Dr Willem Coetzee, Tourism staff profiles, Department of Tourism, University of Otago, New Zealand

Senior Lecturer

Office OBS 9.04
Email willem.coetzee@otago.ac.nz

Background

For 18 years (1996–2014) Willem worked in South Africa, where he was committed to addressing social problems in developing countries through international research collaborations and capacity-building grants. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Centre for Sustainable Tourism and was the Director for the first four years until 2014.

During his time in South Africa, Willem was an Associate Professor at TUT, and the acting Head of Department at VUT, and a conference and resort manager for a regional service council. While in South Africa, Willem developed and taught several sustainable tourism development papers (subjects) at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels and worked with regional and local governments to help formulate tourism strategies.

In 2015 Willem immigrated to New Zealand, and for the first five years, he has been the Director of the Master of Tourism degree at Otago. His research focuses on (i) resilience of the hotel industry in water-stressed destinations and the SDGs, (ii) visitor and resident experiences at events and (iii) LGBTQIA+ tourism and events. As an expert in tourism and event management, he has supervised 18 Doctoral students and 14 research masters students, and examined several dissertations.

Willem served on conference organising committees, organiser of PhD workshops, Editor and Editor in Chief for Tourism Journals, Editorial Boards and reviewer for several journals. Currently, he is the co-host of the 2023 World Leisure Conference. His academic publications received over 20,000 reads, an h‑index of 15, and almost 1,000 citations on Google Scholar.

Google Scholar – Willem Coetzee

Teaching

Course coordinator for:

TOUR 103 Introduction to Hospitality
TOUR 304 Conference and conventions management
TOUR 426 Event Management

Research interests

Based on his core research enquiry line of sustainable tourism and event management, Willem has been involved in several projects focusing on attendees’ experiences, responsible hotels in water-stressed destinations, and LGBTQIA+ leisure and events.

Supervision

Willem has supervised 13 doctoral students, 14 research masters students and 11 taught masters students to completion. Most of them address issues around sustainable tourism or event management.

Current PhD supervision

ISLAM, Saiful. Community-based Tourism and its Impact on Sustainable Community Development: A Global Comparative Study to Assess the Viability.
NGUYỄN Thị Phương Thuý. Green nudges: application of behavioural insights in fostering energy and water-saving practices in small and independent hotels in Vietnam.
NAYAK, Naresh. P. Strategy and Implementation plan for water conservation Management in star category hotels in New Zealand.
RAMYAR, Meysam. Towards more sustainable tourism through stakeholders’ understanding.

Recent PhD completions

Montira Intason: The interplay between a hallmark cultural event, tourism, and commercial activities: A case study of the Songkran Festival in Thailand.
Chen Zuyao: Antecedents and consequences of theme park tourists’ satisfaction with IP as a moderator: An empirical study on Wuhu Fantawild.
Easnin Ara: An Investigation into the Relationship between Ethnic Tourism and the Tradition of Ethnic Handicrafts in Rural Bangladesh.
Leonardo Nava: Spatio-temporal patterns of camping in New Zealand.
Shahab Pourfakhimi: Online reviews impact on consumers’ behaviour toward hotel selection factors.
Abrar Faisal: Exploiting the redefined values of sustainable business opportunities: a critical case study of the post-earthquake hospitality industry in Christchurch.

Funded research projects

Many of Willems’ research reports and publications were industry-funded (over NZ$130,000), influenced stakeholders, and presented at peer-reviewed conferences. He explored social issues at mega-events (e.g. 2010 FIFA World Cup), attendee experiences at hallmark events (e.g. music festivals) and sustainable tourism in small towns, and his research influenced three tiers of government (e.g. visitor surveys for the National Zoological Gardens; supply and demand reports to a Provincial Tourism Authority; and an accommodation survey to inform the Local Government of Pretoria). Recently funded projects included the following:

A water resilience model for the hospitality and events industry in New Zealand.
A resilience model for the hospitality and events industry in a water-stressed destination.
Investigating the relationship between engagement and perception of wellbeing at local sporting events.
Feasibility study for a summer luge in Naseby, New Zealand. Consultancy report for the Naseby-Trust.
Visitor experiences at the New Zealand Masters Games.
Visitor satisfaction report for the Dunedin Craft beer and food festival.
Partnership to Strengthen Teaching, Research, Service and Faculty Development in Tourism Management between SA and the USA.
Visitor perceptions of the 2012 Joy of Jazz Festival, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Residents and visitors study post-World Cup.
FIFA World Cup: Visitors’ perspectives in nine host cities.
FIFA World Cup: Tshwane / Pretoria residents’ perspectives before the Event.
Visitor demand analysis for the small town of Cullinan, South Africa. Research report for Regional Tourism Authority.
Tourism supply analysis for the small-town Cullinan, South Africa. Research report for Regional Tourism Authority
Visitor perceptions of the National Zoological Gardens in Pretoria.
Pretoria Accommodation survey and quarterly monitoring system

