UQ School of Tourism Brochure

SCHOOL OF TOURISM

School oF ToURISMExceptional Opportunities

mission / The mission of the School of Tourism is to produce high quality research, teaching and engagement outcomes that are recognised both nationally and internationally for their quality and relevance.

CONTENTS

introduction 01

international Reputation and Recognition 02

UQ Rankings 02

School of Tourism Memberships 02

Location and Facilities 03

Campus Location 03

Campus Life 03

Teaching and Learning 04

Undergraduate Program 04

Honours Program 04

Postgraduate Coursework 04

Research Higher Degree 04

Fields of Study 06

Work Integrated Learning 07

Engagement 09

Meet the Industry Leaders Event 09

Research Achievements 10

Research Fellowships 10

Creating Smart Travellers 11

The Gen Y Management Challenge 11

Building the ANZAC Spirit 11

Graduate success 12

Alumni 12

Graduate Profiles 13

FAsT FAcTs / School of Tourism

Established in 1972, the UQ School of Tourism is the oldest tourism school in Australia

The only tourism school in the Group of Eight (Go8)

A founding member of The International Centre of Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality Education (THE-ICE)

Study base used by world leaders in tourism research and education

Recognised for research in tourism planning, policy and visitor research

Award winning teaching and research staff with industry experience

Offers students a range of innovative work integrated learning opportunities

School of Tourism 1

Based at UQ’s renowned St Lucia campus, the School of Tourism is one of Australia’s largest dedicated providers of teaching and research programs in tourism. The School has attracted international recognition for the quality of its programs and commitment to tourism education.

The School offers a comprehensive suite of undergraduate, honours, postgraduate coursework and research higher degree programs. Our management focused undergraduate and postgraduate programs offer work integrated learning and the opportunity to liaise with industry. Our students have access to extensive support services and state-of-the-art learning spaces, as well as the opportunity to join a dedicated Tourism Student Association providing professional development activities and social events.

The School’s industry engagement team manages ongoing links to industry including guest lectures, private consultancy projects, networking events, and student industry placements as part of the Professional Development course.

Associate Professor stephen craig-smithHead, School of Tourism

Senior Accreditation Chair, Queensland Department of Education

Board Member, The International Centre of Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality Education

Research expertise within the School of Tourism focuses on policy and planning, and visitor research. Many of the School’s research and academic staff have worked in the tourism, hospitality and event industries and bring a depth of knowledge to their research. Several of our research projects have had significant impacts on government and industry policies and planning.

We are committed to continuing to explore and develop national and international collaborative links to strengthen the impact and innovativeness of our research, and to deliver the highest quality learning programs to our students who are valued by employers throughout the world.

Founded over 100 years ago, The University of Queensland is Queensland’s oldest university and one of Australia’s premier learning and research institutions. Its teachers have won more Australian Awards for University Teaching than any other Australian university, and UQ continues to be a pacesetter in discovery and translational research across a broad spectrum of disciplines.

2 UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND

UQ rankings*

48th in the QS World University Rankings

74th in the Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings. UQ was one of only four Australian universities, and the only university in Queensland, ranked in the world’s top 100

One of the top 4 universities in Australia and 86th in the world in the Shanghai Jiao Tong Academic Rankings of World Universities

Ranked 5th in the world for tourism research#

school of Tourism memberships

Australian and New Zealand Association for Leisure Studies (ANZALS)

Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC)

International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (I-CHRIE)

Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC)

The Association for Tourism and Leisure Education (ATLAS)

The Council for Australasian University Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE)

The International Centre of Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality Education (THE-ICE)

Tourism and Transport Forum Australia (TTF)

United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION AND RECOGNITION

The University of Queensland is in the top 1% of all universities worldwide, and is recognised as one of Australia’s leading research-intensive universities. It is one of the three Australian members of the global Universitas 21 alliance and a founding member of the national Group of Eight (Go8), a coalition of leading Australian universities intensive in research and comprehensive in general and professional education.

