THRIC Conference

Tourism Hospitality Research in Ireland Conference (THRIC) 2011

Theme:

Smart Thinking in Tourism

15^th June 2011

Pics: Joe Tierney

Ireland's current challenging economic situation is also a time of great opportunity. Recent reviews of the tourism sector have identified key areas for concentrated effort - competitivenesss, value for money, access, transport and the business environment. Smart economic growth recognises the interdependence between human, physical, natural and social resources. As tourism positions itself in the "smart economy", customer service, innovation, access, a quality environment, collaboration, revenue management and sustainability are among the key drivers of the industry in the future.

Sub-Themes

Possible sub-themes include - smart thinking / creativity / innovation / inventiveness / entrepreneurship in - but not limited to the following:

Tourism and hospitality education

Business management including pricing / revenue / human resource / financial / marketing / operations / safety and security/ environmental
SMTEs in tourism / family run tourism and hospitality businesses
Forms of tourism including cultural / rural / urban / religious / sport / leisure / health & wellness / business / sustainable / eco / green / special interest tourism
E-tourism including e-marketing / e-selling / distribution channels / social networking / virtual tourism / cloud computing
Food tourism / culinary arts / gastronomy/ wine
Tourism sectors including attractions / amenities / accommodation / transportation / restaurant / catering / bar / entertainment / events / festivals
Tourism partnerships and networking
Policy & planning for tourism in a dynamic environment
The new tourism consumer – generating areas / destinations, needs / wants, demographic / psychographic trends / behaviour / buying power
Destination / brand management / tourism marketing