From ‘Under-Tourism’ to ‘Just-Right-Tourism’: Asian, European, American and Australian Perspectives
In partnership with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (Parks and Wildlife Services), and the Curtin Asia Business Centre.
The Tourism Research Cluster (TRC) invites you to its annual international Symposium, From ‘Under-Tourism’ to ‘Just-Right-Tourism’: Asian, European, American and Australian Perspectives.
The 2019 Symposium aims to contrast (perceived) ‘over-tourism’ in some important source markets for Western Australia (WA), such as Europe and Asia, with the at times voiced assumption of ‘under-tourism’ in WA. The Symposium will present Chinese first-hand experiences on overcrowded attraction points and European accounts on the heated ‘over-tourism’ debate, which has in some destinations even sparked residents’ violent protests against tourism. These perspectives will make the notion of ‘not enough’ visitors in Western Australia appear in a somewhat different light:
The fact that Western Australia has been only partially affected by some of the most powerful tourism waves can also become an opportunity – an opportunity to develop tourism for the greatest benefits of residents and businesses, whilst safeguarding nature and culture, and not compromising the very foundation of the attractiveness of the place. Being able to ensure ‘just-right-tourism’ can become a very strong proposition towards Asian and European markets struggling with overcrowded cities and beaches. The Symposium will discuss such pathways to ‘just-right-tourism’ from international, national and local perspectives in order to support Western Australia’s future approach to tourism development.
Join international speakers, including Prof Wall from the University of Waterloo (Canada), Prof Cristini, International University of Monaco, Prof Bao, Sun Yat-Sen University (China), Prof Pechlaner, Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt (Germany) as well as other key industry and academic experts, to learn more about current issues and research findings in the field of over- / under-tourism.
Furthermore, the Symposium will offer the opportunity to participate in a truly unique culinary experience, pop-up dining with Fervor. Savour rare, fresh and locally sourced Western Australian native foods crafted with passion by Paul Iskov and his team. Read more
Location: Curtin Perth – Room 101, Medical School (Building 410)
Driving to campus: If you plan on driving to the event, parking is available for you from 8am-10pm at Car Park PA2 (A5). To do so, please download the free CelloPark app on your smart device from either App Store (iPhone) or Play Store (Android) to register and pay for parking ($4 for full day). Click here to download the campus map
Getting to campus: For those of you not planning to drive to campus, we have a wealth of information available on the Curtin University website, including information on cycling, public transport and campus buses. Read more
Interactive campus map: To help you plan your trip to the our campus, an interactive campus map is available online
Prof Nigel de Bussy, PVC Faculty of Business & Law, Curtin University
Hon Paul Papalia, MLA – Minister for Tourism, Western Australia
Libby Mettam, MLA Shadow Minister for Tourism
08.45 – 09.00
Undertourism: Opportunities for Western Australia – Dr Michael Volgger & Prof Christof Pforr, Curtin University, WA
Session 1 – Global Trends
09.00 – 09.15
Resilient tourism development: The UNWTO Perspective – Dr Dirk Glaesser, Director, Sustainable Development of Tourism, United Nation World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO)
09.15 – 09.45
Overtourism: Starting point of a big transformation? Current issues in European tourism – Prof Harald Pechlaner & Natalie Olbrich, Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Germany / Eurac Research, Italy
09.45 – 10.15
Managing masses: Overtourism as a challenge for Chinese attraction points – Prof Bao Jigang – Sun Yat-Sen University, China
10.15 – 10.30
The Cruise Industry: From global challenges to local opportunities – Ann Sherry AO – Executive Chairman, Carnival Australia
10.30 – 10.45
Why local is the new global – Guy Taylor – Brand strategist
10.45 – 11.05
Morning tea
Session 2 – Industry Perspectives from Western Australia
11.15 – 11.35
Tourism and aviation route development – Claire Werkmeister, Tourism WA
11.35 – 11.55
Keeping the experience real – A parks perspective – Steve Crawford, Parks & Wildlife Service
11.55 – 12.15
A regional perspective from the Mid-West – Gavin Treasure, CEO,Mid West Development Commission
12.15 – 12.35
An Aboriginal tourism perspective – Rob Taylor, CEO, WAITOC
12.35 – 13.20
Light lunch
Session 3 – Opportunities
13.30 – 14.00
The luxury of emptiness, silence and deceleration – Prof Helene Cristini, International University of Monaco
14.00 – 14.30
From capacity to overtourism: How many is too many and when is enough enough? – Prof Geoffrey Wall, Waterloo University, Canada
14.30 – 15.00
Uncrowded, safe, clean places: Motivations of Chinese outbound tourists – Prof Sam Huang, Edith Cowan University, WA
15.00 – 15.30
Tourism development campaigns in China and Australia: A comparison – Dr Meng Wei, South China Agricultural University, China
15.30 – 15.50
Tea break
Session 4 – Industry / Government Panel: Cruise Ships, Aviation Access & Airbnb – Threats or Opportunities for WA?
