University hosts first symposium to tackle political realities of tourism

01.09.2004

The continuing growth of tourism, along with rapidly shifting positions in regional alliances and politics since 9/11, has exposed potential tourists to a bewildering array of images, destinations, and decisions.

The implications of the heightened political dimension in tourism will be explored in Tourism, Politics and Democracy - the 3rd International Symposium on Tourism - hosted by the University of Brighton on its Eastbourne campus on 9-10 September.

Professor Peter Burns, the conference convener, said :

"This is the first event of its kind to focus on the essential but largely ignored area of politics in tourism and delegates from around 20 countries are expected to attend. We are looking forward to some lively and controversial debates about the nature of tourism and the political processes that frame it."

The symposium is organised by the University's Centre for Tourism Policy Studies (www.centops.org) in the School of Service Management. It will tackle a range of topical issues - for example, how tourism and its related industries are to deal with mobility, borders and the politics of exclusion (migrants versus tourists), the impact of increased travel security measures, and the relationships between 'hosts' and guests'.

A highlight of the two-day gathering will be a presentation by Professor Emmanuel de Kadt, one of the most powerful international influences on tourism and development thinking, whose address will explore the issues of globalisation and fundamentalism.

He will be joined by distinguished speakers Professor C. Michael Hall, Head of the Department of Tourism, University of Otago, New Zealand; Professor Linda Richter Professor of Political Science, Kansas State University, USA; and Professor Tom Selwyn, Professor of Anthropology, International Institute for Culture, Tourism and Development.

For further information go to : www.brighton.ac.uk/ssm/sympo2004

Contact:
Pat Herbert, University of Brighton, Marketing & Communications
phone 01273 643226

 

Professor C.Michael Hall also holds an honorary professorship with Stirling University, Scotland and is a Senior Research Fellow of the New Zealand Natural Heritage Foundation at Massey University. His book Tourism and Politics: Policy, Power and Place was published to widespread acclaim.

Professor Linda Richter has research interests in South and Southeast Asia and has published widely, including two books on the politics of Asian tourism.

Professor Tom Selwyn is a founder member of Tourism Concern. His research focuses on tourism in less developed countries, especially Mediterranean tourism and regeneration.

 

 

Contact: Marketing and Communications, University of Brighton, 01273 643022