The Development and Positioning of Business Related University Tourism Education

Abstract

The teaching of tourism at a higher education level has become well established in British universities, but in the UK, as elsewhere in the world, the place of tourism studies within the academic curricula remains uncertain. The paper considers the diversity and complexities of tourism studies through a categorisation of journal articles, and through an investigation of the underlying debates that have influenced the design of academic curricula in the UK. The paper concludes that tourism, at least at present, should not be regarded as discipline but as a field and that the most common approach in the UK has been to emphasise the business studies subjects. The University of Northumbria's established undergraduate travel and tourism management course is presented as a case study of this approach to the subject field.     

Understanding Motivations,Inhibitors, and Facilitators of Association Members in Attending International Conferences

Abstract

This study examined the motivations, inhibitors, and facilitators that influence association members in attending international conferences. Mailed questionnaires were sent to conference participants of the 2000 International Council of Hotel, Restaurant Industry Educators (CHRIE) conference. It was found that “Sightseeing,” “Self-enhancement,” and “Business and association activities” are the underlying dimensions of the conference motivations. The underlying dimensions of conference inhibitors are “Conference and personal constraints” and “Distance, time, and money.” The study also revealed that “Affordability and availability of time,” “Family/spouse,” and “Distance and ease of access” are major conference facilitators.     

Curriculum Development in International Convention and Conference Management at Meio University,Okinawa, Japan

Abstract

Many factors, political, economical, and environmental, are conducive to the introduction of a specialized convention and conference management curriculum in Okinawa, Japan. Recent changes in the Japanese government's industrial policies to expand and reinforce the Okinawa Free Trade Zone by 2005 is one such factor. To handle this increase, Okinawa will require an infrastructure that will support and maintain this expansion, which includes educating the workforce with a sound convention and conference university curriculum in Okinawa. Therefore, this study documents the process and results of a convention and conference management curriculum development endeavor between Meio University in Nago, Okinawa, Japan, and the University of Houston in the United States.     

The Evolution of Human Sigma

Different quality management concepts, including Six Sigma, have been applied by many different types of organizations. Although much important work has been documented regarding Six Sigma, a number of questions remain concerning the applicability of these concepts in various organizations and contexts. Currently, limited research has been conducted on the Human Sigma approach. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to analyse the principles and philosophies of Human Sigma and its relationship to Six Sigma through a systematic review of the literature. It is suggested that this in turn will lead to a better understanding of the Human Sigma approach and ultimately bridge the gap in the literature. Therefore, the paper argues that much can be learned from the principles and practices of Six Sigma, however the discussion further provides an assessment of the Human Sigma principles and their potential suitability to tourism businesses. In particular, specific similarities and differences concerning areas such as methodologies, tools, and results are presented in this article.     

Drivers of Taiwan’s Tourism Market Cycle

This paper examines the business cycle of tourism market (BCTM) in Taiwan. It begins by studying the BCTM based on a Markov regime-switching (MRS) model. The MRS model reveals strong evidence of a regime-switching BCTM with two distinct regimes: a high-growth regime (HGR) and a low-growth regime (LGR), over the period from 1st quarter of 1969 to 1st quarter of 2011. The second step is to examine the driving forces of the BCTM. Specifically, the study identifies the factors that cause the tourism market to stay in the high-growth regime (HGR). Test results show that the growth rate of gross domestic product (GDP), growth rate of exports, and inflation rate are significant drivers of the BCTM in Taiwan.     

Turning entrepreneurs into intrapreneurs: Thomas Cook,a case-study

The purpose of this paper is to understand how Thomas Cook can turn Entrepreneurs into Intrapreneurs by: looking at the intrinsic and extrinsic motivators as well as the factors in a corporate environment that are conducive to, and act as barriers against entrepreneurial behaviour. A case study approach was adopted. Interviews were carried out with, amongst others, entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs in Thomas Cook.It was found that Entrepreneurs and Intrapreneurs have complementary skills, particularly in navigating a corporate political environment. With top level sponsorship and support, they achieve their goals by sometimes breaking rules. Connecting the Entrepreneurs and Intrapreneurs to engage with each other, and utilising their skills for bigger and wider challenges, provides development opportunities for both groups. Due to an embargo, the paper refers to research carried out in the late 2000's.     

加强高校的国防教育是培养高素质人才的必然要求

国防是国家生存发展的安全保障,高校是培养高素质人才的重要基地,国防教育是素质教育的重要内容,国防素质是高素质人才应有的素质,加强高校国防教育是培养高素质人才的必然要求。     

Information search behavior of Hong Kong's inbound travelers‐a comparison of business and leisure travelers

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the information search behavior of Hong Kong's inbound tourists, in particular business and leisure travelers. The study clearly shows that business and leisure travelers demonstrate different information search behavior. ‘Personal experience,’ ‘Travel agency/tour company,’ ‘Airlines’ and the ‘Internet’ are most frequently relied upon by business travelers in searching for travel information, while leisure travelers prefer ‘Travel agency/tour company,’ ‘Friends or relatives,’ ‘Travel guide books,’ and ‘Personal experience.’ The study also reveals that the total number of information sources used and the length of pre‐trip planning lead‐time are significantly different between these two groups of travelers. First time travelers also have a longer pre‐trip planning lead‐time than repeat travelers. Furthermore, business and leisure travelers perceive the levels of influence of several information sources, including ‘Corporate travel departments,’ ‘Friends or relatives,’ ‘Travel guide books,’ and the ‘Internet,’ differently. These information sources were classified into five different dimensions, including ‘Media,’ ‘Neutral,’ ‘Retail,’ ‘Interpersonal,’ and ‘Personal experience.’ Analysis based on travelers' purpose for traveling and demographic information was performed. Leisure travelers perceive the level of influence of ‘Neutral’ sources as significantly higher, and those with lower household incomes perceived the level of influence of ‘Personal experience’ as lower. The results of this study will allow marketers in Hong Kong to better understand travelers’ information search behavior so that they can more effectively tailor their marketing strategies to these two major markets.     

Thailand as a tourist destination: Perceptions of international visitors and Thai residents

In the tourism industry, the perceptions of a tourist destination are critical to its image. Image can be either a mental image of a product created by a marketing department or an associative image of a product that is developed by the consumer. Tourism destinations must be careful about their image so the perception that they have is not different from the way that they are perceived by potential travelers. This study examines the perceptions of international visitors and Thai residents on the image of Thailand as a tourist destination. International visitors and Thai residents were both surveyed to determine their perceptions of the image of Thailand. Some results of the study found that Thai residents and international visitors felt cultural sightseeing, friendly people and food were significantly important when thinking of Thailand as a tourist destination, while international visitors felt that nightlife and entertainment were significantly more important than that of Thai residents.