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Clocktower clockWednesday, 8 February 2017

It is time for big ideas and re-thinking the field of tourism as the world enters the current era of autonomous vehicles, disestablishment of the political system, the sharing economy, the impact of visitor congestion at UNESCO places, and changes at destinations because of climate change.

Big ideas is the theme of the 27th Council of Australasian Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE) conference, hosted for the first time by the Department of Tourism at the University of Otago Business School.

The Council for Australasian Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE) represents the interests of higher education providers in tourism, hospitality and events education.

The conference, being held at the St David Lecture Theatre, University of Otago from February 8-10, deals with the important issues confronting the future of tourism, hospitality and events research and education.

Over 270 people have registered already, well in excess of expectations.

Conference Convenor, Dr Sebastian Filep, from the University of Otago Tourism Department, is thrilled at the record number of attendees and presentations.

The programme schedule contains 224 full and working papers with eight concurrent sessions and international delegates from New Zealand, Australia, Asia, Africa, UK and Europe, and North America.

“Knowing what will happen tomorrow has always fascinated human-kind, whether they are short term forecasts about international arrivals to a country, or scenarios about climate change,” he said.

“The idea of the “big ideas” theme is to challenge and inspire tourism educators and researchers, sharing and debating information about staying ahead of the current tourism industry practice.”

A range of international and national speakers will be providing academic and industry perspectives on matters including ethics and sustainability. Keynote speakers include:

  • Professor Pauline Sheldon, Professor Emerita at the University of Hawaii's School of Travel Industry.
  • Professor Brian King, Associate Dean (Executive Education and Partnership) and Professor School of Hotel and Tourism Management, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
  • Ms Lesley Immink, Chief Executive of the Tourism Export Council of New Zealand.

One conference topic includes a presentation from the Risk, Crisis and Recovery Management Special Interest Group (SIG) on the Kaikoura Earthquake Recovery Plan undertaken for the NZ Government. This will provide background for a discussion on tourism disaster response and recovery challenges and research needs.

Dunedin City Council Councillor Aaron Hawkins is the MC for the Conference.

For more information please contact:

CAUTHE conference organisers
Email: Cauthe2017@otago.ac.nz

A list of Otago experts available for media comment is available elsewhere on this website.

Electronic addresses (including email accounts, instant messaging services, or telephone accounts) published on this page are for the sole purpose of contact with the individuals concerned, in their capacity as officers, employees or students of the University of Otago, or their respective organisation. Publication of any such electronic address is not to be taken as consent to receive unsolicited commercial electronic messages by the address holder.

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