The School occupies a significant position within the tourism education sector, successfully bridging gaps between academia, research, consulting and industry. Its innovations and achievements have been interwoven to create an educational service that has received international recognition in the form of elite accreditations and partnerships; while the facilities and comprehensive support services it offers to its student body provide the best opportunity for their academic and professional success.
It is with much enthusiasm that I welcome you to the School of Tourism - 2009 looks to be an exciting year. Each year we enrol more than 500 students into our School and each has the opportunity to make a valuable contribution to one of Australia’s top tourism schools.
The quality and vibrancy of the School’s thirty academic and research staff also contributes significantly to the School’s competitive edge. All permanent teaching staff have PhD qualifications and can boast of valuable industry expertise and membership of networks in sectors such as destination management; tourist behaviour and visitor experiences; technology services; labour management in hospitality; and cultural diversity in event management. Staff within the School also hold leadership positions in the broader research community, evidenced by the five respected journals edited by academics from the School of Tourism.
I know that you will enjoy your experience here with the School of Tourism - we are fortunate to be based in Australia’s foremost tourism state. Queensland is home to major theme parks and the largest concentration of accommodation stock in the country as well as having a stunning natural environment which includes the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree National Park and Fraser Island.
Once again, I am delighted to welcome you to the School of Tourism at The University of Queensland.
PROFESSOR ROY BALLANTYNE
Head