Tourism Research
Members of the Tourism Group, both staff and graduate students, have wide-ranging research interests in many aspects of tourism, both within New Zealand and internationally. This research is systematic in approach, seeks to deepen knowledge of the subject, to address issues of relevance to the industry and policy-makers and to inform teaching. Current activity is centred on four major research clusters:
Structure and operations of the tourism industry
A major FRST-funded project on tourism distribution channels is complemented by other research examining diverse aspects of the tourism industry. Specific projects and interests include: tourism and transport, the structure and role of organizations, human resource management issues, volunteer management, and transaction mechanisms.
Tourism development, impacts and economics
Sustainability is a key theme underlying research on tourism and development. There is particular interest in the following areas: economic impact of tourism, competition and competitiveness, tourism modelling, planning, community participation, globalisation and the evolution of tourism.
Tourist behaviour and management
Tourist-oriented research examines such themes as: visitor management and interpretation, responsible tourism, market segmentation and visitor satisfaction.
Forms of tourism
Forms of tourism in which members of the group have specific expertise and interest include: urban tourism, cultural and heritage tourism, literary and film tourism, youth tourism, cruises and events.
Research within New Zealand has recently been carried out or is underway in the following areas: Wellington, Rotorua, Taupo, Napier, Taranaki, Picton, Kaikoura, Queenstown and Southland. International research has focused on: Malaysia, the Pacific, the United Kingdom, Australia, the USA, Spain, the OECD, British Columbia, Japan and India.
For further details see recent publications of individual staff and the list of thesis topics (link). The Tourism Group would welcome enquiries on these and related areas from research users, fellow researchers and those interested in graduate study.
Contact:
School of Management,
Victoria University of Wellington,
P.O.Box 600,
Wellington 6140.
Tel: 64 4 463 5715. Fax 64 4 463 5180
Email: douglas.pearce@vuw.ac.nz