The two-year course develops future adventure tourism managers by blending business management and leadership skills with practical work experience and adventure education.
The diploma sparked interest in New Zealand and overseas, with about 70% New Zealand and 30% international students completing the first course.
The graduands will officially mark the end of their time at QRC at the Millennium Hotel tomorrow, along with 24 Diploma of Hospitality students.
Deputy Prime Minister and Clutha-Southland MP Bill English will attend as the official guest of honour, presenting each student with their diploma and giving the official graduation address.
Based in the resort, every student in the Adventure Tourism Management course received six months' fully paid industry training with an adventure tourism business.
This year, as a result of a new strategic partnership between QRC and NZSki Ltd, a specifically developed intake of students with a snow industry focus would be guaranteed work placement at Coronet Peak, the Remarkables or Mt Hutt for a winter season.
The diploma was developed by the college in consultation with Queenstown's hospitality and adventure tourism industry leaders and was evolving in line with industry trends.
An industry advisory board regularly critiqued it to ensure relevancy and accuracy.
QRC Head of Tourism Dr John Cossens said he was delighted with the calibre of the graduating students, which ensured the future of the industry was in good hands.
"After teaching and getting to know these students, I feel confident in saying that New Zealand's adventure tourism future certainly looks bright, with the wealth of very talented and motivated young people going out into the workforce.
"I think they will really make a difference to our industry both here and overseas."
Ngai Tahu Tourism Southern Region operations general manager David Kennedy said the students were a credit to QRC and an asset to the community and industry.
"We've had several students work for us at Shotover Jet and Dart River Jet Safaris and have been really impressed with their high standard of professionalism and commitment.
"They've all come to the business with a good understanding of the needs of tourism, and apply themselves as hardworking and effective team members."
Destination Queenstown chief executive Stephen Pahl applauded QRC, and said it provided a valuable programme which would enhance Queenstown's reputation in providing quality tourism experiences.
"Adventure tourism requires a unique set of skills and training so it's great to see an educational facility working closely with industry to deliver such a relevant programme. It will go a long way to future-proofing Queenstown's and New Zealand's tourism.
"We're known as the adventure capital of the world, so it's appropriate that we develop and nurture the next generation of adventure tourism professionals," he said.
Mr Pahl said the curriculum mirrored industry standards to ensure the students were trained with the most up-to-date and relevant information in workplace standards.
Those who had achieved QRC's Diploma of Adventure Tourism Management could go on to a bachelor degree, in British Columbia, at Thompson Rivers University, Canada's leading specialist in adventure tourism education and training.