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Publications

Goh, S., Morellato, M., Faisal, A., & Coetzee, W. (2022). Serious volunteers beyond the 36th America's Cup. Proceedings of the 31st Annual Council for Australasian Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE) Conference: Shaping the Next Normal in Tourism, Hospitality and Events. (pp. 41). [Abstract]

Ara, E., Tucker, H., & Coetzee, W. J. L. (2022). Handicrafts-enacted: Emplacing non-human agency in ethnic tourism. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Management, 50, 345-354. doi: 10.1016/j.jhtm.2022.01.008

Nava, L., Carr, N., Miller, A., & Coetzee, W. (2022). Redefining ‘freedom camping’ in New Zealand: The role of the Rugby World Cup. Annals of Leisure Research, 25(1), 138-157. doi: 10.1080/11745398.2020.1818591

Coetzee, W. (2021, September). Re-thinking the skills set of event management students. Verbal presentation at the Association for Tourism and Leisure Education and Research (ATLAS) Annual Conference, Online.

Cuffy, V. V., Bakas, F., & Coetzee, W. J. L. (Eds.). (2021). Events tourism: Critical insights and contemporary perspectives. London, UK: Routledge, 268p.

Edited Book - Research

Bakas, F., Coetzee, W. J. L., & Cuffy, V. V. (2021). Events tourism: An overview. In V. V. Cuffy, F. Bakas & W. J. L. Coetzee (Eds.), Events tourism: Critical insights and contemporary perspectives. (pp. 3-10). London, UK: Routledge.

Chapter in Book - Research

Faisal, A., Albrecht, J. N., & Coetzee, W. J. L. (2021). Quake aftermath and conference industry transformation, Christchurch. In V. V. Cuffy, F. Bakas & W. J. L. Coetzee (Eds.), Events tourism: Critical insights and contemporary perspectives. (pp. 125-142). London, UK: Routledge.

Chapter in Book - Research

Pourfakhimi, S., Duncan, T., Ould, L., Allan, K., & Coetzee, W. (2020). Acceptance and adoption of etourism technologies. In Z. Xiang, M. Fuchs, U. Gretzel & W. Höpken (Eds.), Handbook of e-Tourism. (Online ed.) Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-05324-6_58-1

Chapter in Book - Research

Journal - Research Article

Hermann, U. P., Lee, C., Coetzee, W., & Boshoff, L. (2021). Predicting behavioural intentions of Craft Beer Festival attendees by their event experience. International Journal of Wine Business Research, 33(2), 254-274. doi: 10.1108/ijwbr-05-2020-0019

Journal - Research Article

Intason, M., Coetzee, W., & Lee, C. (2021). The co-creation of the Songkran festival in Thailand and the co-destruction of its cultural significance. Event Management. Advance online publication. doi: 10.3727/152599521X16367300695708

Journal - Research Article

Intason, M., Coetzee, W., & Lee, C. (2021). The development, implementation and challenges to water-saving practices in a water-stressed destination: A case study of the Songkran Festival, Thailand. International Journal of Event & Festival Management, 12(3), 279-296. doi: 10.1108/IJEFM-10-2020-0065

Journal - Research Article

Intason, M., Lee, C., & Coetzee, W. (2021). Examining the interplay between a hallmark cultural event, tourism, and commercial activities: A case study of the Songkran Festival. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Management, 49, 508-518. doi: 10.1016/j.jhtm.2021.11.007

Journal - Research Article

Islam, M. S., Lovelock, B., & Coetzee, W. J. L. (2021). Liberating sustainability indicators: Developing and implementing a community-operated tourism sustainability indicator system in Boga Lake, Bangladesh. Journal of Sustainable Tourism. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/09669582.2021.1928147

Journal - Research Article

Coetzee, W. J. L., & Pourfakhimi, S. (2020). Affective engagement as a contextual dimension for predicting intentions to revisit and recommend events: A multinational comparison. Journal of Policy Research in Tourism, Leisure & Events, 12(3), 401-421. doi: 10.1080/19407963.2019.1695345

Journal - Research Article

Faisal, A., Albrecht, J. N., & Coetzee, W. J. L. (2020). (Re)Creating spaces for tourism: Spatial effects of the 2010/ 2011 Christchurch earthquakes. Tourism Management, 80, 104102. doi: 10.1016/j.tourman.2020.104102

