Swansea experts to work with IBM on major tourism initiative
With tourism already worth an estimated £4.5 billion to the Welsh economy, the School of Management at Swansea University is launching a unique initiative aimed at developing further opportunities in the tourism field, and at promoting best practice internationally.
The initiative is called International Dynamic Destinations (IDD). Its purpose is to research, collate, disseminate and promote innovation and international best practice in destination development and place-making.
IDD will support the successful development of tourism and the visitor economy globally. It will help the Welsh Government and the city regions in Wales to deliver their visions for tourism.
It builds on existing expertise in tourism at the School of Management, where researchers are looking at tourism in specific sectors such as wellness and maritime heritage, and working with colleagues in Denmark, Scotland and Spain.
The IDD will:
Create new networks and collaborations; Discussions are already taking place with tourism organisations, universities and research centres in Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Galicia, Ireland, New Zealand and the USA to establish this centre for sharing knowledge and developing joint research activities
Encourage fresh innovative thinking about the future of destination development to support tourism and economic growth globally and locally. This includes research and teaching in topics associated with tourism, such as the use of big data, impacts of conflict and movements of refugees, the economics of identity, adventure tourism, city tourism and the rapid emergence of ‘blue economy’ tourism and the oceans
Host events such as conferences and workshops to bring together international experts in the field
Publish research and launch a collaborative research programme with international partners
Launch a new programme for undergraduate and post-graduates to study the subject
IDD will be led by Professor Terry Stevens, an internationally-renowned expert in the field of tourism, and a graduate of Swansea University. Professor Stevens has advised international economic development agencies, national, regional and city governments, on all aspects of destination development in over 50 countries.
At the heart of successful destination development in the 21st century is the understanding and application of big data. This means that INTERNATIONAL DYNAMIC DESTINATIONS© will be part of the Swansea University’s ongoing strengthening collaboration with IBM, thereby ensuring that the work of IDD can be fuelled by, and will contribute to, the global IBM ‘Safer Planet and Smarter Cities endeavours, via the IBM Center for Resiliency and Sustainability – IBM’s lead for public private partnership initiatives.
Professor Marc Clement, Head of Swansea University School of Management, said:
“I am delighted that the School of Management is to play the lead role in establishing this unique initiative. Tourism is a major economic sector, and IDD will help us identify opportunities, and position Swansea as a centre of expertise internationally.
IDD builds on the exciting work in the field of tourism already taking place here in the School.
Strong partnerships and good leadership are both essential for success: in this venture we have both, working with our partners at IBM, with Professor Terry Stevens leading.”
Professor Iwan Davies, Pro Vice Chancellor at Swansea University, added:
“This important new initiative is an excellent example of the strategic thinking behind our recent campus expansion. It will see Swansea become a hub for research expertise in an important sector; it is based on collaborations with commercial partners; and it will contribute to the economic development of the region.
I am therefore very pleased that we are launching and hosting the IDD, and I wish it every success.”
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