘iKnow, weKnow’ project co-designed a toolbox for managing water and energy in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities. The project integrated digital and non-digital tools and won the Science Engagement category of the Falling Walls Global Call 2024.
SDG 10 Reduced inequalities
Inclusive Voices initiative empowered Australian organisations to enhance accessibility by harnessing the lived experiences of people with disability, and offering vital insights into navigating physical and digital spaces, products, and services.
SDG12 Responsible consumption and production
Griffith became the leading partner in the Solving Plastic Waste Cooperative Research Centre, a 10-year, $140.6 million initiative which launched in 2024 to tackle Australia’s plastic waste crisis through industry-led collaboration that advanced product design, materials innovation, technology, and recycling solutions.
SDG 14 Life below water
A Griffith University study developed a method to predict humpback whale migration, aiding management in understanding route changes due to climate. The study focused on the southern migration of humpback whale mums and calves between the Great Barrier Reef and the Gold Coast.
SDG15 Life on Land
The Social Marketing @ Griffith team led a koala conservation initiative in South East Queensland which reduced koala fatalities from dog attacks, increased reported koala sightings, and reduced the number of koalas struck by cars. The project was integrated into the Queensland Government’s Koala Conservation Strategy, engaged millions of people, and influenced broader conservation efforts.
The full Griffith University Sustainability Report 2024 can be viewed here.
Customising wheelchair seating for elite athletes could significantly enhance performance, improve comfort and support, and create lasting benefits for grassroots sports.
Griffith University researchers, with support from the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) Research and Innovation Unit, have partnered with athletes to co-design and test custom wheelchair cushion inserts tailored to individual needs.
Currently, wheelchair cushions used in sport are often generic and not designed to meet the diverse requirements of athletes or the varied nature of disability.
Project Coordinator and two-time Paralympian, Matthew McShane PLY, from Griffith Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability.
Researchers took prototype inserts to the basketball court to trial them with QAS-supported wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby athletes, comparing the new custom-fit designs with commercially available cushions.
Project Coordinator and two-time Paralympian, Matthew McShane PLY, from Griffith Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability, said the inserts could offer wide-ranging benefits from elite competition to community sport.
“The Para-athletes we’re working with are competing in custom-built chairs worth more than $15,000, yet they’re still using basic foam cushions you could buy off the shelf,” Mr McShane said.
“This project brings athletes and researchers together to design fit-for-purpose inserts that replace generic cushions and better support performance.
“At the grassroots level, custom inserts could make a real difference.
“Not everyone can afford a custom-built wheelchair, but a tailored cushion could improve access, comfort, and participation in sport.”
Mr McShane said the inserts had the potential to:
Optimise athlete performance
Improve comfort and trunk control
Increase training capacity
Reduce injury and pressure sores
Enhance wheelchair mechanics and responsiveness
Australian Rollers squad member Hayden Siebuhr.
“Our goal is to develop effective support for professional wheelchair basketball and rugby athletes, with maximum collaboration throughout the process,” Mr McShane said.
Australian Rollers squad member Hayden Siebuhr said having a moulded cushion and custom-fit setup could make a huge difference for wheelchair athletes.
“For able-bodied athletes, you might just be able to try some new shoes on, it’s just not that easy for wheelchair users,” Mr Siebuhr said.
“It’s a great concept and it’s really cool that you’re able to have something moulded for yourself, for every different chair, so you’re able to try out all different setups.”
Heavy vehicle drivers are often the first on scene at road crashes in rural and remote locations, and a new program is supporting them to provide critical assistance until emergency responders arrive.
The program was developed in collaboration with Griffith University, the Queensland Trucking Association (QTA), the Queensland Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC), the Queensland Police Service, St John’s Ambulance and the heavy vehicle transport industry.
The program provided heavy vehicle drivers with advice on securing a crash scene, delivering relevant first aid, and vital self-care after the event.
School of Applied Psychology Associate Professor Darren Wishart.
First-on-Scene lead researcher Associate Professor Darren Wishart from the School of Applied Psychology said training heavy vehicle drivers in first aid and crash scene management had the potential to make significant positive changes to the outcomes of road crashes.
“The arrival of emergency services to crash scenes in regional and remote locations can be delayed due to distance, and the application of crash scene management and first aid prior to the arrival of emergency services can be the difference between life and death in a road crash,” Professor Wishart said.
