Current research projects

Listed below are research projects currently in progress and their associated research output. Recently completed projects have a downloadable PDF fact sheet which contains details on how to source further information and can be found on our completed projects page.

Current research projects include;

• Evaluation of Indigenous tourism businesses mentoring programs
• Farm and Nature Tourism on Your Property
• Training needs in the tourism and hospitality industry
• Development of sustainable destinations
• The value of tourism
• NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services and Private partnerships
• Labour market issues in tourism and hospitality
• The tourism industry and Indigenous tourism

Business Ready Program for Indigenous Tourism

This three year study examines the success and failure factors associated with Indigenous tourism businesses and assists in evaluating the Commonwealth Business Ready Program for Indigenous Tourism. Contact Deborah Gale for further information. email:d.gale.10@scu.edu.au ph: 02 6626 9465

Farm and Nature Tourism on Your Property

In conjunction with the Sustainable Tourism CRC, this project provides information to make an informed decision on the viability of conducting a tourism activity on farms. Itis currently being rolled out across Australia through a series of workshops and education packages. Further information is available by clicking here, or contacting Rose Wright. email: rose.wright@scu.edu.au ph: 02 6626 9373

Training needs in the tourism and hospitality industry

Labour markets have long presented challenges to Tourism and Hospitality businesses due to factors such as high turnover, skills and labour shortages, and low wages. The Australian Regional Tourism Research Centre (ARTRC), in collaboration with the Sustainable Tourism CRC, Victoria University, University of Queensland and Griffith University will examine labour markets in regional tourism and hospitality industries through a research project entitled ‘Skills Shortages and Training Needs in Tourism and Hospitality’ in order to assess whether industry training outcomes are appropriate to current and future needs.

This project will allow researchers to gain understanding and insight into the functioning of regional tourism and hospitality labour markets, and to identify those factors which facilitate or hinder the maximisation of labour productivity. It will help identify areas where training is needed, factors which encourage and discourage industry participation and determine appropriate training strategies. The research findings will be of great benefit to businesses in these industries, allowing for a more systematic approach to training and having the potential to reduce labour costs, increase productivity and improve HR practices. Recommendations will be developed in consultation with the industry. Contact Grant Cairncross for further information. email: grant.cairncross@scu.edu.au ph: 02 6659 3617

Development of sustainable destinations

This project will involve using workshops and case studies to examine three aspects - destination development, destination marketing and destination management - in order to determine the factors that facilitate and hinder sustainable regional tourism as well as establishing a performance benchmarking system for regional tourism organisations. The principle outcome of this project will be the determination of a set of measures that can be used for ongoing benchmarking of a destination's development, management and marketing. Contact Meredith Lawrence for further information. email: meredith.lawrence@scu.edu.au ph: 02 6620 3042

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The value of tourism

In 2000, the Centre for Regional Tourism Research produced an Occasional Paper titled "Promoting awareness of the value of tourism". In conjunction with Tourism Victoria, this paper has been revised with specific emphasis on the Victorian experience. Contact Damien Jacobsen for further information. ph: 02 6620 3503

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services and private partnerships

This study investigates different partnership models between the NSW NPWS and the private sector to identify best practice in partnerships. Contact Jeremy Buultjens for further information. email: jeremy.buultjens@scu.edu.au ph: 02 6620 3382

Labour market issues in tourism and hospitality

In association with the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, this project will examine the labour outcomes in the tourism and hospitality industries. Contact Jeremy Buultjens for further information. email: jeremy.buultjens@scu.edu.au ph: 02 6620 3382

The tourism industry and Indigenous tourism

Undertaken in partnership with Tourism Queensland, this project investigates mainstream tourism business attitudes towards Indigenous participation in the tourism industry. The project also examines Indigenous tourism operators' views of the tourism industry. The aim of this research is to help determine strategies that help overcome problems with integration between Indigenous tourism operators and the mainstream industry. Contact Deb Gale for further information. email:d.gale.10@scu.edu.au ph: 02 6626 9465

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