Dawn Gibson is a Senior Lecturer of Tourism and Hospitality in the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management. She spent many years overseas living and working in London, New York and Los Angeles, and returned home to Fiji in 1991. She has been fortunate to have travelled extensively from childhood, hence her keen interest in tourism and hospitality. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Tourism Studies and Management and Public Administration, a Post Graduate Diploma in Tourism Studies, a Master of Arts in Tourism and Hospitality, and a PhD in Tourism Studies which were all awarded by The University of the South Pacific. Her PhD was concerned with the challenges indigenous owned businesses face delivering consistent quality services in the backpacker/budget accommodation sector in the Yasawas Islands in Fiji.

She also has a Postgraduate Certificate in Online and Distance Education of the Open University in the United Kingdom. She was responsible for the development of the B.Com. in Hotel Management degree programme and courses, and more recently new courses for the M.Com Tourism and Hospitality. She is also responsible for the development of print materials for Tourism and Hospitality courses and is currently working with colleagues to convert all tourism and hospitality courses to blended/online mode.

Research and Scholarly Interests

• Sustainable tourism and the challenges of indigenous/community based tourism operators. Entrepreneurship and innovation, community based tourism and beach fale tourism in Samoa. Cross-cultural management and employee empowerment, especially concerning South Pacific communities.
• Sustainable development and alternative livelihoods with a focus on increasing linkages to tourism.
• Challenges of delivering high quality consistent service.
• Online and flexible distance learning education in the South Pacific region.
• Emerging trends in South Pacific tourism with a focus on Fiji.
• Import substitution and linking agriculture to tourism, ‘farm to table’, agritourism, culinary tourism, and gastronomy.
• Retail tourism.
• Strata title and its impact on local ownership of tourism plant in Fiji.

Selected Publications & Research Papers

Refereed Journal Articles

• Gibson, D. (2013). The cultural challenges faced by indigenous-owned small medium tourism enterprises (SMTEs)in Fiji. Case studies from the Yasawa Islands. Journal of Pacific Studies, 32, 106-132.
•  Pratt, S., Gibson, D. & Movono, A. (2012). Tribal tourism in Fiji: an application and extension of Smith’s 4Hs of indigenous tourism. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, pp.1-20. DOI:10.1080/10941665.2012.717957. E-ISSN:1741-6507 Print ISSN: 1094-1665 Website: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/rapt20 Publisher: Taylor and Francis.

Book Chapters

• Gibson, D. (Accepted 2017 to be published 2018). Tourism Resources and Sustainability (Chapter 19) In Moutinhu, L., & Vargas, A. Strategic Management in Tourism (3rd ed.). CABI
• Gibson, D. (Accepted 2014). Community-based tourism in Fiji – A case study of Wayalailai Ecohaven Resort, Yasawa Island Group. In D. Harrison and S. Pratt (Eds.). Tourism in Pacific Islands: Current Issues and Future Challenges. London: Routledge.
• Gibson, D. (2014). Green tourism alleviating poverty – Community-based tourism/Ecotourism in Fiji. In M. Jiang, T. Delacy, G. Lipman, S. Vorster and R. Hawkins (Eds.), pp. 159-173, Green growth and travelism – The academic viewpoint. London: Routledge.
• Gibson, D., Pratt, S. and Movono, A. (2012). Tribe Tourism: A Case Study of the Tribewanted Project on Vorovoro, Fiji. In S. Fullagar, K. Markwell, and E. Wilson (Eds.), pp. 322-347, Slow Tourism: Experiences and Mobilities. Bristol: Channel View.
• Berno, T., Rerekura Teaurere, R., & Gibson, D. (2022 Under review). Doing it the ‘Pacific Way’: Indigenous education and training in the Pacific Islands. In R. Butler & A. Carr Handbook on Tourism and Indigenous Peoples (2^nd ed.), London: Routledge.
• Gibson, D. (Acccepted 2022). Post COVID19 Reflections of female academics and students from the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management at the University of the South Pacific – Pandemic pedagogy and the need for compassion. (Book Chapter submitted for review). FNU, Fiji.
• Sharma, K., Gibson, D., Bennion, E., & Hoerder, H. (2021). Student satisfaction with hotel management internships in the multi-cultural context of the University of the South Pacific (Chapter 19), In Ren, L., and McKercher, B. (Eds) (2021) Practical Learning in Hospitality Education. University of Queensland, DOI: 10.14264/5fed372
• Raturi, S., Gibson, D., Thomas, F., and Raturi, A. (2020). Navigating research trajectories with supervisors in the Pacific Islands. London: Routledge.
• Gibson, D. (2018). Tourism Resources and Sustainability (Chapter 19) In Moutinhu, L., & Vargas, A. Strategic Management in Tourism (3rd ed.) (pp. 315-331). CABI International. Publication delayed due to late submission of contributors.
• Gibson, D. (2015). Community-based tourism in Fiji – A case study of Wayalailai Ecohaven Resort, Yasawa Island Group. In D. Harrison and S. Pratt (Eds.), pp. 118-133, Tourism in Pacific Islands: Current Issues and Future Challenges. (Contemporary Geographies of Leisure, Tourism and Mobility). London: Routledge.

Academic Journals

• Pratt, S., Tolkach, D., & Gibson, D. (2022). Understanding Backpacker Behavior through Market Basket Analysis, Tourism Analysis. Cognizant Communication Corporation. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3727/108354222X16685569016019
• Gibson, D., Sharma, K., Stephens, M., Kuilamu, M., Hoerder, H., & Bennion, E. (2022 Revision submitted). Post COVID-19 Students’ Remote Learning Experiences from the Discipline of Tourism and Hospitality Management (DTHM) at the University of the South Pacific (USP). Journal of Pacific Studies.
• Trupp, A., Pratt, S., Stephenson, M.L., Matatolu, I., and Gibson, D. (2022). Representing and evaluating the travel motivations of Pacific Islanders. International Journal of Tourism Research, 1-14. DOI: 10.1002/jtr.2528
•   Loehr, J., Gibson, D., Buckwell, A., Vada, S., Fleming, C.,  Bibi, P., Masau, N., Hadwen, W., Powell, B., & Johnson, H. (2022) Using Q method to investigate the influence of inclusive water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) on tourists’ hotel choice in Fiji, Current Issues in Tourism, DOI: 10.1080/13683500.2022.2035699
•  Gibson, D., Vada, S., Buckwell, A., Fleming, C., Loehr, J., Bibi, P., Masau, N., Hadwen, W., Powell, B., & Johnson, H. (2022). Beyond the Air-Conditioned Boardroom: Bridging Western and Fijian Knowledge in Tourism”.  Pacific Review.
• Vada, S., Gibson, D., Buckwell, A., Fleming, C., Loehr, J., Bibi, P., Masau, N., Hadwen, W., Powell, B., & Johnson, H. (2022). Walking the talk: Investigating how hotels in Fiji may address gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) in water, sanitation and hygiene in the workplace and local communities. Accepted for CAUTHE
• Gibson, D., Yai, E., & Pratt, S. (2021). Journeying into the past to discover the potential for WWII Dark Tourism in the Solomon Islands. Journal of Heritage Tourism. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2021.1957787
• Gibson, D., Pratt, S., & Iaquinto, B. (2020). Samoan perceptions of travel and tourism mobilities – the concept of Malaga. Tourism Geographies. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616688.2020.17806322
• Gibson, D. (2019). More than smiles – employee empowerment facilitating high quality, consistent services – The Wakaya Club, Fiji. Journal of Pacific Studies, 39/1, 6-29.
• Shah, C., Gibson, D., Shah, S., and Pratt, S. (2019). Exploring a Market for Agritourism in Fiji: Tourists’ Perspective. Journal of Travel Research. JTR-19-07-61. https://doi.org/10.1080/02508281.2019.1685180
• Tyllianakis, E., Grilli, G., Gibson, D., Ferrini, S., Conejo-Watt, H., & Luisetti, T. (2019). Policy options to achieve culturally-aware and environmentally-sustainable tourism in Fiji. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 148, 107-115.

Educational / Postgraduate

• Gibson, D. (2013). Living in the Moment. Cultural challenges faced by indigenous owned budget resorts in Fiji – Case studies from Wayalailai, Yasawa Island Group (Awarded January 2014). Unpublished Phd Thesis, Suva: The University of the South Pacific.
• Gibson, D. (2004). More than Smiles – Facilitating the Delivery of High Quality, Consistent Services in Tourism and Hospitality Through Employee Empowerment in the South Pacific.    Unpublished Master’s Thesis, Suva:  The University of the South Pacific. (2004 Gold Medal for the best postgraduate thesis in Social Science/Humanities)

Working Papers

• Gibson, D. (2016). Alleviating poverty and supporting traditional lifestyles through tourism – A Case Study of Wayalailai Ecohaven Resort, Yasawa Island Group, Fiji. Suva: The University of the South Pacific. STHM Working Paper Series, (1)8.
• Gibson, D. (2016). The history and origin of backpacker travel – from tramping to flashpacker. Suva: The University of the South Pacific. STHM Research Series Working Paper (1)5.
• Gibson, D. (2016). Beyond Expectations! The Wakaya Club Fiji. A case study in service excellence. A case study in service excellence. STHM Working Paper Series, (1)7.
• Gibson, D. (2016). A discussion of sustainable tourism, ecotourism, pro-poor tourism and community based tourism. STHM Research Series Working Paper (1)6.

Learning resource publications

• Gibson, D. (2014). TS106 Introduction to Tourism Study Guide 1. Suva: The University of the South Pacific. (Revision).
• Gibson, D. (2014). TS106 Introduction to Tourism Study Guide 2. Suva: The University of the South Pacific. (Revision).
• Gibson, D. (2014). TS107 Tourism in the South Pacific Study Guide 1. Suva: The University of the South Pacific. (Revision).
• Gibson, D. (2014). TS107 Tourism in the South Pacific Study Guide 2. Suva: The University of the South Pacific. (Revision).
• Gibson, D. (2014). TS207 Marketing for Tourism and Hospitality Study Guide 1. Suva: The University of the South Pacific. (Revision).
• Gibson, D. (2014). TS207 Marketing for Tourism and Hospitality Study Guide 2. Suva: The University of the South Pacific. (Revision).
• Gibson, D. (2014). TS213 International Tourism Study Guide 1. Suva: The University of the South Pacific. (Revision).
• Gibson, D. (2014). TS213 International Tourism Study Guide 2. Suva: The University of the South Pacific. (Revision).
• Gibson, D. (2013). TS311 Sustainable Tourism Study Guide 1. Suva: The University of the South Pacific.
• Gibson, D. (2013) TS311 Sustainable Tourism Study Guide 2. Suva: The University of the South Pacific.
• Gibson, D. (2009). TS108 Dimensions of Hospitality. Study Guide 1. Suva: The University of the South Pacific.
• Gibson, D. (2009) TS108 Dimensions of Hospitality. Study Guide 2. Suva: The University of the South Pacific.
• Twining-Ward, L., & Gibson, D. (2009)   TS106 Introduction to Tourism Study Guide 1. Suva: The University of the South Pacific.
• Twining-Ward, L., & Gibson, D. (2009)   TS106 Introduction to Tourism Study Guide 2. Suva: The University of the South Pacific.
• Gibson, D. (2009) TS208 Operational Issues for Hospitality. Study Guide 1. Suva: The University of the South Pacific.
• Gibson, D. (2009) TS208 Operational Issues for Hospitality. Study Guide 2. Suva: The University of the South Pacific.
• Gibson, D. (2007). TS302 Strategic Management in Hospitality Study Guide 1. Suva: The University of the South Pacific.
• Gibson, D. (2007). TS302 Strategic Management in Hospitality Study Guide 2. Suva: The University of the South Pacific. Rao, D.R. & Gibson, D.. (2006) TS107 Tourism       in the South Pacific.  Study Guide. Suva: The University of the South Pacific.
• Gibson, D. (2006) TS108 Dimensions of Hospitality. Study Guide 1. Suva: The University of the South Pacific.
• Gibson, D. (2006) TS108 Dimensions of Hospitality. Study Guide 2. Suva: The University of the South Pacific.
• Gibson, D. (2006) TS207 Tourism Marketing Study Guide 1. Suva: The University of the South Pacific.
• Gibson, D. (2006) TS207 Tourism Marketing Study Guide 2. Suva: The University of the South Pacific.
• Gibson, D. (2006) TS208 Operational Issues for hospitality. Study Guide 1. Suva: The University of the South Pacific.