16.00 – 17.00
Kevin Brown(CEO, Perth Airport)
Christine Cole (Tourism WA)
Prof Peter Newman AO (WA Scientist of the Year, Curtin University)
Michelle Reynolds (CEO, Rottnest Island Authority)
Rob Taylor (CEO, WAITOC)
Claire Werkmeister (Tourism WA)
Moderated by Prof Kirsten Holmes, Dean of Research, Faculty of Business & Law, Curtin University
Concluding Session
17.00 – 17.15
Just-Right Tourism – Prof Christof Pforr & Dr Michael Volgger, Curtin University, WA
Symposium Dinner
17.30 – 20.30
Fervor – Pop Up Native Food Experience(Curtin University Campus)
Symposium Co-Chairs: Prof Christof Pforr and Dr Michael Volgger, Curtin Tourism Research Cluster
To download the final printable program, click here
The TRC is excited to host the following industry and academic experts, who will be presenting on the most current issues and research findings in the field of over-/under-tourism:
Professor Geoffrey Wall – From capacity to overtourism: How many is too many and when is enough enough?
Professor Sam Huang – Uncrowded, safe, clean places: Motivations of Chinese outbound tourists
Dr. Meng Wei – Tourism development campaigns in China and Australia: A comparison
Dr Michael Volgger – Under-tourism: Opportunities for Western Australia
Professor Christof Pforr – Under-tourism: Opportunities for Western Australia
Professor Hélène Cristini – The luxury of emptiness, silence and deceleration
Professor Bao Jigang – Managing masses: Over-tourism as a challenge for Chinese attraction points
Professor Harald Pechlaner and Ms Natalie Olbrich – Over-tourism: starting point of a big transformation? Current issues in European tourism
Dr Dirk Glaesser – Resilient tourism development: The UNWTO Perspective
Ms Ann Sherry – The Cruise Industry: From global challenges to local opportunities
Mr Guy Taylor – Why local is the new global
Ms Claire Werkmeister – Tourism and aviation route development
Mr Gavin Treasure – A regional perspective from the Mid-West
Mr Rob Taylor – An Aboriginal tourism perspective
You can read their bios and presentation abstracts here. Read more
Register now
Registrations for the TRC Symposium are now open.
With thanks to the following symposium partners:
About the Tourism Research Cluster
The Tourism Research Cluster (TRC) increases Curtin’s tourism research capability by providing a framework for the skills, expertise and resources of researchers to be shared, increasing opportunities for collaboration and building on the strengths of Curtin’s well-established multidisciplinary approach to tourism research.
The TRC offers members the chance to meet and network with tourism experts worldwide, share ideas and explore collaborative opportunities.
We welcome new members to join the TRC’s pool of knowledge and expertise from which to source targeted and innovative solutions.