* Information correct as at 2011 # The Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research, March 2011

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LOCATIONS AND FACILITIES

campus location

The University of Queensland’s St Lucia campus is located seven kilometres from Brisbane’s city centre. Brisbane is Queensland’s capital city and enjoys sub-tropical summers and mild winters, with an average of 300 days of sunshine a year.

Brisbane is well-located to some of the most popular tourism destinations in Australia including the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and the Great Barrier Reef in north Queensland, making UQ an excellent location to study tourism and related fields.

The city is also home to major tourism organisations including Tourism Queensland, the Queensland Tourism Industry Council and Virgin Australia’s head office.

The School’s suite of work integrated learning opportunities maximise our location, with students carrying out work placements in regional tourism destinations as well as hotels, event companies and major tourism organisations in Brisbane.

campus life

The UQ St Lucia campus occupies a magnificent 114-hectare site along the Brisbane River with expansive landscaped grounds including three lakes.

The campus offers an extensive range of services and facilities such as healthcare, banking and postal services, student services, retail and food outlets, sport and recreation facilities, childcare, a cinema, book shops and weekly variety markets.

There are several artifact museums and research collections on campus, as well as the UQ Art Museum featuring Queensland’s second largest public art collection. The Social Sciences and Humanities Library is the largest library at St Lucia and houses School of Tourism research and learning resources.

Students have the opportunity to join a variety of clubs and societies catering for a range of cultural, religious, political, sporting and leisure interests. The School’s dedicated award winning Tourism Student Association aims to create a support system for students and offers social, academic and professional development opportunities.

UQ St Lucia’s renowned Great Court is on the Queensland Heritage Register as well as the Register of the National Trust of Queensland.

TEACHING AND LEARNING

Undergraduate program

Studying a Bachelor of International Hotel and Tourism Management (BIHTM) will equip students with the knowledge and skills they require for a career in the dynamic global tourism industry. The BIHTM program provides students with core business skills such as human resources, management and marketing and includes a range of compulsory courses such as Global Cultures & Tourism, Service Management in Tourism and an innovative Professional Development course providing work-integrated learning opportunities.

Dual degrees are also available and offer students an excellent opportunity to combine undergraduate qualifications in tourism, hospitality or event management with programs offered in other areas.

Honours program

The Honours program can be considered as a transitional degree from undergraduate to postgraduate studies, including Research Higher Degrees, or as a capstone year for those wanting to enter the market with higher order research skills. The program aims to facilitate the development of superior analytical and research communication skills, and to provide students with an integrated and comprehensive education and research in the areas of event management, hospitality management and tourism management.

Postgraduate coursework

The School of Tourism’s postgraduate coursework programs are designed for students wishing to study tourism, hospitality or events at an advanced level. Our innovative programs enable graduates to accelerate their careers within these industries. We offer a suite of programs designed for graduates wanting to re-orient their career in tourism related industries with current coursework and industry experiences. The School plans to introduce a specialised masters program for graduates of tourism, hospitality and events which will build upon previous education and experience to promote leadership and critical thinking for a future in project management and consultancy or research.

Research Higher Degree

The School of Tourism offers a distinguished Research Higher Degree program which attracts students from around the world. Our research students benefit from a dynamic, collegial, supportive and well resourced research environment. They undertake research that is relevant and beneficial to tourism related industries, government and society, under the supervision of experienced senior academics. Students also benefit from the School’s strong links to industry and government.

The School of Tourism offers a suite of world-class undergraduate, honours, postgraduate coursework and research higher degree programs that prepare students for a successful career in tourism related industries. Our experienced and highly qualified academic staff possess current industry knowledge across a broad range of disciplines and have received awards for teaching excellence from UQ and external bodies.



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STUDENT PROFILES

Undergraduate Postgraduate Research Higher Degree

Bachelor of International Hotel and Tourism Management

Bachelor of International Hotel and Tourism Management/Bachelor of Arts

Graduate Certificate Master of Philosophy

Graduate Diploma Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Masters

Bachelor of International Hotel and Tourism Management (Honours)

Masters (Advanced)

Tim

e

Qualification

christian Kraul-RodriguezCalifornia, USA Master of International Hotel and Tourism Management

I chose the Tourism postgraduate program at UQ over others because of the University’s reputation for excellence and the high degree of industry experience that it offers through the lecturers in the program.