“The program provided essential knowledge and skills to empower heavy vehicle drivers to secure a crash scene and apply first aid where possible.
“This initiative supports the wellbeing of people working in the heavy vehicle industry, it addresses the wellbeing of drivers on our regional roads, and it also provides support to emergency responders.
“The First-on-Scene pilot program has been a great success and the feedback from participants was very positive.
“Many participants had previously been the first to arrive at a road crash and some reported they didn’t feel they had the skills to manage a crash scene or apply first aid, and some experienced trauma from the event.
“Following the program, many heavy vehicle drivers said they had the knowledge, skills and confidence to stop at a crash scene and manage the risks.”
Cancer treatment for young people is life changing, and the challenges do not stop when treatment ends with many experiencing ongoing physical, emotional and social effects which can impact their daily lives.
Griffith University researchers have partnered with Canteen and the Youth Cancer Services to test and implement BALANCE, an evidence-based digital lifestyle program which is tailored to the unique needs of young people who have been treated for cancer.
Professor Sandie McCarthy
Griffith’s Professor Sandie McCarthy said completing cancer treatment is an important milestone, but does not always mean young people can return to their former state of health.
“Young people treated for cancer are eight times more likely to face chronic illness, one in three struggle with mental health, and many experience lower education and lifelong reduced income,” Professor McCarthy said.
“Many continue to experience ongoing lifestyle and health challenges, reinforcing the need for specialised support.
“Our study aims to bridge this gap through a digital program which supports life after cancer, addressing physical health, emotional wellbeing, social connection, and life goals.
“The ultimate goal is to ensure young people treated for cancer can enjoy the same quality of life as their peers.”
The digital lifestyle program includes:
13 interactive educational modules
Three one-on-one wellbeing coaching sessions
Access to an online support community
A personal journaling feature
Participants will be provided with a Fitbit watch to track activity and sleep which will then feed into how the program supports health and wellbeing.
For more information on how to be part of the study, please click here.
Aussie beachgoers can protect themselves and the ocean at the same time this summer, thanks to a vibrant new partnership between Ugly Xmas Rashie (UXR) and Griffith University.
Griffith University’s Dr Olaf Meynecke.
Founded by the partners of Rumble Strategic Creative advertising agency, together with Griffith Master of Marketing alumnus David Graham, Ugly Xmas Rashie has partnered with the Whales and Climate Research Program (WCRP), co-led by Griffith’s Dr Olaf Meynecke, to launch a new whale-inspired design just in time for summer.
Proceeds from every rashie sold will directly contribute to the Whales and Climate Research Program and support the team’s ongoing research and conservation of the magnificent marine mammals that visit the Australian coastline every year.
“Whales are the gentle guardians of our seas, keeping the ocean full of life,” Dr Meynecke said.
“We are now at the peak of the southern whale migration with thousands of whales coming close to our Australian shore.
“The whales are heading to Antarctica to find food, but times are challenging for our ocean guardians with warming waters, shifting currents and melting sea ice.
“We are here to provide the best solutions for their future protection with our research on whales and climate.
“You can show your love for whales and their home by sporting the all-new Whale rashie.”
“The Ugly Xmas Rashie was created to do good,” UXR Co-founder David Graham said.
“It was a creative idea we knew could make a difference, so we pulled out all stops to make it happen, using our collective marketing skills and contacts to bring it to life.”
Ugly Xmas Rashie Co-founder David Graham.
Since 2016, Ugly Xmas Rashie has sold tens of thousands of rashies in 26 countries, raising close to half a million dollars for charitable causes, with previous partners including Cancer Council, Surf Life Saving, and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.
They have also been worn by Aussie icons such as Chris Hemsworth and Hugh Jackman.
“Ugly Xmas Rashie is Australia’s answer to the Northern Hemisphere’s ugly Christmas sweater tradition,” Mr Graham said.
“Ugly Xmas Rashie celebrates Australia’s beach lifestyle, sense of humour and is a fun way to stay sun safe and support worthwhile causes.
“That’s why this year we are proud to be partnering with the Whales and Climate Research Program and Griffith University, supporting the incredible work of Dr Olaf Meynecke and his team.”
