Research Projects

The following is an overview of our current research projects. If you would like more information on any of these research projects, please contact the Centre on 9919 5349 or email to ctsr@vu.edu.au

Current Projects List

• The ATDP- Geelong Otway Tourism
• Event Branding
• Sustainability Manual
• AAACB Benchmarking
• Induced Tourism
• Tasmania Social Impacts
• AAAT
• Canberra Convention Bureau
• State of Design Evaluation Framework and Economic Impact
• Museum Volunteers

We also have a list of past projects available.

Current Projects

The ATDP- Geelong Otway Tourism

The Centre for Tourism and Services Research has been awarded research funding as part of an application made to the Australian Tourism Development Program by Great Ocean Road Marketing. The Program is funded by AusIndustry and the research projects are key components of the total Program which obtained over $300,000. The CTSR will be undertaking research specifically on the issues surrounding off-peak tourism, the social impacts of tourism on communities along the Great Ocean Road and the sustainability of these destinations. The projects are due for completion by mid-2009.

Event Branding

This project seeks to understand the role that events can play in helping to build or change the image of a destination. It will examine the factors related to events that are most effective in complementing or reinforcing the image of a destination and the actions that event and destination managers can take to maximise these opportunities. Much of the practical work for this project is being done in Tasmania in partnership with Events Tasmania.

Sustainability Manual

This project will produce an end-user’s manual on sustainability benchmarking that can be used by all communities. It will include a clear description of the reasoning behind the process, where to source the required information, and an interactive workbook to follow with examples. The manual will contain sections on environmental, economic and social indicators to enable a full triple bottom line overview. The outcomes will be achieved by building upon, and putting to use, the STCRC’s existing formative research in this area. It will produce an interactive module that can be used by representatives of the community, and where appropriate enabling consultants, to input benchmarking data and obtain feedback on sustainability performance.

AACB Benchmarking

The CTSR has been commissioned to collate and analyse the performance data of each of Australia's Convention and Visitors Bureau and to undertake a benchmarking exercise so that the various bureau can assess how they perform in relation to each other.

Induced Tourism

The project will examine the much often claimed induced benefits of events for tourism destinations. Destination Managers argue the benefits of events in the enhancing of the destination's profile, the increase in tourist numbers and the increase in tourism expenditure in the months and years after an event. This project will examine these claims which, until now, have been largely untested.

Tasmania Social Impacts

The CTSR has been awarded a research project by Tourism Research Australia and Tourism Tasmania to examine the social impacts of tourism on a number of small communities in Tasmania. Professors Jago and Deery, together with Dr Liz Fredline from Griffith University, have previously worked with Tourism Tasmania to examine community perceptions of tourists. This study will develop their work further and build their typology of tourism communities.

AAAT

The project will develop a statistical model that estimates the impact of various attributes on accommodation selection. The model will be presented to AAA Tourism to assist them to develop indicators when reviewing accommodation properties. The objective of the conjoint analysis is to determine what combination of a limited number of these attributes is most influential in consumers choice when selecting accommodation.

Canberra Convention Bureau

Canberra Convention Bureau has awarded the CTSR two research projects relating to the success of the Bureau's bidding process and the satisfaction of Canberra convention delegates. While much of the data collection will be undertaken by CTSR staff, some aspects will be undertaking by post-graduate student currently studying the unit Event Evaluation and Legacy. The writing up of the project results, completed under the guidance of CTSR staff, will form part of the student's assessment and the results presented to the Convention Bureau.

State of Design Evaluation Framework and Economic Impact

The State of Design, incorporating the Premier’s Design Award is the peak design event of the Victorian calendar. Although the event has run before, from 2008 it will become an annual event, with the Premier’s Design Awards every two years. The State of Design festival will incorporate four elements, the Premier’s Design Awards, Design Capital (a design and business summit), Design: Made: Trade (a design trade showcase) and Design for Everyone (the festival's cultural program). The project aims to provide a framework for evaluating the appropriateness, efficiency and effectiveness of the State of Design Festival and in addition will provide an economic impact analysis of the festival.

Museum Volunteers

The CTSR has collaborated with Museum Victoria on a project entitled 'Museum Victoria: Knowing Our Volunteers". The project focused on volunteers at Museum Victoria and aimed to provide a profile of volunteers in terms of their length of volunteering service, frequency of volunteering and duration of volunteer shifts. The project also examined training for volunteers at Museum Victoria, with particular reference to volunteers' take up and opinions of the training opportunities and the volunteer program at Museum Victoria. Finally, the project investigated motivations for volunteering, and segmented volunteers at Museum Victoria based on motivations.