2019 Research Seminars
The School of Tourism and Hospitality Management
The University of the South Pacific
Research Seminar No. 15
Researching community-based tourism: questions of empowerment and fieldwork challenges
Speaker: Dr. Claudia Dolezal
Date: Thursday, 17 January, 2019
Time: 4-5pm
Venue: STHM tutorial room
Abstract
Community-based tourism (CBT) is an alternative form of tourism that emerged out of bottom-up development efforts and is widely used by governments, NGOs and development agencies to foster community empowerment and development. Particularly in the developing world it is seen as a type of tourism that is aimed at ‘making an impact’ on socio-economic, environmental and political levels. However, it also comes with challenges: the empowerment hopes attached to CBT often do not materialise in reality, considering the ambiguous power relations between community members as well as other stakeholders. Part of this complex picture of power relations is also the researcher, particularly when conducting ethnographically orientated fieldwork. This presentation therefore offers a critical reflection on notions of community empowerment in CBT – both on hopes and realities – as well as the challenges and limitations of fieldwork in foreign fields.
Biography
Dr. Claudia Dolezalis a Lecturer in Tourism at the University of Westminster and editorial board member of the Austrian Journal of South-East Asian Studies (ASEAS). Her background is in tourism, international development and social anthropology, with a geographical focus on Southeast Asia, and most recently London. Claudia’s research interests focus on tourism and social inequalities, tourism for development and community-based tourism.
The School of Tourism and Hospitality Management
The University of the South Pacific
Research Seminar No. 16
Economic Development in SIDS – Theory and Practical Cases
Speaker: Dr. Tetsuo Umemura
Date: Monday, 18 January, 2019
Time: 5-6pm
Venue: STHM tutorial room
Abstract
This presentation gives an overview of Economic Development in SIDS and how tourism contributes. The presentation will give an overview of the characteristics of SIDS, then look at economic and social effects of tourism, such as the economic multiplier, trickle-down effect and leakages. External factors (events) affecting tourism will also be discussed. Case studies such as Okinawa in Japan, Palau, Fiji and Guam will be used as examples. Finally, the recent tourism development of Japan will be briefly explained.
Biography
Dr. Tetsuo Umemura is a Professor, Vice-dean and Head of Department of International Development and Cooperation (DIDC), Graduate School of International Development (GSID), Nagoya University. He worked for University of the Ryukyus (Okinawa, JAPAN) from 2001 to 2012. His current research interests are “Globalization and International Economics”, “Economic Development and Tourism in SIDS” and “Okinawan Economy”. 1988 to 1990, he worked as a statistician for the fisheries department (Lami), Ministry of Primary Industries, Republic of Fiji under JICA. He was an economist for the World Bank (Washington D.C.) from 1994 to 1996 to analyze the globalization of the international trade. He was the establishing member for the tourism related faculty (2005) and graduate school (2009) in University of the Ryukyus, those are the first tourism related faculties in Japanese National University. He also designed and conducted several tourism related workshops in JICA Okinawa for government officials from Oceanian SIDS. Currently, he is a member of the academic interdisciplinary team to study Pacific Island Nations.
Dr. Umemura presenting his work
STHM HoS Professor Pratt congratulating Dr. Umemura on his presentation
The School of Tourism and Hospitality Management
The University of the South Pacific
Research Seminar No. 17
Topic 1: Process of Internship and Development in Department of Tourism Studies
Speaker: Inna Bentsalo
Date: Monday, 18 March, 2019
Time: 5-6pm
Venue: STHM tutorial room
Abstract
Ms Bentsalo will focus on Internship process and development during the last 8 years in UT Pärnu College (Tourism Department). She will talk about the following:
- Documentation, instructions during Internship and link to the curriculum;
- Selection process for Internship
- How supports university a student to find a suitable placement? (examples of UT Pärnu College experiences)
- Cooperation between university and company (as internship place)
- Importance of a supervisor
- Internship in Estonia and abroad (partners, tasks, Erasmus programme)
- Internship’s evaluation (achievement of learning outcomes)
Biography
Ms Inna Bentsalo is an Internship Specialist, Eramus Programme Coordinator in UT Parnu College. She has Applied higher education in Tourism and Hotel Management, Master degree in Wellness and Spa Service Design and Management. During her studies in the university, she has gained experience from her internship in different hotels (spa hotels), travel agency, recreation centre, tourism information centre (most of the placements in tourism field). In addition one Internship abroad – in USA (in Atlanta, Georgia) for 5 months. Prior to working in the University she was working in a Spa and Conference hotel (in sales Department, as sales and reservation manager).
Topic 2: “Services – how to design them?”
Speaker: Ms Marit Piirman
Abstract
What is service design? Why is it important to design services? How service design methodology is used in a process of teaching tourism students at the University of Tartu Pärnu College?
Biography
Ms Marit Piirman, is an Assistant in Tourism Services, with an MBA Tourism studies. Research have been important part of her life since 2011, when she started her studies as a Hotel and Tourism Management student at the University of Tartu Pärnu College. Marit received her Masters degree in Service design and management on the year 2016. Before her academic life, she worked as a baker-confectioner, a guide on the island of Crete (in Greece), a travel consultant, an AuPair and a journalist. At the university her jobs have included a position of project manager, internship coordinator and a lecturer. Ms Piirman teaches Tourism service design and Destination marketing.
Estonian colleagues with STHM staff and students.
Ms Bentsalo and Ms Piirman congratulated on their presentation