With a UPF 50+ rating and a luxe feel, the Ugly Xmas Rashie offers lasting quality, fabricated from 85 per cent recycled polyester and 15 per cent spandex, with the polyester fibres made from 100 per cent textile waste or PET bottles, and is manufactured by Brisbane sportswear company Scody.
Griffith University has been successful in securing a prestigious National Institute of Health (NIH) R01 grant to support malaria vaccine research.
Professor Bernd Rehm, Director of the Centre for Cell Factories and Biopolymers at the Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics, is leading the research team which has developed a novel biopolymer conjugate vaccine.
Professor Bernd Rehm
“The vaccine not only prevents infection but also induces antibodies which block transmission by mosquitoes,” Professor Rehm said.
“The vaccine is ambient temperature stable and can be cost-effectively produced at large scale which makes it an ideal malaria vaccine candidate.”
The funding will help the team expand upon the innovative dual-stage vaccine by incorporating additional antigens to develop a comprehensive multistage malaria vaccine.
The achievement would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of PhD candidate Nivethika Sivakumaran who played a pivotal role in developing and testing vaccine prototypes, with the support of Dr Shuxiong Chen.
The malaria vaccine research is a collaborative effort with Johns Hopkins University including Professor Fidel Zavala, who conducted malaria challenge studies, and Associate Professor Abhai Tripathi, who evaluated transmission-blocking activity in mosquitoes.
The Griffith team will collaborate with Dr Carole Long from the NIH’s Laboratory of Malaria and Vector research who will lead critical experiments assessing vaccine performance.
Executive Director of the Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics, Paul Clarke, said: “I’m delighted Professor Rehm has won this significant grant award, one which exemplifies the Institute’s commitment to high impact translational science.”
Balancing sustainability, regeneration, liveability and economic growth remains one of the greatest challenges for the global tourism industry. For Australia and the South Pacific, where tourism is a vital driver of livelihoods and economies, finding this balance has become urgent.
A four-year research project led by Professor Chris Fleming of the Griffith Institute for Tourism has sought to address this challenge, culminating in the launch of the Pacific Better Practice Tourism Guide in May 2025. Developed in collaboration with Pacific Island partners, the guide provides a new framework for how tourism can deliver positive outcomes for communities, economies, and the environment.
“The ability of tourism to deliver genuine and lasting sustainable development is still severely lacking,” Professor Fleming said.
“We need a new model that balances financial returns with social and environmental objectives—particularly in regions where tourism underpins local economies.”
A blueprint for change
The guide was developed with input from a diverse Community of Practice representing eight organisations across the Pacific, alongside Griffith researchers Distinguished Professor Susanne Becken, Dr Ross Westoby, Dr Johanna Loehr, and PhD candidate Mark Ariki. Case studies span the region, from The Brando resort in French Polynesia to the Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea and women’s associations in Vanuatu.
In total, 17 case studies showcase how sustainability principles can be embedded at every level—from national and regional policy to individual businesses and community projects. Each example demonstrates how tourism can restore ecosystems, preserve cultural heritage, and improve local livelihoods, while still contributing to economic growth.
The guide emphasises three pillars:
Sustainability – balancing economic, social and environmental needs.
Regeneration – repairing ecological and societal harms.
Liveability – promoting deeper connections between people and place.
It also outlines six guiding principles to reshape tourism practice: going beyond tourism by linking with food, health and culture systems; achieving net positive impacts; centring Indigenous knowledge; ensuring community empowerment; supporting localisation; and building networks across sectors and borders.
Designed for policymakers, businesses, investors and communities, the Pacific Better Practice Tourism Guide is available online and presented in a user-friendly format. Its one-page case studies highlight guiding principles and outcomes across areas such as infrastructure, livelihoods, culture, and climate resilience.
“The goal was to inspire stakeholders to be innovative and brave, and to use tourism in ways that contribute positively to the region’s long-term future.”
Yet, Professor Fleming acknowledged that while demand for transformative tourism is growing, the highlighted success stories “remain the exception rather than the norm.”
“It is incumbent upon all those involved in tourism—from policymakers to businesses, NGOs, community groups, and even tourists themselves—to embrace the opportunity to create the type of tourism the world needs: sustainable, regenerative, and conscious.”
Professor Susanne Becken, PhD Student Mark Ariki and Professor Chris Fleming.
