Kim Williams

Short Study Tours Abroad: Internationalizing Business Curricula

One constructive strategy for internationalization of higher education curricula is to include a study tour abroad within the course offerings. The focus of this research was to investigate if students perceived a difference in their interpersonal attitudes towards host and home cultures after completing a two-week study tour in Bordeaux, France. Semi-structured interview were employed to identify this factor, as well as (i) the motivation to participate; (ii) satisfaction with the delivery expectations; and (iii) to establish if this mode of delivery facilitates effective knowledge acquisition and enhanced learning. The findings indicate that students undertaking a short study tour abroad perceived positive changes in terms of cultural awareness and interpersonal attitudes. Recommendations are made and the findings provide a foundation for encouraging tertiary institutions to have a greater participation in, and commitment to, this experiential learning activity in order to embed and enrich internationalization in teaching and learning in future tertiary education business curricula.

Examining education qualifications for Australian vocational education practitioners

This paper addresses the practice of professional development within the vocational education and training (VET) arena. The study objective was to explore appropriate education qualifications for Australian VET practitioners in the tourism and hospitality sector required for effective teaching practice. The study was conducted utilising qualitative research techniques. The investigation concentrated on a case‐study context of VET practitioners currently working within a department of tourism and hospitality at a number of Australian VET registered training organisations. Interviews were conducted with 10 front‐line teaching practitioners and four management heads of department. Results of the study indicated that a career VET practitioner should demonstrate a commitment to professionalism by completing a higher education qualification.

Australian Wine Tourism: Establishing a Career Path at the Cellar Door

Wine tourism in Australia has grown substantially in recent years and contributes to employment opportunities in regional areas. To meet the requirements of this growing sector, workers need a considerable degree of skill-specific training; development of wine tourism personnel will be required. This article examines challenging human resource issues associated with the potential labour pool in wine regions in Australia. It raises issues about professional development through the implementation of training and assessment strategies to achieve a growth in the professionalism of cellar-door employees and thus provide a professional career pathway for Australian wine tourism personnel.

Dancesport in Australia: sport tourists' behaviour and patterns

This research examines the relationship between sport, dance events and tourism. Audience members at a dancesport event in Melbourne, Australia were interviewed to determine why they attended and whether they considered themselves to be tourists. The study found that there were differences between types of audience members in respect to their personal sport, travel and tourism-related behaviour, their motivation to attend the sports event activity and the facilities they expect at the venue. The study revealed that the audience members exhibit many similar characteristics to other sports fans and the implications for dancesport event managers are discussed.

The Use of Social Media in the Wine Event Industry: A Case Study of the High Country Harvest in Australia

This chapter explores the use of social media by the wine event industry as a platform to increase customer interest and more importantly, patronage to wine events. Using the High Country Harvest in Victoria, Australia, as a case study, we consider which social media are utilized to promote this festival based on the platforms identified by Wollan, Smith, and Zhou’s research in 2010 plus vblogs. The chapter concludes by identifying the considerations for social media adoption of a wine event being cost, expansion, user knowledge, ease of use, longevity, and dynamic content. It also highlights official website promotion through Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube as the preferred social media channels due to the perceived usage by Australian audiences and potential visitors to wine events.

Exploring the contribution of public art to the tourist experience in Istanbul, Ravenna and New York

The appeal of art within the tourist experience is often associated with works of art in galleries and museums. The attraction of art, including architecture, which is found in urban public spaces, such as parks, churches and squares and is largely not interpreted for visitors, receives less attention, despite its ubiquitousness in cities around the world. This article explores the role of public art in the tourist experience using comparative case studies of Istanbul, Ravenna and New York to frame the discussion. Findings suggest that the lack of formal interpretation of public art does not necessarily diminish but may in fact enhance the tourist experience, especially for those tourists open to discovery and exploration.

A Profile of Cellar Door Personnel: An Exploratory Case Study Analysis of Two Australian Wine Regions

This exploratory study investigated the profile of cellar door personnel working in two wine districts in Australia, the Yarra Valley, Victoria, and the McLaren Vale, South Australia. The project examined the demographic profile, employment relationships, career mobility, and the perceived skills and knowledge essential for cellar door or tasting room personnel. The study findings provide an insight into who is employed in these regions, while contributing to a better understanding of human resource patterns of wine tourism personnel. A richer understanding of current human resource patterns will assist in reducing the complexity associated with attracting, training, and retaining quality personnel in the wine tourism sector.