QMU Professorial lecture to propose new model for 21st Century Tourism

April 11, 2012 - PRLog -- In a lecture to be held on 24th April Professor Brian Hay, PhD Visiting Professor in the School of Arts, Social Sciences and Management at QMU, will draw on his twenty years industry experience to explore how tourism must evolve to meet market demands and the increasing expectations from both a Governmental and the wider society perspective.

Whilst the basic components of tourism are seen as a place to travel, to sleep, to eat, to drink, to be entertained and, more recently, as a place for the senses to be challenged, and is now an economic cornerstone of many countries’ future growth plans, including Scotland. Many Governments now expect tourism to assist in other activities, such as: urban and rural regeneration, economic development, job creation and some even see it as a tool for world peace and understanding. This, according to Professor Hay, has resulted in tourism losing its primary focus, that of pleasure and enjoyment.  

The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has predicted that international tourists will surpass the 1 billion mark this year and will increase to 1.8 billion by 2030, that is, some 43 million additional international tourists each year. Through an exploration of ten key trends, Professor Hay will ask if the tourism industry really understands the profound changes that are likely to impact its future development, and what this means if tourists are to continue to have free access to public goods, such as roads, national parks and museums, whilst the many benefits and profits from tourism accrue to the private sector, such as hotels, restaurants and attractions.  

When: Tuesday 24 April 2012, 5.30pm for 6pm start

Where: Halle Lecture Theatre, Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh, EH21 6UU

Booking: Booking for this lecture is essential. Please email events@qmu.ac.uk to book your place.

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