Looking ahead
The Pacific Better Practice Tourism Guide represents a significant step toward reshaping tourism in the Pacific. By drawing on Indigenous knowledge, regional expertise, and cross-sector collaboration, it offers a collective pathway to ensure tourism delivers not just economic benefit, but cultural and environmental resilience.
As Fleming emphasised:
“Tourism has the potential to be a force for good. But achieving this requires courage, collaboration, and a willingness to think differently about what tourism can and should be.”
When people think of nature sounds, they likely imagine birds singing at dawn or frogs calling after rain. But beneath the surface of our rivers is a whole soundscape that most of us have never even thought to listen to – until now.
PhD Candidate Katie Turlington sampling in the field,
New research led by Griffith University has developed a publicly available tool to help scientists uncover what’s really going on beneath the surface of our rivers, using sound.
“Scientists drop waterproof microphones into rivers to record what is happening underwater; but in just one day, a single recording could capture tens of thousands of sounds, and manually analysing them could take a trained professional up to three times longer than the recording itself.”
The new tool, developed by Ms Turlington and the research team, was developed in R, a free program for analysing data where users upload a folder of audio files and sorts through the sometimes vast volumes of audio without the need for hours of manual work.
It scanned recordings and detected sections from Warrill Creek, Kalbar (about an hour’s drive south-west of Brisbane) that contained sound, and grouped similar sounds together, streamlining the process of identifying what is in the audio.
One of the soundscapes captured and interpreted by Ms Turlington includes this waterbug ‘çhorus’ with fish grunts.
“It can even detect sounds that become masked by the constant noise of flowing water, which often makes recordings from rivers harder to analyse,” Ms Turlington said.
This diagram shows the amount of sampled sounds and how they overlapped.
“When tested in South-East Queensland streams, the tool correctly identified nearly 90 per cent of distinct sounds, faster and with far less effort than manual analysis.”
The tool is free and didn’t require advanced coding skills from the user, it worked with datasets of any size, could be adapted to any type of ecosystem, and Ms Turlington hoped it could change the way we monitored freshwater health.
“By listening to rivers, researchers can track changes in biodiversity, detect signs of disturbance, or even discover new species,” she said.
“And because sound can be recorded day and night, in remote or murky waters, it offers a low-impact way to track changes in aquatic ecosystems.
“We’ve only just started to explore freshwater sound; making this tool publicly available and free means more people can get involved, ask questions, and hopefully make new discoveries.”
There is a common misconception that legionella is only found in air conditioners and water towers, however, Griffith University research has found people are likely exposed to the bacteria through other sources including through soil.
Associate Professor Lara Herrero
Associate Professor Lara Herrero from Griffith’s Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics tested blood donor serum from Queensland donors to see if they were exposed to legionella bacteria which leads to Legionnaire’s disease, a serious form of pneumonia.
“We tested 1000 samples of blood, 500 from 2016 and 500 from 2023, to see if donors had antibodies against the bacteria,” Associate Professor Herrero said.
“These two windows of time were critical as Queensland observed an increase in Legionnaire’s disease cases in 2021-2022.
“The research assessed seroprevalence, or the level of pathogen in a population, as 2016 and 2023 represented before and after the higher incidence rate.”
The research found while Legionella prevalence remained stable, L.pneumophila, commonly found in air conditioning vents had decreased, while L. longbeachae (more commonly found in soil) had increased.
This is consistent with public health case numbers which show Legionellosis caused by L. longbeachae has dominated cases in the past five years.
“We know that L. longbeachae is prevalent in soil, so we should be aware of the possible exposure risk, especially when it comes to potting soils,” she said.
“We can all take measures to minimise our exposure when gardening or using potting soil such as wearing a mask.
“It is especially important for vulnerable individuals such as the elderly, immunosuppressed, or those with co-morbidities to take particular care.”
Legionnaire’s disease is an urgent notifiable condition which presents as a febrile illness or pneumonia, which may be severe.
Symptoms include fever, chills, cough, and shortness of breath.
Humans contract the infection via inhalation and is not spread from person to person.
Although relatively uncommon, Legionnaire’s disease may be life-threatening and is thought to be responsible for approximately five to 15 per cent of all community-acquired pneumonias.
The paper ‘Seroprevalence of antibodies against legionella species in North Eastern Australian blood donors, 2016 and 2023’ has been published in The Journal of Infectious Disease.