My time at The University of Queensland has made a significant impact on my life. I have thoroughly enjoyed the exposure to academic research and the opportunity to interact and be taught by very professional lecturers who possess strong academic credentials, and who have a deep understanding of the areas of tourism, hospitality and events.

Brisbane is a beautiful city in the heart of Queensland and its great weather and friendly people have made my transition an easy one.”

Leah Bennetts, AlumnaAustralia Bachelor of International Hotel and Tourism Management

The BIHTM program provides final year students with many opportunities to network with industry professionals which is extremely important within the tourism, hospitality and event industries.

I enjoyed how the University felt like a large community, involving as many students as possible in extracurricular activities. I actively got involved in sport and social events which was fantastic for meeting new students and making lifelong friends which made my university experience far more memorable.”

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Tourism

Dynamic and wide-ranging, tourism is regarded as the world’s fastest growing industry. The tourism industry contributes $34 billion to Australia’s GDP and employs over 500,000 Australians directly and a further 320,000 indirectly. Studying tourism will open up a wide range of career opportunities in many and varied industry sectors, such as destination management, transport, airlines, cruise ships, attractions, travel retail and tour operations.

What will I study?

Students will learn about sustainability, ecotourism, visitor behaviour, and the physical, social and economic impacts of tourism. Current and future trends and issues for the industry, including niche markets, are discussed and students will deepen their understanding using case studies of real destinations and tourism businesses.

Hospitality

The exciting and fast-paced hospitality industry is in continuous need of managerial staff with graduate status, as tertiary education has become increasingly critical to opening career doors and being fully attuned to the culture, service and competitive aspects of the sector. The hospitality industry encompasses a range of areas including hotel and resort management, restaurant management, nightclub and casino management, cruise ships, theme parks and many others.

What will I study?

This area of specialisation takes students through a range of learning experiences, from a societal understanding of the meaning of hospitality, through to commercial contexts such as international hotel operations management, technological applications in hospitality management and large-scale services management, as well as small business operations.

Events

The fast-growing events industry has become increasingly important within the hospitality, tourism, leisure and sports sectors. Event managers can be found working on a wide range of events including weddings, conferences, product launches, music and cultural festivals, major sporting occasions, exhibitions and many more.

What will I study?

Event management explores theoretical frameworks for understanding the nature, characteristics and role of events and offers students a comprehensive and professional understanding of all aspects of event management. Students will also develop key business skills involved in the marketing, sponsorship and fundraising for events.

Fields of study

At the School of Tourism we focus on delivering industry-relevant, innovative courses that prepare our graduates for challenging and rewarding careers in the tourism, hospitality and event industries.

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Work integrated learning

The School of Tourism works with peak industry and government sectors to integrate current industry practice and knowledge into our courses. This is achieved through several flagship initiatives including:

Summer Research Internship

Holiday Inn Challenge

The Meet the Industry Leaders Event (MILE)

Professional Development opportunities including the Executive Shadowing Program (ESP), Tourism Regional Immersion Project (TRIP), and Industry Placement (IP)

Local field visits to major tourist attractions and tourism businesses, including Dreamworld, Movieworld, Boondal Wetlands, Marriott Brisbane and the Treasury Casino.

The School also offers guest lecturers throughout the year from industry leading organisations such as Tourism Australia, the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC), Tourism Queensland (TQ), Hilton Brisbane, Marriott, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and many more.

Optional practical learning activities are integrated into several of our courses and are designed to complement course theory. The Hotel Operations course offers students the opportunity to gain training and experience in Fidelio Hotel Operations Software, and students enrolled in the Food and Beverage Management course may elect to participate in a Wine Immersion Program.

