Government Boost for Practical Tourism Research

Last updated: April 2009

Media Statement

Thursday 30 April 2009 – For immediate release

Five students have been awarded $15,000 each for Masters level research into the tourism industry, the Ministry of Tourism announced today.

The scholarships are designed to build research capacity in tourism, provide research that is applicable to the industry, increase the profile of tourism research, and create stronger links between researchers, industry and the public sector.

“It’s important that we encourage academia and industry to work more closely together in tourism,” said Bruce Bassett, Ministry of Tourism Research Manager. This year we are supporting some excellent and worthwhile research projects with direct industry relevance.

The 2009 scholarship recipients are:

Claire Wilson (California State Fullerton University, USA) – Queenstown: Creating a model of sustainability;
Brian Prince (Victoria University of Wellington) – Climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies in New Zealand snow tourism;
Kate Payne (Southern Cross University, NSW) – International students as domestic tourists in New Zealand: A study of travel patterns, behaviours, motivations and economic impacts;
Justin Westgate (University of Auckland) – Brand value: the work of eco-labelling in New Zealand tourism; and
Raviv Carasuk (Lincoln University) – A comparison of supply and demand sides’ perceptions of responsible tourism operations: Qualmark Green accreditation.

Associate Tourism Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman said that the scholarships provide an excellent opportunity to foster talent in the tourism industry.

Summary research by past recipients of tourism scholarships can be found on the Ministry of Tourism’s research website, www.tourismresearch.govt/scholarships.

For further information on the tourism research scholarships contact Bruce Bassett – telephone (04) 498 7448 or email bruce.bassett@tourism.govt.nz.

ENDS

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