Journal - Research Article

Faisal, A., Albrecht, J. N., & Coetzee, W. J. L. (2020). Renegotiating organisational crisis management in urban tourism: Strategic imperatives of niche construction. International Journal of Tourism Cities, 6(4), 885-905. doi: 10.1108/IJTC-11-2019-0196

Journal - Research Article

Pourfakhimi, S., Duncan, T., & Coetzee, W. J. L. (2020). Electronic word of mouth in tourism and hospitality consumer behaviour: State of the art. Tourism Review, 75(4), 637-661. doi: 10.1108/TR-01-2019-0019

Journal - Research Article

Adediran, O. J., & Coetzee, W. J. L. (2019). Expectations and realities of international students in a South African capital city. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism & Leisure, 8(2), 1-19. Retrieved from https://www.ajhtl.com

Journal - Research Article

Coetzee, W. J. L., Lee, C., & Faisal, A. (2019). Predicting intentions to revisit and recommend a sporting event using the event experience scale (EES). Event Management, 23(3), 303-314. doi: 10.3727/152599518X15403853721457

Journal - Research Article

Coetzee, W. J. L., Liu, X. N., & Filep, C. V. (2019). Transformative potential of events: The case of gay ski week in Queenstown, New Zealand. Tourism Review, 74(5), 1081-1090. doi: 10.1108/TR-10-2018-0148

Journal - Research Article

Tshipala, N., Coetzee, W. J., & Potgieter, M. (2019). Sustainable indicators for adventure tourism destinations: A case of Waterval Boven. African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation & Development, 11(5), 589-595. doi: 10.1080/20421338.2018.1552546

Journal - Research Article

Tauoatsoala, P., Coetzee, W. J. L., & Hermann, U. P. (2017). Perceptions of visitors on sustainable tourism practices in an urban nature reserve: The case of Groenkloof Nature Reserve, South Africa. African Journal for Physical Activity & Health Sciences, 23(4), 608-620.

Journal - Research Article

Heere, B., Walker, M., Gibson, H., Thapa, B., Geldenhuys, S., & Coetzee, W. (2016). Ethnic identity over national identity: An alternative approach to measure the effect of the World Cup on social cohesion. Journal of Sport & Tourism, 20(1), 41-56. doi: 10.1080/14775085.2016.1175369

Journal - Research Article

Hermann, U. P., Van der Merwe, P., Coetzee, W. J. L., & Saayman, M. (2016). A visitor motivational typology at Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site. Acta Commercii, 16(1), a315. doi: 10.4102/ac.v16i1.315

Journal - Research Article

Tshipala, N. N., Boukamba, H. K., & Coetzee, W. J. L. (2016). Suppliers’ perceptions of the significance of local community demand in sustaining township tourism in Atteridgeville. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism & Leisure, 5(2), 26.

Journal - Research Article

Heere, B., Walker, M., Gibson, H., Thapa, B., Geldenhuys, S., & Coetzee, W. (2015). Questioning the validity of race as a social construct: Examining race and ethnicity in the 'rainbow nation'. African Social Science Review, 7(1), 24-43.

Journal - Research Article

Hermann, U. P., Van Der Merwe, P., Coetzee, W. J. L., & Saayman, M. (2015). A visitor perspective of conservation management at a South African national park and world heritage site. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism & Leisure, 4(1), 17.

Journal - Research Article

Gibson, H. J., Walker, M., Thapa, B., Kaplanidou, K., Geldenhuys, S., & Coetzee, W. (2014). Psychic income and capital among host nation residents: A pre—post analysis of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Tourism Management, 44, 113-122. doi: 10.1016/j.tourman.2013.12.013

Journal - Research Article

Roberson, J., Kleynhans, C., & Coetzee, W. (2014). Perceptions of restaurateurs on quality grading. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism & Leisure, 3(1), 43.

Journal - Research Article

Tshipala, N. N., Coetzee, W. J. L., & Potgieter, M. (2014). Stakeholders willingness to apply sustainable adventure tourism indicators: A case of Waterval Boven in South Africa. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism & Leisure, 3(1), 12.

Journal - Research Article

Tshipala, N. N., Coetzee, W. J. L., & Potgieter, M. (2014). Stakeholders' views of sustainable adventure tourism indicators: A cluster analysis methodology. African Journal for Physical, Health Education, Recreation & Dance, 20(1), 40-51.