Students wishing to gain international experience have the opportunity to participate in the following exciting initiatives:

Study Abroad and Exchange Opportunities through the UQ Exchange Program

Disney International Internship Program

Extended International Study Tours

United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Graduate Internship



Tourism Regional immersion Project

The Tourism Regional Immersion Project (TRIP) is a key initiative of The University of Queensland School of Tourism and local governments, regional operators and the broader community of participating host regions. Undergraduate students are competitively selected to engage in an exclusive and unique educational experience including the opportunity to live, work and interact with the broader community in a regional tourism destination. TRIP is endorsed by Queensland’s peak tourism bodies, including Tourism Queensland and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council.

Executive shadowing Program

The Executive Shadowing Program (ESP) is an integral part of the School’s Professional Development course which aims to bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical work experience. The program allows the School’s highest undergraduate achievers to undertake an exclusive placement in an industry sector of their choice, enabling them to work with a senior industry figure and to observe organisational functioning at a more strategic level. Equally, the program provides our partners with access to the School’s top graduates in tourism, hospitality and event management.

industry Placement

The tourism, hospitality and event industries consistently expect to hire graduates who have practical experience and transferable skills which can be applied to a variety of work contexts. As part of the School’s Professional Development course, Industry Placement enables career pathway planning, professional and personal development, networking and self-promotional opportunities for final year Bachelor of International Hotel and Tourism Management students.

As a Council, we have strong ties with UQ’s School of Tourism and participating in the ESP helps

to strengthen our relationship. Working with ESP students gives our Tourism Unit the opportunity

to discuss the latest marketing and product development strategies with an informed student.

Simply by explaining what we do and why also helps to crystallise some of our thought processes

and we are open to new ideas and approaches from the student. It is a mutually beneficial relationship.”

ms Janet Hewitt, Tourism Development Manager Ipswich City Council

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ENGAGEMENT

Our proactive approach toward industry and community engagement has resulted in a suite of innovative courses and real life learning activities which enrich the student experience and better prepare our graduates for life after University.

The School also retains a notable assembly of adjunct professors who represent leadership across a range of tourism-related fields both in Australia and internationally.

As the School continues to engage strategically with industry and government bodies and develop strong links with other universities and international organisations, we are committed to ensuring these links are productive and provide value to all stakeholders.

“ Employers are increasingly looking for graduates who bring a lot more than sound theory to the challenges faced in the workplace. It is a clear message that QTIC is getting from its industry members who expect degree holders who understand the ‘real’ business environment.

As an industry organisation with a strong interest in business skill development, we are very keen to support and work in partnership with the School of Tourism because of the result-focused approach to education. From a personal perspective, I have been inspired by the enthusiasm and ability of their students and I am encouraged by the fact that many have gone on to put their skills to good use in our industry.

The School of Tourism at UQ is offering students an outstanding opportunity that can give a competitive edge to anyone who picks up the challenge.

Daniel Gschwind,Adjunct Professor, School of Tourism Chief Executive, Queensland Tourism Industry Council

meet the industry Leaders Event

Since 2003, the School has hosted the annual Meet the Industry Leaders Event (MILE) exclusively for School of Tourism students. The event provides students with the opportunity to meet industry leaders and practitioners from tourism-related industries, professional associations and government organisations and gain insights and advice on career pathways and opportunities in their organisations. Industry guests have the opportunity to showcase their organisation, promote career opportunities, discuss the needs and opinions of the future workforce, and discuss the skills and requirements that are important to their organisation.

Active engagement outside the University is fundamental to the School of Tourism’s mission of excellence in teaching and research. Our engagement activities are based on the premise that learning and discovery not only require, but are synergised by engagement with industry, government, alumni and the wider community.


RESEARCH ACHIEVEMENTS

Tourism Policy and Planning centres on sustainable management with particular emphasis on a number of critical areas for tourism, including:

Climate change, sustainability, and low carbon tourism

Economic research

China tourism

Destination management

New tourism product development

Tourism marketing

Workforce development

Event planning and development

Accessible tourism and leisure

Tourism crisis and disaster recovery

Visitor Research focuses on issues related to understanding the behaviour and experiences of visitors at tourism sites, activities and events. Areas of research strength include:

Tourist/visitor characteristics and needs (e.g. motivations, perceptions, preferences and attitudes)

Visitor free-choice learning (environmental and heritage interpretation, persuasive communication)

Visitor experiences and behaviour in nature-based tourism, ecotourism, wildlife tourism, sport tourism, heritage and cultural tourism

Visitor decision-making and consumer behaviour

Visitor attractions and events

Visitors’ and tourists’ use of technology in travel contexts

Tourists risk perceptions

Cross-cultural comparisons of tourist behaviour and experiences

Benefits of travel for tourists and visitors

Specialised visitor tourism experiences (e.g. food, wine, farm, cruising, adventure, sports events, festivals)

Tourist/visitor expenditure and economic impact

The School of Tourism continues to demonstrate the value of its research through the impact it has on government and industry in the planning and policy development for the tourism industry, both in Australia and internationally.

Research Fellowships

The W.James Whyte Visiting Research Fellowship program has facilitated visits from leading tourism researchers from around the world. Visiting academics work closely with academics from the School to develop collaborations that will lead to publications and research grants that are global in focus, innovative in design and significant in outcomes.

The School of Tourism is one of Australia’s largest dedicated providers of teaching and research programs in tourism and is recognised for its research in tourism planning and policy and visitor behaviour.

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creating smart travellers

Despite significant investment in campaigns such as the Smartraveller and the Travel Doctor, outbound Australian travellers remain reluctant to change their behaviours regarding travel associated risks. Research led by Associate Professor Brent Ritchie and Dr Monica Chien aims to examine the relationship between travellers’ risk perceptions, elements of travel health and safety communications, and travellers’ cognitive responses and behavioural intentions. The results will offer useful guidelines in the strategic design of educational campaigns and assessment of communication efficacy, which will ultimately help partner organisations deliver relevant messages and encourage outbound travellers to take up health and safety preventive measures.

The Gen Y management challenge

The effective management of ‘Generation Y’ (Gen Y) in the hospitality industry has become a common industry problem. Dr David Solnet and Ms Anna Hood have addressed this issue in partnership with (former) The Hospitality Training Association, investigating the challenges of managing Gen Y hospitality employees and developing a better understanding of their work-related attitudinal and behavioural constructs. Based on their findings, the research team developed a series of practical suggestions regarding effective human resource practices that account for generational differences in employee attitudes. The suggestions were distilled into a series of ten recommendations which were published in an industry report, providing practical solutions and approaches for hospitality owners and managers.

Building the AnZAc spirit

On 25 April 2015, Australia and New Zealand will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli. Up to 50,000 people are expected to travel to Anzac Cove in Turkey to participate in the 2015 commemorations, and many more will visit War Memorials throughout Australia and New Zealand. Dr Jan Packer is leading a project designed to enable museums and tour organisers to more effectively meet the needs of these visitors. The research will also produce a better understanding of the values and attitudes surrounding the ANZAC tradition, and provide a measure of the impact of a visit to the Australian War Memorial on visitors’ understandings, attitudes and values win relation to the ANZAC tradition.


GRADUATE SUCCESS

Currently our graduates are employed in various occupations worldwide some of which include:

Senior Director, Global Accounts at Travelport

Human Resources Coordinator, Intercontinental Hotel Group

Director—Commercial Australasia, Intercontinental Hotel Group

Founder & Director of Marketing and Sales, 10X Ltd

Client Services Coordinator, Carillion Conference Management Pty Ltd

Resident Manager at Chaaya Blu, John Keells Hotels

Manager, Tourism Quality at Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism

CEO at Tourism Whitsundays

General Manager eCommerce at Flight Centre

Emigration Job Search Strategist / Managing Director at Nab That Job

General Manager at Westin Hotels & Resorts

Manager at Tricor K.K.

Alumni

Your relationship with the UQ School of Tourism does not end when you graduate. Our alumni community is here to support you and we value your association with us.

UQ’s alumni network represents a substantial and ever-increasing group of talented and influential members in the community, business and government, in Australia and abroad.

School of Tourism graduates have achieved remarkable success and are in demand in tourism, hospitality and event industries both in Australia and around the world. Our internationally recognised degrees have a strong emphasis on industry-relevant learning that is highly valued by employers.

Networking with peers and mentors can provide immense opportunities for professional and personal growth and career development.

We encourage all our valued alumni to keep in touch with the School and update their contact details regularly. Joining UQ’s online alumni community enables graduates to keep in touch with events, such as the Business, Economics, Law and Tourism Lunchtime Lecture Series, news and events and find old or new classmates.

Our alumni also have access to a wide range of on and off campus facilities, services and benefits including the UQ library, sport and recreation facilities, Customs House, the UQ Art Museum and a range of facilities for hire.

GRADUATE PROFILES

Brett ButcherChief Executive Officer, Langham Hotels International

Mr Butcher’s international hospitality management experience spans 30 years covering various leadership roles across Asia-Pacific and the USA. He started his career in 1980 after graduating with a degree in Hospitality Management from The University of Queensland.

His first position was as a trainee Restaurant Manager on the Gold Coast, Australia before becoming a trainee Hotel Manager in Boston, USA for the Sheraton Corporation. He remained with the company for 18 years, rising through the ranks from various hotel executive positions to Asia-Pacific regional roles, eventually becoming a Hotel Managing Director and Area Manager.

In 2002, Mr Butcher joined Langham Hotels International where he held several senior management positions including Senior Vice President—Sales, Marketing & Brands and Senior Vice President—Langham Place Operations. He was also the Managing Director of Langham Place, Hong Kong, overseeing the opening and initial operation of the successful hotel.

After seven years with Langham Hotels International, Mr Brett Butcher was promoted to the position of Chief Executive Officer of the innovative hotel group. With a reputation for expertise in sales and marketing, hotel start-up operations and Total Quality Management, he is responsible for the overall strategic direction and development of Langham Hotels International.

Alongside his demanding role as CEO, Mr Butcher and his family have developed a vineyard and wine brand Soumah in the Warramate foothills of the Yarra Valley in Victoria, Australia.

Leanne coddingtonAdjunct Professor, School of Tourism Executive Director—Destinations, Tourism Queensland

Ms Coddington’s extensive career in tourism and hospitality began while completing her studies at The University of Queensland before graduating in 1985 with a degree in Hospitality Management.

Her first position as a graduate was Trainee Manager with Rydges Hotels (then Greater Union Hotels Division), and later Assistant Food & Beverage Manager, followed by a position as Material Manager at The Hyatt Hotel Canberra. Over the next few years, Ms Coddington was promoted through a number of human resource positions at the Eden Hotel Corporation and Grand Hyatt Melbourne, becoming Director of Human Resources in 1994.

Ms Coddington joined Tourism Queensland in 1996 and has held senior positions in the areas of Strategic Services and Human Resource Management. In 2007, she was appointed Executive Director Destinations, overseeing Tourism Queensland’s destination management within seven tourism zones.

Currently, Ms Coddington is responsible for a number of areas including regional industry partnerships; industry innovation; business attraction; access and economics; and destination planning and design, focusing on the supply side needs and requirements to deliver on the experiences desired by potential visitors.

Ms Coddington is also an Adjunct Professor of the UQ School of Tourism, a position she has held since 2006.

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SCHOOL OF TOURISM

conTAcT Us

School of Tourism The University of Queensland Level 4, GPN3 (Building 39A) St Lucia Campus Brisbane QLD 4072 Australia

Phone: +61 7 3346 8717 Fax: +61 7 3346 8716 Email: [email protected] Web: www.tourism.uq.edu.au

Editor: Claire Shuter Design: LAMP Creative Proofing: Anthony Ash

Information correct at time of printingMarch 2012

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Documents

UQ School of Tourism Brochure