Journal - Research Article

Heere, B., Walker, M., Gibson, H., Thapa, B., Geldenhuys, S., & Coetzee, W. (2013). The power of sport to unite a nation: The social value of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. European Sport Management Quarterly, 13(4), 450-471. doi: 10.1080/16184742.2013.809136

Journal - Research Article

Hermann, U. P., du Plessis, L., Coetzee, W. J. L., & Geldenhuys, S. (2013). Local residents' perceptions of the 2010 FIFA World Cup^TM. South African Journal for Research in Sport, Physical Education & Recreation, 35(1), 25-37.

Journal - Research Article

Kaplanidou, K., Karadakis, K., Gibson, H., Thapa, B., Walker, M., Geldenhuys, S., & Coetzee, W. (2013). Quality of life, event impacts, and mega-event support among South African residents before and after the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Journal of Travel Research, 52(5), 631-645. doi: 10.1177/0047287513478501

Journal - Research Article

Walker, M., Kaplanidou, K., Gibson, H., Thapa, B., Geldenhuys, S., & Coetzee, W. (2013). "Win in Africa, with Africa": Social responsibility, event image, and destination benefits: The case of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Tourism Management, 34, 80-90. doi: 10.1016/j.tourman.2012.03.015

Journal - Research Article

Hermann, U. P., du Plessis, L., Coetzee, W. J. L., & Geldenhuys, S. (2012). Socio-economic impacts of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. African Journal for Physical, Health Education, Recreation & Dance, 18(Suppl. 3), 64-75.

Journal - Research Article

Khorommbi, K., Coetzee, W., & Geldenhuys, S. (2012). Tourism development in the catchment of Lake Fundudzi to promote sustainable development. International Journal of Action Research, 8(3), 310-341. doi: 10.1688/1861-9916_IJAR_2012_03_Khorommbi

Journal - Research Article

Tshipala, N. N., & Coetzee, W. J. L. (2012). A sustainable adventure tourism development framework for Thathevondo. Journal of Tourism & Hospitality, 1(4). doi: 10.4172/2167-0269.1000101

Journal - Research Article

Filep, S., Albrecht, J. N., Lee, C., & Coetzee, W. (2019). Special issue on CAUTHE 2017 conference: Time for big ideas? Re-thinking the field for tomorrow. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Management, 38, 159-160. doi: 10.1016/j.jhtm.2018.04.003

Journal - Research Other

Pourfakhimi, S., Duncan, T., & Coetzee, W. (2019). A critique of the progress of eTourism technology acceptance research: Time for a hike? Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Technology, 10(4), 689-746. doi: 10.1108/JHTT-08-2018-0077

Journal - Research Other

Intason, M., Coetzee, W., & Lee, C. (2019). The interplay between authenticity and commercialization in cultural festivals. Proceedings of the 28th Council for Australasian Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE) Annual Conference: Sustainability of Tourism, Hospitality & Events in a Disruptive Digital Age. (pp. 531-533). Cairns, Australia: Central Queensland University. [Full Paper]

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Lee, C., Coetzee, W., Hermann, U., & Du Plessis, L. (2018). Why should I come back? Predicting behavioural intentions of beer festival attendees by their event experience. In T. Young, G. McGinnis & P. Stolk (Eds.), Proceedings of the Council for Australasian Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE) Conference. (pp. 582-585). Newcastle, Australia: Newcastle Business School, The University of Newcastle. [Full Paper]

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Faisal, A., Albrecht, J., & Coetzee, W. J. L. (2017). The challenges of (re)gaining a sustainable business proposition post-disaster. In C. Lee, S. Filep, J. N. Albrecht & W. J. L. Coetzee (Eds.), Proceedings of the 27th Council for Australasian Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE) Annual Conference. (pp. 597-601). Dunedin, New Zealand: Department of Tourism, University of Otago. [Full Paper]

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Lee, C., & Coetzee, W. J. L. (2017). Event experience at sporting events: An assessment of the event experience scale. In C. Lee, S. Filep, J. N. Albrecht & W. J. L. Coetzee (Eds.), Proceedings of the 27th Council for Australasian Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE) Annual Conference. (pp. 163-172). Dunedin, New Zealand: Department of Tourism, University of Otago. [Full Paper]

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Coetzee, W. J. L., & Haydam, N. E. (2016). Colour association test as a target market analysis technique at an emerging destination-an exploratory study. In M. Scerri & L. K. Hui (Eds.), Proceedings of the Council for Australasian Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE) Conference: The Changing Landscape of Tourism and Hospitality: The Impact of Emerging Markets and Emerging Destinations. (pp. 999-1004). Sydney, Australia: Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School. Retrieved from http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=934950728772771;res=IELBUS

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper