SUMMER EDITION 2007 - Faculty of Business and Law - Victoria ...
SUMMER EDITION 2007 - Faculty of Business and Law - Victoria ... SUMMER EDITION 2007 - Faculty of Business and Law - Victoria ...
DEGREES SUMMER EDITION 2007 SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY, TOURISM & MARKETING INSIDE HEADING UP TAFE...p 5 FUTURE FOR TOURISM, HOSPITALITY & EVENTS EDUCATION...p 8 COVER STORY: ON TOP OF THE WORLD...p 10 LEGENDARY PERFORMERS...p 12
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DEGREES<br />
<strong>SUMMER</strong> <strong>EDITION</strong> <strong>2007</strong><br />
SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY, TOURISM & MARKETING<br />
INSIDE<br />
HEADING UP TAFE...p 5<br />
FUTURE FOR TOURISM,<br />
HOSPITALITY & EVENTS EDUCATION...p 8<br />
COVER STORY: ON TOP OF THE WORLD...p 10<br />
LEGENDARY PERFORMERS...p 12
SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY, TOURISM & MARKETING<br />
SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY, TOURISM & MARKETING<br />
Father knows best<br />
Flexibility in your geographic preferences<br />
is an important key to success, explained<br />
Alison. ‘Don’t worry too much about your<br />
first job title; be more concerned about<br />
joining a company with a corporate culture<br />
you are attracted to, <strong>and</strong> which will give<br />
you career growth.’ She also believes that<br />
seeking a rapidly exp<strong>and</strong>ing company helps,<br />
because this provides more opportunities for<br />
advancement.<br />
But Alison makes it clear that without the<br />
support <strong>and</strong> encouragement <strong>of</strong> her family she<br />
could not have achieved the same level <strong>of</strong><br />
success. ‘It’s been Simon, my husb<strong>and</strong>, who<br />
has given me the most support,’ smiled Alison<br />
proudly. ‘He even gave up his job as GM <strong>of</strong><br />
a dive company to become a full time house<br />
husb<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> look after our son Matthew so<br />
I could concentrate on my career. How great<br />
is that’<br />
Alison <strong>and</strong> son Matthew (in the centre) on a recent holiday at Westin Fiji Resort, one <strong>of</strong> the three properties owned by Starwood in Fiji<br />
To contact Alison email her at<br />
alison.taylor@starwoodhotels.com<br />
Travelling eight months <strong>of</strong> the year<br />
means Alison Taylor, nee Moyle<br />
(BBus Catering & Hotel Mgmt<br />
1985), when she returns home to<br />
Singapore she spends most <strong>of</strong> her<br />
time with her family. ‘And I make<br />
sure I go to the gym at least five<br />
days a week as a ‘safeguard’<br />
because it’s easy to let your fitness<br />
<strong>and</strong> health slip when you’re on the<br />
road constantly.’<br />
Alison is Vice President <strong>of</strong> Sales for the Asia<br />
Pacific Division <strong>of</strong> Starwood Hotels, a big<br />
job with big responsibilities. ‘But I didn’t start<br />
that way, <strong>of</strong> course,’ she laughed. ‘After<br />
graduating, my first job was on Hamilton<br />
Isl<strong>and</strong> as a c<strong>of</strong>fee shop supervisor. My friend<br />
<strong>and</strong> I applied together <strong>and</strong> we both l<strong>and</strong>ed<br />
jobs. It was more about having a good<br />
time, really, than progressing my career, but<br />
I was young <strong>and</strong> there’s not a lot wrong with<br />
that! Anyway, I was promoted to Restaurant<br />
Manager about three months later, so even<br />
though my life was about fun, I was still<br />
doing OK with the start <strong>of</strong> my career.’<br />
Then only 26 years <strong>of</strong> age, she was<br />
promoted to Director <strong>of</strong> Sales <strong>and</strong> Marketing<br />
for the Sheraton Fiji resort. ‘My first overseas<br />
posting, <strong>and</strong> what a sensational location!’<br />
Then it was the Sheraton Mirage Port<br />
Douglas before joining Le Meridien Hotels<br />
in Indonesia, based in Bali. ‘My next roles<br />
were all in sales <strong>and</strong> marketing, looking after<br />
the properties in South East Asia, <strong>and</strong> finally<br />
back to Singapore, where I’m based today.’<br />
Originally from Newcastle in New South<br />
Wales, Alison spent a great deal <strong>of</strong> her time<br />
as a teen travelling overseas with her father,<br />
staying in five star hotels. ‘I was fascinated<br />
by my stays in these properties, <strong>and</strong> I<br />
wanted a career where I could live in other<br />
countries. So far, I’ve lived in five different<br />
countries since I graduated, so I’ve certainly<br />
accomplished that!’<br />
Alison’s father encouraged her career in<br />
hospitality. ‘We’d been living in London<br />
before I started at <strong>Victoria</strong> University, <strong>and</strong><br />
he did all the applications for me. He knew<br />
what suited me, <strong>and</strong> I’m forever grateful I<br />
followed his advice!’<br />
At VU, it was the broad range <strong>of</strong> tasks that<br />
needed to be embraced in order to be<br />
effective in the industry, ensuring Alison was<br />
well prepared for her various roles.<br />
Degrees is produced by LongDog &<br />
Associates on behalf <strong>of</strong> the Publisher:<br />
School <strong>of</strong> Hospitality, Tourism &<br />
Marketing, Footscray Park Campus,<br />
<strong>Victoria</strong> University, PO Box 14428,<br />
Melbourne, <strong>Victoria</strong> 8001, Australia<br />
Editors:<br />
Jane Odgers, ph: (03) 9919 4413<br />
email: jane.odgers@vu.edu.au<br />
Austin Norman, ph: (03) 9919 4472<br />
email: austin.norman@vu.edu.au<br />
Fax: (03) 9919 4931<br />
Copy, Design <strong>and</strong> Production:<br />
LongDog & Associates,<br />
ph: (03) 9524 3141<br />
Email: tracey@longdog.com.au<br />
Got some news<br />
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graduate, a student, or the fields <strong>of</strong><br />
hospitality, tourism, events or marketing,<br />
please contact the editors.<br />
Don’t want to receive this<br />
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Just advise us <strong>of</strong> your details <strong>and</strong> we’ll<br />
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odgers@vu.edu.au with your details.<br />
<br />
VICTORIA UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY, TOURISM & MARKETING<br />
Working in Xanadu<br />
It’s a long way from Melbourne<br />
Australia to Hangzhou China,<br />
but Antony Platford (BBus Hotel<br />
& Catering Mgmt, 1994) is the<br />
General Manager for the S<strong>of</strong>itel<br />
Xanadu Resort (pictured below).<br />
‘The primary focus here has been<br />
on sales <strong>and</strong> marketing because<br />
we’re a new resort.’<br />
Antony’s first job was as part <strong>of</strong> the preopening<br />
team for the Novotel Melbourne on<br />
Collins. ‘I knew I wanted to work for Accor<br />
because during my Co-operative Education<br />
Year I had some exposure to this company,<br />
<strong>and</strong> I knew they were opening the hotel. I<br />
just called them up <strong>and</strong> went for an interview,<br />
<strong>and</strong> started as Systems Manager.’<br />
His days at VU were critical because, as<br />
Antony explained, a business degree will<br />
always st<strong>and</strong> you in good stead. ‘I also<br />
remember learning some basics in cooking<br />
classes <strong>and</strong> the food science project on<br />
lemon meringue pie – but it wasn’t where my<br />
real skill-set lay!’<br />
Driven by change <strong>and</strong> challenge, Antony<br />
prefers to learn by experience. ‘That<br />
means I’m constantly learning about myself<br />
<strong>and</strong> others, as well as gaining business<br />
knowledge <strong>and</strong> skills. And the truth is<br />
you can learn from everyone around you<br />
sometimes more about what not to do!’<br />
For Antony, it means he has learned a lot<br />
in particular from other general managers,<br />
private business owners, <strong>and</strong> corporate<br />
people.<br />
Kazakhstan<br />
Pakistan<br />
India<br />
Nepal<br />
Tibet<br />
Bhutan<br />
Russia<br />
CHINA<br />
India<br />
Myanmar<br />
Laos<br />
Mongolia<br />
Yangtze River<br />
Vietnam<br />
Pearl River<br />
Beijing<br />
Yellow River<br />
Shanghai<br />
Hangzhou<br />
Taiwan<br />
Russia<br />
Songhua River<br />
N. Korea<br />
Pacific<br />
Ocean<br />
Hong Kong<br />
Macau<br />
South<br />
China Sea<br />
‘Successful people are successful for a<br />
reason, so I like to underst<strong>and</strong> what it is for<br />
each person <strong>and</strong> develop myself.’<br />
His work in hospitality has meant he’s had<br />
many varied roles – from front <strong>of</strong>fice, finance,<br />
sales <strong>and</strong> marketing, food <strong>and</strong> beverage<br />
management…from cities in Australia to<br />
his current location in China. ‘This is a<br />
fantastic industry <strong>and</strong> large hotels <strong>of</strong>fer great<br />
opportunities for learning <strong>and</strong> development.<br />
A successful hotelier advised me once that<br />
Antony <strong>and</strong> daughter Poppy with Tutu on Rye Beach, prior to<br />
leaving for China in early 2005.<br />
a large hotel company was the best way to<br />
learn, <strong>and</strong> he’s right, regardless <strong>of</strong> whether<br />
you’re interested in that sort <strong>of</strong> a career or<br />
want to start your own hospitality business.’<br />
To contact Antony email him at<br />
gm@s<strong>of</strong>itelxanadu.com<br />
Hangzhou: Ancient Capital<br />
The city <strong>of</strong> Hangzhou was founded<br />
about 2,200 years ago during the<br />
Qin Dynasty, <strong>and</strong> is listed as one<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Seven Ancient Capitals <strong>of</strong><br />
China. Located 180 km southwest <strong>of</strong><br />
Shanghai, the population in the city<br />
proper is now around 1.75 million.<br />
By the end <strong>of</strong> 2003, Hangzhou<br />
had a registered population <strong>of</strong> 6.4<br />
million. As one <strong>of</strong> the most renowned<br />
<strong>and</strong> prosperous cities <strong>of</strong> China<br />
for much <strong>of</strong> the last 1,000 years,<br />
Hangzhou is also well-known for its<br />
beautiful natural scenery.<br />
VICTORIA UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY, TOURISM & MARKETING<br />
evaluating Evaluating for an encore<br />
With the increasing numbers <strong>of</strong><br />
festivals <strong>and</strong> events across various<br />
locations, consumers are becoming<br />
more discerning as to what they<br />
expect. The increased expectations<br />
highlight the fact that it is critical<br />
for festivals <strong>and</strong> events to be<br />
evaluated for sustainability.<br />
In 2005, as part <strong>of</strong> a Sustainable Tourism<br />
CRC research project, Pr<strong>of</strong> Leo Jago <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Victoria</strong> University developed the Encore<br />
s<strong>of</strong>tware program to assist event organisers<br />
to better evaluate their events.<br />
Future employers<br />
will benefit from the<br />
knowledge <strong>and</strong> h<strong>and</strong>son<br />
experience that<br />
these students will<br />
bring to their company,<br />
which will ultimately<br />
flow on to enhance the<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essionalism <strong>of</strong> the<br />
overall industry.<br />
The s<strong>of</strong>tware enables organisers <strong>and</strong><br />
sponsors to assess the magnitude <strong>of</strong> new<br />
funds that are attracted to the host region or<br />
state as a result <strong>of</strong> a festival or event, which<br />
means the economic evaluation is consistent,<br />
allowing for comparisons between events.<br />
Encore is very user-friendly, <strong>and</strong> was<br />
developed so that it can be used by people<br />
who have not received specific training or<br />
don’t have a background in event evaluation.<br />
Students studying the subject Meetings,<br />
Conventions <strong>and</strong> Events have been using<br />
Encore as part <strong>of</strong> their major assignment.<br />
Staff lecturing in this subject were given inhouse<br />
training by Leo so that they could then<br />
use the program as part <strong>of</strong> their teaching.<br />
The assignment requires students to prepare<br />
a business plan for an event <strong>of</strong> 10,000<br />
attendees. Some <strong>of</strong> the events the students<br />
have planned have included a German-style<br />
Christmas market at Falls Creek, a Kick It with<br />
the Socceroos family event, an international<br />
comedy conference <strong>and</strong> a charity university<br />
ball. To evaluate the success <strong>of</strong> their<br />
hypothetical event students must prepare<br />
a questionnaire for the attendees, which is<br />
where Encore is particularly helpful.<br />
In this scenario students are not using the<br />
program to its complete capability however<br />
they do have a lecture <strong>and</strong> a tutorial on the<br />
kit <strong>and</strong> receive detailed explanations on how<br />
the Encore program can be used. A new<br />
version <strong>of</strong> Encore, with improved flexibility in<br />
the questionnaire, data entry <strong>and</strong> reporting<br />
modules, was recently released. The new<br />
version is being distributed world wide by the<br />
International Festival <strong>and</strong> Events Association<br />
(IFEA); this means VU students are at the<br />
cutting edge <strong>of</strong> event evaluation.<br />
For more information on Encore,<br />
go to www.crctourism.com.au/<br />
CRCBookshop.<br />
Components <strong>of</strong> Encore<br />
Encore has four key modules:<br />
Demographics, Economics,<br />
Marketing, <strong>and</strong> Additional. These<br />
modules allow users to pr<strong>of</strong>ile<br />
event attendees, assess marketing<br />
performance <strong>and</strong> measure the<br />
direct in-scope expenditure in the<br />
region <strong>and</strong> state as a result <strong>of</strong> an<br />
event. Encore can produce up to<br />
three separate questionnaires to<br />
cover attendees, competitors or<br />
performers, <strong>and</strong> exhibitors. Encore<br />
includes its own survey instrument<br />
to collect data from event<br />
attendees which may also be<br />
collected via PDAs. Additionally,<br />
Encore allows users to select<br />
from a variety <strong>of</strong> pre-prepared<br />
questions. Most questions can be<br />
modified <strong>and</strong> additional questions<br />
may be added as required.<br />
Encore provides a reporting tool<br />
that presents results for each<br />
question in both tabular <strong>and</strong><br />
graphical forms, which can be<br />
printed as a report, or copied<br />
into company reports. It is set<br />
up for international markets so<br />
that events in different countries<br />
using different currencies can be<br />
evaluated.<br />
<br />
VICTORIA UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY, TOURISM & MARKETING<br />
Heading up tafe<br />
Degrees spoke with Nic Beredimas,<br />
the new Head at <strong>Victoria</strong> University<br />
TAFE’s Hospitality <strong>and</strong> Tourism<br />
Department.<br />
Degrees: You’ve been on the School <strong>of</strong><br />
Hospitality, Tourism & Marketing’s Program<br />
Advisory Committee for a long time in an<br />
advisory capacity, <strong>and</strong> now you’re an<br />
academic within the university structure. What<br />
are the things you’re learning now that you<br />
didn’t realise<br />
Nic Beredimas: The fantastic diversity <strong>of</strong> the<br />
uni, <strong>and</strong> that it is important to work with others<br />
both inside <strong>and</strong> outside VU. And how important<br />
it is to treat them like a customer - if you don’t,<br />
then you treat people as though you are doing<br />
them a favour <strong>and</strong> this doesn’t build good, long<br />
term relationships.<br />
D: What made you enter the hospitality <strong>and</strong><br />
tourism pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
NB: I’d worked in kitchens for a while <strong>and</strong> I<br />
wanted to do more, so I undertook a hospitality<br />
course. I was a trainee manager for a hotel<br />
group in Adelaide in South Australia <strong>and</strong><br />
worked my way up to Venue Manager. But<br />
then I went on holiday <strong>and</strong> stayed away three<br />
years… I’d recommend that to anyone young,<br />
because you need to get that sort <strong>of</strong> thing out<br />
<strong>of</strong> your system to have a real career.<br />
D: What did you do after your three year<br />
‘sabbatical’<br />
NB: I came back to Melbourne <strong>and</strong> worked<br />
at the famous Florentino restaurant, <strong>and</strong> the<br />
Tramcar restaurant in hospitality <strong>and</strong> front <strong>of</strong><br />
house. That sort <strong>of</strong> role can teach you so much<br />
about people. When Florentino was sold I<br />
was in limbo, <strong>and</strong> I worked as a casual skills<br />
trainer for Tourism Training <strong>Victoria</strong> because I<br />
had five star restaurant skills, teaching food <strong>and</strong><br />
beverage skills to the long term unemployed. I<br />
was working with some very damaged people:<br />
people who had self-esteem issues, drug<br />
problems, abuse problems, <strong>and</strong> my role was to<br />
help them get the training they needed to find<br />
a job. And I did; everyone who wanted a job<br />
got one! It was fantastic.<br />
D: But then you went back to study. Why<br />
NB: I wanted some formal education<br />
<strong>and</strong> training skills, so I enrolled in a postgraduate<br />
course at VU. But I also worked for<br />
Delaware North AVS as National Training<br />
<strong>and</strong> Development Manager, which is where I<br />
learned about big business <strong>and</strong> how to deal<br />
with many different projects <strong>and</strong> teams, mostly<br />
on remote control.<br />
Nic Beredimas with his children Isabella <strong>and</strong> James<br />
D: You ran your own consultancy for a long<br />
time. How did that happen<br />
NB: After Delaware North I joined Sodexho<br />
as Learning <strong>and</strong> Development Manager, where<br />
I looked after the southern regions, including<br />
New Zeal<strong>and</strong>. I secured funding for the Front<br />
Line Management trial project, but business got<br />
very tough <strong>and</strong> my position became redundant,<br />
so I set up my own business as a consultant,<br />
which I ran for nine years. It’s still going strong<br />
now, under its new management.<br />
D: Today you’re head <strong>of</strong> the TAFE Hospitality<br />
<strong>and</strong> Tourism Department at VU. What does the<br />
role entail<br />
NB: Too many meetings <strong>and</strong> not enough time<br />
to do real work! When I say real work I mean<br />
income-producing. It’s a very administrative role<br />
that could do with some tweaking to allow me<br />
to get out there <strong>and</strong> promote to industry <strong>and</strong><br />
develop networks on a more regular basis.<br />
Budgets are very important as it is a fair sized<br />
department <strong>and</strong> we have two restaurants <strong>and</strong><br />
bars <strong>and</strong> all the stock <strong>and</strong> equipment as well.<br />
Phew!<br />
D: What advice would you give to prospective<br />
students – those who are thinking <strong>of</strong> getting into<br />
the industry<br />
NB: Have a great attitude to people, <strong>and</strong> as<br />
with any industry, be prepared to start at the<br />
bottom. Learn the ropes <strong>and</strong> how to do things,<br />
but never, ever forget that the key as I see it,<br />
is knowing how to deal with <strong>and</strong> underst<strong>and</strong><br />
others: people are the greatest strength as well<br />
as potentially the greatest weakness for any<br />
business.<br />
D: Who do you think has most influenced you<br />
in your career choice<br />
NB: My mum, who brought me up alone<br />
as a widow. My wife <strong>of</strong> 20 years who has<br />
supported me the entire way (as well as my<br />
kids James <strong>and</strong> Isabella). And an ex-teacher<br />
<strong>and</strong> mentor <strong>of</strong> mine, Karon Hepner, previously<br />
from RMIT, now Group HR Manager for<br />
Compass, who taught me that if you want to<br />
get ahead, focus, work hard <strong>and</strong> believe in<br />
yourself <strong>and</strong> your abilities.<br />
D: On a personal level, what sort <strong>of</strong> hobbies<br />
do you have<br />
NB: The kids <strong>and</strong> I love footy so we go during<br />
the season, supporting my kids’ activities <strong>and</strong><br />
interests, relaxing in our swim spa, bike riding<br />
<strong>and</strong> COOKING – that’s right – I am still very<br />
h<strong>and</strong>y with a spatula <strong>and</strong> rolling pin (in the<br />
kitchen that is) <strong>and</strong> I tend to take over other<br />
people’s barbecues when I visit, because meat<br />
should never be cooked on a roaring, firespitting<br />
barbecue! When I see that happening,<br />
<strong>and</strong> if they’re wearing a ‘kiss the cook’ apron<br />
<strong>and</strong> ask me how I like my meat cooked, I reply<br />
‘cooking it myself thanks!’<br />
VICTORIA UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY, TOURISM & MARKETING<br />
PAC PROFILE ROBERT DRAKE<br />
The Programs Advisory Committee<br />
(PAC) is responsible for reviewing<br />
all <strong>of</strong> the School <strong>of</strong> Hospitality,<br />
Tourism & Marketing’s courses.<br />
Members come from a wide range<br />
<strong>of</strong> industries <strong>and</strong> from <strong>Victoria</strong><br />
University. Its purpose is to provide<br />
advice from an industry perspective<br />
about the courses <strong>and</strong> opportunities<br />
at <strong>Victoria</strong> University <strong>and</strong> the School<br />
<strong>of</strong> HTM, providing a reality check<br />
<strong>and</strong> acting as a sounding board for<br />
the staff, as well as assisting with<br />
networking where possible. This<br />
ensures that the School stays at<br />
the cutting edge, so that students<br />
graduate with up-to-the-minute skills<br />
<strong>and</strong> are immediately employable.<br />
Career Start<br />
Look out Tiger Woods! Robert’s a keen golfer - here he tees <strong>of</strong>f on a par 3 at Nairn Golf Club in Scotl<strong>and</strong><br />
Robert had completed a Diploma in Tourism<br />
Mgmt in his early years, <strong>and</strong> had worked<br />
in the tourism industry overseas. When he<br />
returned to Australia, he decided to upgrade<br />
that qualification to a degree.<br />
‘I chose VU quite deliberately: it had the best<br />
tourism education br<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> reputation. Still<br />
does!’ Robert graduated with a BBus (Travel &<br />
Tourism Mgmt) in 1994.<br />
While studying at VU Robert worked with<br />
a research firm, Kadence Research. On<br />
graduating, he joined Telstra as a market<br />
researcher. He spent many years with Telstra,<br />
learning a great deal. ‘I began as a market<br />
researcher, moved into br<strong>and</strong> management,<br />
then merch<strong>and</strong>ise management, <strong>and</strong><br />
finally wound up looking after marketing<br />
communications at what was then Mobile<br />
Net,’ he explained. ‘I learned real aspects<br />
<strong>of</strong> marketing <strong>and</strong> communications from a<br />
number <strong>of</strong> angles, <strong>and</strong> worked in the telco as<br />
it headed to T1. It was a fantastic time.’<br />
Career Progression<br />
His next move was into the world <strong>of</strong><br />
advertising, first as a Group Account<br />
Director, eventually running the Melbourne<br />
<strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong> Singleton Ogilvy & Mather, a<br />
large international ad agency. ‘I moved<br />
on to George Patterson Bates next, where<br />
I participated in the management buyout,<br />
before selling up <strong>and</strong> becoming a consultant.’<br />
Part <strong>of</strong> his time in the next two years was<br />
working with Jetstar as it readied itself for its<br />
first flights. ‘It was fantastic to be involved in<br />
the launch <strong>of</strong> something,’ he said, ‘And to be<br />
back in tourism was fun.’<br />
Current role<br />
In February 2006 Robert was <strong>of</strong>fered a new<br />
challenge. Having worked in research <strong>and</strong><br />
marketing from both the client <strong>and</strong> supplier<br />
side, he couldn’t resist the idea <strong>of</strong> seeing<br />
marketing from the media perspective.<br />
Today he is the Managing Director <strong>of</strong> Carat<br />
Australia, a company which plans <strong>and</strong> buys<br />
media, undertakes research, conducts PR,<br />
br<strong>and</strong> management, strategic planning,<br />
consulting, <strong>and</strong> econometric modelling.<br />
‘We get involved in all things online, <strong>and</strong> we<br />
even get paid for watching movies, listening<br />
to our iPods <strong>and</strong> looking for stuff on YouTube.<br />
com!’<br />
PAC involvement<br />
Robert’s ‘first love’ is tourism, <strong>and</strong> with his<br />
background he believes he can bring a broad<br />
<strong>and</strong> interesting perspective to the Committee.<br />
His main aim is to bring insight <strong>and</strong> passion,<br />
having seen the university from both inside<br />
<strong>and</strong> outside, <strong>and</strong> having been on both sides<br />
<strong>of</strong> the tourism <strong>and</strong> marketing sectors.<br />
He believes that good employers look beyond<br />
the resume to the type <strong>of</strong> experience <strong>and</strong> the<br />
type <strong>of</strong> person. ‘They should look for people<br />
who actually get it! And that ‘it’ is something<br />
hard to explain – it is something that makes<br />
people st<strong>and</strong> out from the rest. It is more<br />
than just attitude, but includes logic, street<br />
smarts, common sense, empathy <strong>and</strong> drive.’<br />
Robert believes that anyone can write a great<br />
resume, although many don’t, but employers<br />
are looking for someone that they can entrust<br />
mutual success in. ‘The hunt for great staff is<br />
the hardest hunt <strong>of</strong> them all these days!’<br />
<br />
VICTORIA UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY, TOURISM & MARKETING<br />
Doc Martin’s Travel Show<br />
I want students to learn about current<br />
technologies involved with the dissemination<br />
<strong>of</strong> information within the travel experience,<br />
as well as develop ideas on how this form<br />
<strong>of</strong> communication can be used to generate<br />
business opportunities.’<br />
Examples <strong>of</strong> some <strong>of</strong> the student-produced<br />
podcasts in Travel Show include ‘Skirmish<br />
in Melbourne’, where two <strong>of</strong> Martin’s<br />
students talk about the art <strong>and</strong> availability<br />
<strong>of</strong> the paintball game. In ‘How Ozzy is<br />
Melbourne’ two <strong>of</strong> Martin’s German<br />
students talk about the really ‘ocker’ things to<br />
do in <strong>and</strong> around Melbourne.<br />
For more information on<br />
Destination Planning <strong>and</strong><br />
Development contact Dr Martin<br />
Fluker on (03) 9919 4412 or<br />
martin.fluker@vu.edu.au. To visit<br />
the Travel Show podcast site <strong>and</strong><br />
hear the stories for yourself, go to<br />
http://travel.thepodcastnetwork.<br />
com<br />
Podcasting is a new type <strong>of</strong><br />
online media delivery. The name<br />
derives from a combination <strong>of</strong><br />
the words ‘iPod’ <strong>and</strong> ‘broadcast’.<br />
However, you don’t necessarily<br />
need an Apple iPod to listen<br />
to a podcast, you can simply<br />
play it through your desktop<br />
computer or download the file<br />
to any mp3 player. As Dr Martin<br />
Fluker, Tourism Lecturer, can<br />
attest, podcasting is a great way<br />
for students to engage with the<br />
community.<br />
The Travel Show is a podcast, vidcast <strong>and</strong><br />
blog-based website hosted <strong>and</strong> produced<br />
in Melbourne by Martin. The show is about<br />
people, places, products <strong>and</strong> ideas related<br />
to the travel experience <strong>and</strong> features items<br />
such as speeches given by prominent<br />
tourism academics, interviews with PhD<br />
students <strong>and</strong> tourism practitioners, as well<br />
as reporting on current news items. ‘As part<br />
<strong>of</strong> the subject called Destination Planning<br />
<strong>and</strong> Development, I get students to make ten<br />
minute podcasts on interesting things to do<br />
at various destinations around the world. I<br />
then give students the opportunity to place<br />
their podcast on The Travel Show, thereby<br />
receiving a global audience for their work.’<br />
The podcasts generally get 300 to 400<br />
downloads, mainly from the USA, Australia<br />
<strong>and</strong> Taiwan.<br />
‘It’s not just about fun,’ Martin explained.<br />
‘It’s also about getting students a global<br />
audience for their work. In doing this,<br />
‘It’s not just about fun, it<br />
helps students learn about<br />
current technologies <strong>and</strong><br />
their association with the<br />
travel industry.’<br />
VICTORIA UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY, TOURISM & MARKETING<br />
What is The future for tourism, hospita<br />
providers. Brian <strong>and</strong> Stephen found that there<br />
is concern over the likely loss <strong>of</strong> teaching<br />
expertise <strong>and</strong> corporate memory as many<br />
educators from the baby boomer generation<br />
retire from the higher education sector.<br />
In November on the Gold Coast in<br />
Queensl<strong>and</strong>, Pr<strong>of</strong> Brian King, Head,<br />
School <strong>of</strong> Hospitality, Tourism &<br />
Marketing at <strong>Victoria</strong> University,<br />
<strong>and</strong> Assoc Pr<strong>of</strong> Stephen Craig-Smith<br />
<strong>of</strong> the University <strong>of</strong> Queensl<strong>and</strong><br />
presented a report to members <strong>of</strong><br />
THE-ICE on the future <strong>of</strong> tourism,<br />
hospitality <strong>and</strong> events education.<br />
Brian <strong>and</strong> Stephen have been involved<br />
in tourism <strong>and</strong> hospitality education in<br />
Australia for more than 20 years <strong>and</strong> have<br />
a good underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> its evolution. They<br />
recently conducted survey-based research to<br />
investigate current issues confronting the sector<br />
<strong>and</strong> to seek the views <strong>of</strong> key stakeholders,<br />
including program directors, about likely future<br />
challenges. These were presented in their<br />
paper The Changing L<strong>and</strong>scape <strong>of</strong> Tourism<br />
<strong>and</strong> Hospitality Education in Australia,<br />
Challenges <strong>and</strong> Opportunities.<br />
‘A substantial literature has emerged on the<br />
birth <strong>and</strong> early development <strong>of</strong> tourism <strong>and</strong><br />
hospitality education,’ said Brian. ‘This is<br />
indicative <strong>of</strong> the growing interest in evaluating<br />
the progress that has been achieved.’ But as<br />
Brian explained, less has been written on<br />
the challenges <strong>and</strong> opportunities which lie<br />
ahead <strong>and</strong> the likely shape <strong>of</strong> the sector into<br />
the future.<br />
Events education has emerged rapidly <strong>and</strong><br />
growth is likely to continue. ‘In our paper,<br />
Stephen <strong>and</strong> I attempted to give some<br />
attention to the likely role <strong>of</strong> events in the<br />
future development <strong>of</strong> the sector. We want to<br />
ensure a strong <strong>and</strong> healthy future for tourism,<br />
hospitality <strong>and</strong> events education.’<br />
The findings<br />
The marketplace for undergraduate <strong>and</strong><br />
postgraduate programs is reaching saturation<br />
point, prompting some institutions to rethink<br />
their tourism <strong>and</strong> hospitality <strong>of</strong>ferings. ‘They<br />
are confronting an excessive dependence on<br />
overseas students, particularly in postgraduate<br />
coursework programs,’ Brian explained. ‘The<br />
changing course preferences <strong>of</strong> domestic<br />
students is prompting a shift to new areas<br />
such as event management, sometimes at the<br />
expense <strong>of</strong> existing programs in tourism <strong>and</strong><br />
hospitality,’ he went on.<br />
Challenges are arising from moves into<br />
degree level provision by the private sector<br />
<strong>and</strong> by Vocational Education Training (VET)<br />
Australia is a relative latecomer to<br />
the provision <strong>of</strong> university tourism,<br />
hospitality <strong>and</strong> events education<br />
compared with other developed<br />
countries such as the USA <strong>and</strong><br />
the UK. In spite <strong>of</strong> the slow start,<br />
Australian education <strong>and</strong> research<br />
has achieved an enviable<br />
reputation over a relatively short<br />
period. The number <strong>of</strong> Australian<br />
undergraduate programs in<br />
tourism, hospitality <strong>and</strong> events<br />
education grew from two in the<br />
early 1970s to 88 today <strong>and</strong><br />
the number <strong>of</strong> post-graduate<br />
program <strong>of</strong>ferings has reached<br />
85, remarkable for a country with<br />
a population <strong>of</strong> only 20 million.<br />
Brian said that tourism <strong>and</strong> hospitality<br />
education has achieved a lot over its<br />
short history <strong>and</strong> Australian academics<br />
<strong>and</strong> institutions have established a strong<br />
reputation internationally. ‘CAUTHE<br />
conferences enjoy an international following<br />
<strong>and</strong> are recognised as the leading annual<br />
tourism education <strong>and</strong> research conference<br />
in the southern hemisphere,’ he went on.<br />
‘The higher education tourism, hospitality<br />
<strong>and</strong> event sector has grown <strong>and</strong> matured<br />
<strong>and</strong> no longer depends on the recruitment <strong>of</strong><br />
staff from overseas.’ It is now an established<br />
discipline in many universities <strong>and</strong> research<br />
outputs are growing in both size <strong>and</strong><br />
reputation.<br />
‘But there is however no room for<br />
complacency <strong>and</strong> many challenges lie<br />
ahead,’ cautioned Brian. According to the<br />
research, the education sector is experiencing<br />
diminishing per capita government funding<br />
<strong>and</strong> is increasingly reliant on full fee paying<br />
overseas students to maintain its viability.<br />
‘The commonwealth government is promoting<br />
diversity very actively in higher education.<br />
This involves a shift from st<strong>and</strong>ardisation <strong>and</strong><br />
greater specialisation on the part <strong>of</strong> individual<br />
universities, as well as greater private sector<br />
provision,’ said Brian. ‘Private hotel schools<br />
are distinct from the universities in terms <strong>of</strong><br />
the style <strong>of</strong> teaching <strong>and</strong> engagement with<br />
industry. The move by private hotel schools<br />
into degree provision presents a challenge for<br />
established universities.’<br />
Another emerging challenge is the support <strong>of</strong><br />
some state governments for the provision <strong>of</strong><br />
degrees by VET providers. Brian believes that<br />
provision will be more diverse.<br />
Brian also predicted that with domestic<br />
tourism now declining in Australia <strong>and</strong><br />
showing little prospect for growth <strong>and</strong><br />
shrinking domestic dem<strong>and</strong> for tourism<br />
courses, we can expect to see some<br />
shrinkage <strong>of</strong> university tourism degree<br />
provision. ‘As the boundaries between higher<br />
education, the private sector <strong>and</strong> TAFE<br />
become increasingly blurred, articulation<br />
<strong>and</strong> twinning arrangements will grow in<br />
importance.’<br />
<br />
VICTORIA UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY, TOURISM & MARKETING<br />
lity <strong>and</strong> events education<br />
Critical success factors<br />
According to Brian, some key factors will<br />
determine whether providers are able to<br />
survive in this highly competitive environment.<br />
He questioned whether enrolments will be<br />
sufficient to sustain the current range <strong>of</strong><br />
providers, given that domestic enrolments are<br />
flat or declining. A minimum number <strong>of</strong> course<br />
enrolments will be needed to ensure survival.<br />
Reputation will also influence whether<br />
programs are sustainable, influenced by the<br />
emergence <strong>of</strong> readily accessible quality<br />
indicators, an expectation <strong>of</strong> greater<br />
engagement with stakeholders, the need for<br />
an independent voice <strong>and</strong> leadership from<br />
tourism academics in tourism programs<br />
located within broadly defined management<br />
<strong>of</strong> business schools, <strong>and</strong> research credibility<br />
within the Research Quality Framework (RQF).<br />
‘We know that the Sustainable Tourism CRC<br />
<strong>and</strong> THE-ICE are admired internationally.<br />
However these initiatives have led to a<br />
clustering <strong>of</strong> provision. In the lead up to the<br />
questioned whether industry operators<br />
would be willing to absorb the increasing<br />
number <strong>of</strong> international students seeking work<br />
placements <strong>and</strong> internships.<br />
Implications<br />
If Australia is to retain <strong>and</strong> develop its<br />
reputation as a provider <strong>of</strong> tourism <strong>and</strong><br />
hospitality education overseas, all students<br />
will need to be <strong>of</strong>fered genuine, intercultural<br />
interactions with other students. ‘More<br />
Australian students should study overseas for<br />
at least part <strong>of</strong> their program,’ Brian said.<br />
‘It shouldn’t be a one-way street. Greater<br />
reciprocation with Australian students going<br />
overseas to our partners would indicate<br />
our genuine commitment to the process <strong>of</strong><br />
internationalisation.’<br />
In conclusion, Brian pointed out that there is<br />
a need for greater coherence <strong>of</strong> government<br />
policy between the states <strong>and</strong> the<br />
commonwealth in regard to the emergence <strong>of</strong><br />
VET <strong>and</strong> higher education provision.<br />
‘We should also engage more actively with<br />
education networks in other countries <strong>and</strong><br />
move beyond the ‘cargo cult’ mentality where<br />
we ship international students into the country,<br />
take their money <strong>and</strong> then say goodbye. We<br />
really need a more integrated approach to<br />
internationalisation,’ said Brian.<br />
For information on the presentation<br />
by Pr<strong>of</strong> Brian King <strong>and</strong> Assoc Pr<strong>of</strong><br />
Stephen Craig-Smith, go to the<br />
November 2006 THE-ICE newsletter<br />
at http://www.the-ice.org/<br />
WebControls/News/newsletters/<br />
THE-ICE%20November%20News%2<br />
02006.htm.<br />
the-ice<br />
The International Centre <strong>of</strong><br />
Excellence in Tourism <strong>and</strong><br />
Hospitality Education (THE-ICE)<br />
is an Australian government<br />
initiative that establishes <strong>and</strong><br />
pr<strong>of</strong>iles outst<strong>and</strong>ing capability in<br />
this field.<br />
THE-ICE delivers excellence in<br />
tourism <strong>and</strong> hospitality education<br />
to international markets (via<br />
collaboration with governments,<br />
education institutions, tourism<br />
organisations <strong>and</strong> industry), <strong>and</strong><br />
to international students (via the<br />
endorsement <strong>and</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>iling <strong>of</strong><br />
member programs).<br />
As a business unit <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Sustainable Tourism Cooperative<br />
Research Centre (STCRC), the<br />
world’s largest travel <strong>and</strong> tourism<br />
research centre, THE-ICE is<br />
chaired by Sir Frank Moore<br />
(STCRC Chairman) <strong>and</strong> directed<br />
by Dr Perry Hobson.<br />
THE-ICE has an independent<br />
Advisory Council comprising<br />
some <strong>of</strong> Australia’s leading<br />
tourism <strong>and</strong> hospitality academics<br />
<strong>and</strong> industry experts, including<br />
VU’s Pr<strong>of</strong> Brian King <strong>and</strong> Nic<br />
Beredimas.<br />
implementation <strong>of</strong> the RQF, STCRC gives<br />
access to competitive research funding for<br />
those who can afford it. With the imminent<br />
prospect <strong>of</strong> declining course provision, there<br />
will be an emerging challenge about how to<br />
harvest the research capacity <strong>of</strong> the STCRC’s<br />
90 PhDs who are trained in research, not<br />
teaching.<br />
‘If THE-ICE <strong>and</strong> its valuable br<strong>and</strong>ing<br />
overseas were to cease the capacity <strong>of</strong> the<br />
sector collectively to attract international<br />
students would be considerably diminished,’<br />
said Brian. With the growing dependence<br />
on international students, Brian also<br />
VICTORIA UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY, TOURISM & MARKETING<br />
on top <strong>of</strong> the world<br />
It’s a long way, both in geography<br />
<strong>and</strong> in spirit, from Germany<br />
to the Kingdom <strong>of</strong> Bhutan in<br />
the Himalayas, but for Isabel<br />
Sebastian (BBus Tourism Mgmt &<br />
Mktg, 1993), it’s been a deeply<br />
satisfying journey.<br />
‘I love working with staff in a creative <strong>and</strong><br />
supportive way <strong>and</strong> looking after clients<br />
with complete respect <strong>and</strong> commitment to<br />
their well-being,’ said Isabel. ‘My love for<br />
assessing business situations, developing<br />
new ideas <strong>and</strong> projects to improve the<br />
current situation <strong>and</strong> implementing new<br />
services or programs, has driven my past<br />
success as a consultant, employee, therapist<br />
<strong>and</strong> yoga teacher.’<br />
Isabel is COMO Shambhala Manager<br />
(which means Spa Manager from COMO)<br />
at Uma Paro in Bhutan in the high Himalayan<br />
mountains ‘... close to the heavens,’ she said.<br />
‘This little Kingdom is really a world away<br />
in more ways than you could imagine. I<br />
manage the spa with six in-house treatment<br />
rooms, nine villa treatment rooms <strong>and</strong> 14<br />
staff as well as our retail shop.’ Uma Paro is<br />
a stylish yet homely 5-star boutique hotel with<br />
29 rooms. ‘It’s owned by Mrs Ong who has<br />
a great passion <strong>and</strong> vision for all things style,<br />
beauty, health <strong>and</strong> well-being.’<br />
Ideally suited to her role, Isabel has 15 years<br />
experience in the tourism industry. ‘And I’ve<br />
been a yoga teacher for 10 years, <strong>and</strong> a<br />
massage therapist for more than two.’<br />
The hotel has just celebrated its second<br />
birthday which means there is still a lot<br />
<strong>of</strong> work to do. Bhutan only opened up to<br />
tourism five years ago <strong>and</strong> there is no service<br />
culture, no hotel school, <strong>and</strong> certainly no<br />
massage schools or a well-being scene. ‘A<br />
lot <strong>of</strong> work goes into training local staff in<br />
therapies, communication, guest relations<br />
<strong>and</strong> very basic things like hygiene <strong>and</strong> how<br />
to eat with a knife <strong>and</strong> fork...or at least not<br />
with their h<strong>and</strong>s, anyway!’<br />
‘I love my work because<br />
through it I get to touch<br />
people’s souls, so they<br />
can live life to their full<br />
potential.’<br />
Isabel’s focus for <strong>2007</strong> is to develop<br />
well-being retreats for the spa’s low<br />
season months, with yoga, meditation <strong>and</strong><br />
Himalayan medicine detox retreats. She<br />
wants to create some retreats with celebrity<br />
specialists in meditation <strong>and</strong> Tibetan<br />
Buddhism.<br />
‘I love being involved in growing the<br />
recognition <strong>of</strong> the spa <strong>and</strong> wellness industry:<br />
I’ve been on the board <strong>of</strong> directors <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Australasian Spa Association for the past<br />
two years. I also teach 12 yoga classes<br />
a week, which are complimentary to our<br />
guests. Sometimes I also get private clients<br />
but that’s mostly during high season months.<br />
So recently I’ve been up to my eye-balls in all<br />
things spa <strong>and</strong> Buddhism!’<br />
Passion is what has motivated Isabel in her<br />
career. She said her ex-husb<strong>and</strong> Simon<br />
McArthur was her greatest mentor. ‘His<br />
advice to me was always that if you don’t<br />
feel passion for your work either create it or<br />
do something else; don’t get stuck in a place<br />
where you are unhappy <strong>and</strong> dissatisfied.<br />
And as cheesy as it may sound, he gave me<br />
the biggest gift <strong>of</strong> love by letting me go to do<br />
what I needed to do…move on to travel <strong>and</strong><br />
work in Asia.’<br />
To contact Isabel email her at<br />
Isabel.Sebastian@uma.como.bz<br />
Front cover: Isabel <strong>and</strong> prayer flags outside the Kili Nunnery,<br />
located 4,000 m above sea level, in the Himalayas<br />
Top: Isabel with her ‘favourite nuns’ at the Kili Nunnery<br />
Left: Clowning with the Uma Para staff<br />
10 VICTORIA UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY, TOURISM & MARKETING<br />
Passing the torch<br />
Lois Appleby, recently appointed<br />
to the <strong>Faculty</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Business</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Law</strong><br />
as an Adjunct Pr<strong>of</strong>essor, believes<br />
she has had an interesting <strong>and</strong><br />
rewarding career. ‘I was able to<br />
recognise opportunities as they<br />
were presented to me <strong>and</strong> this has<br />
led to much career satisfaction.’<br />
Women <strong>of</strong> her generation were the<br />
‘trailblazers’ for other women, Lois explained.<br />
‘The opportunities women have today didn’t<br />
just appear, we had to work hard to achieve<br />
senior management positions,’ Lois went on.<br />
‘I feel a responsibility to work with young<br />
women, to pass on some <strong>of</strong> my learning<br />
<strong>and</strong> values. That’s why I’m involved in the<br />
mentoring program, although I have a feeling<br />
I’ll enjoy it more than the girls!’<br />
Six female students <strong>of</strong> the School <strong>of</strong><br />
Hospitality, Tourism & Marketing have been<br />
accepted into the mentoring program, which<br />
will be run by the students themselves, but<br />
has no set structure. ‘I will be their guide,’<br />
explained Lois. ‘The idea is to bring out<br />
some key issues that may be troubling them,<br />
to facilitate a warm, sharing environment,<br />
to share fears <strong>and</strong> excitements. There’s no<br />
strategy, <strong>and</strong> it may not evolve the way<br />
we’re all expecting, but we’ll just see where<br />
it goes.’<br />
Lois is the former CEO <strong>of</strong> Tourism <strong>Victoria</strong>,<br />
<strong>and</strong> her responsibilities during her five year<br />
tenure until her retirement earlier this year<br />
included the Commonwealth Games, which<br />
she ensured was a successful event from a<br />
tourism perspective. She has worked in the<br />
major events area for over twenty years,<br />
<strong>and</strong> prior to joining Tourism <strong>Victoria</strong> was the<br />
Sydney 2000 Paralympics Chief Executive.<br />
Lois no longer works full time, but that doesn’t<br />
mean she has much spare time! ‘Certainly<br />
I can take the time now to catch up with<br />
people for lunch or to chat over c<strong>of</strong>fee <strong>and</strong> I<br />
can play more golf or travel, but I’m involved<br />
with four boards <strong>and</strong> in addition to the<br />
adjunct pr<strong>of</strong>essorial role, I am the Honorary<br />
Consul for Canada.’<br />
She is committed to the growth <strong>of</strong> the<br />
tourism <strong>and</strong> events pr<strong>of</strong>ession, <strong>and</strong> feels the<br />
mentoring program is one <strong>of</strong> the ways she<br />
can do that.<br />
To contact Adj Pr<strong>of</strong> Lois Appleby,<br />
email her at lois.appleby@vu.edu.au<br />
Young Tourism Leader<br />
The RACV Club in Melbourne was<br />
the scene <strong>of</strong> another <strong>Victoria</strong><br />
University student triumph. Melissa<br />
Tabuteau (BBus Hosp/Tourism,<br />
2006) won the Melbourne Airport<br />
Developing Tourism <strong>Business</strong><br />
Leaders Awards for her business<br />
proposition Melbourne Attractions<br />
Card.<br />
The Tourism Leaders Awards were<br />
established by Service Skills <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
are aimed at students in their final year <strong>of</strong><br />
a Certificate, Diploma or Bachelor Degree<br />
in tourism <strong>and</strong>/or hospitality studies in<br />
<strong>Victoria</strong>. Students were asked to develop<br />
an innovative business strategy focusing on<br />
small business within the tourism industry. The<br />
strategies were judged by a panel <strong>of</strong> industry<br />
leaders on the basis <strong>of</strong> business feasibility,<br />
product innovation <strong>and</strong> knowledge <strong>of</strong> the<br />
tourism industry.<br />
Presented by the Minister for Tourism, the<br />
Hon John P<strong>and</strong>azopoulos, there were over<br />
120 submissions from students from a range<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong>n institutions, including La Trobe,<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Ballarat, William Angliss TAFE,<br />
NMIT, Kangan Batman TAFE <strong>and</strong> Gordon<br />
Institute <strong>of</strong> TAFE, as well as VU.<br />
Melissa’s proposal outlined the development<br />
<strong>of</strong> a Melbourne Attractions Card, which<br />
tourists can use as an alternative to cash.<br />
She is currently working towards her Masters,<br />
<strong>and</strong> her longer term aim is to work for<br />
Tourism <strong>Victoria</strong> where over 20 School<br />
<strong>of</strong> HTM graduates have been employed.<br />
A presentation to students by then CEO<br />
<strong>of</strong> Tourism <strong>Victoria</strong>, Lois Appleby, kindled<br />
Melissa’s interest.<br />
‘We are always delighted to see our<br />
students achieve great things <strong>and</strong> Melissa<br />
has really done us proud,’ said Pr<strong>of</strong> Brian<br />
King, Head, School <strong>of</strong> Hospitality, Tourism<br />
& Marketing. ‘Her supervisors <strong>and</strong> I are very<br />
excited by her success. Winning this award<br />
is a great demonstration <strong>of</strong> the outst<strong>and</strong>ing<br />
achievements <strong>of</strong> our students <strong>and</strong> graduates.<br />
Melissa’s concept displays imagination <strong>and</strong><br />
entrepreneurial flair <strong>and</strong> I am confident that<br />
she will be a great asset within the tourism<br />
industry.’<br />
VICTORIA UNIVERSITY 11
SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY, TOURISM & MARKETING<br />
Legendary performers<br />
On Sunday 14 June this year more<br />
than two hundred guests gathered<br />
at <strong>Victoria</strong> University’s City Flinders<br />
campus to congratulate the ‘90<br />
Legends’ <strong>of</strong> VU’s <strong>Faculty</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Business</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>Law</strong>.<br />
The ‘Legends’ awards, which formally<br />
acknowledge the contributions <strong>of</strong> former<br />
students, academics <strong>and</strong> industry partners <strong>of</strong><br />
the <strong>Faculty</strong>, were part <strong>of</strong> VU’s 90th birthday<br />
celebrations. The week-long celebration<br />
highlighted the establishment <strong>of</strong> Footscray<br />
Technical School (FIT) in 1916 <strong>and</strong> the journey<br />
that has led <strong>Victoria</strong> University to become what<br />
it is today.<br />
The awards coincided appropriately with the<br />
School <strong>of</strong> Hospitality, Tourism & Marketing’s<br />
win <strong>of</strong> another <strong>Victoria</strong>n Tourism Award<br />
for its tourism education programs. John<br />
P<strong>and</strong>azopoulos, <strong>Victoria</strong>n Minister for Gaming,<br />
Racing <strong>and</strong> Tourism, <strong>and</strong> a staunch supporter<br />
<strong>of</strong> tourism education at VU was a ‘Legends’<br />
recipient, as were Lois Appleby, retired CEO<br />
<strong>of</strong> Tourism <strong>Victoria</strong>; Robert Cannell, Director,<br />
The Legends <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Faculty</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Business</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Law</strong> with Pr<strong>of</strong> Colin Clark, Executive Dean, <strong>Faculty</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Business</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Law</strong><br />
Robert Cannell <strong>and</strong> Associates; Ge<strong>of</strong>frey<br />
Conaghan, General Manager, International<br />
Routes, Melbourne Airport; Mary Maddock,<br />
Director, Mary Maddock Consulting; Jeff Sharp,<br />
Director <strong>of</strong> Autopia Tours; Dean Minett, Area<br />
General Manager, <strong>Victoria</strong>, Ascott International;<br />
<strong>and</strong> Paula Ntalianis, Training Consultant, Crown<br />
Towers <strong>and</strong> Crown Promenade Hotels.<br />
Close-up on Three VU Legends<br />
Teck Boon Chua (BBus, Catering &<br />
Hotel Mgmt, 2000) became the first<br />
overseas student to serve on the VU Student<br />
Union. ‘I really appreciated being able to<br />
study business <strong>and</strong> specialise in catering<br />
<strong>and</strong> hotel management at the same time,’<br />
said Chua. He also found the Co-operative<br />
Education Year invaluable. ‘It makes you<br />
ready for the market, <strong>and</strong> adds value to<br />
the degree, which is very attractive to<br />
employers.’<br />
While in Melbourne, Chua became<br />
interested in the city’s c<strong>of</strong>fee culture, <strong>and</strong><br />
has worked in the industry since he returned<br />
home to Malaysia. Today he is Marketing<br />
Manager at Sai Kee C<strong>of</strong>fee, but maintains<br />
his close links with VU. He a current<br />
member <strong>of</strong> the VU Alumni Advisory Group<br />
<strong>and</strong> president <strong>of</strong> the VU Malaysian Alumni<br />
Chapter, <strong>and</strong> works closely with VU <strong>and</strong><br />
Sunway College to promote the University<br />
in Malaysia.<br />
Growing up in Melbourne, Patrick<br />
Imbardelli (BBus Hotel & Catering Mgmt)<br />
helped out at his father’s restaurant, but his<br />
dream was to work in international hotels.<br />
So in 1978 he embarked on a BBus in<br />
Hotel Management at FIT. As it happened,<br />
he found himself working for Hilton International<br />
in Melbourne before he completed his course.<br />
‘But I eventually did graduate from VU with the<br />
help <strong>of</strong> credits from studies I undertook in the<br />
USA at Cornell University.’<br />
Patrick’s work has seen him live in many<br />
different places around the world, <strong>and</strong> it was<br />
his work in setting up the Saigon Floating Hotel<br />
in what was once known as Saigon (now Ho<br />
Chi Minh City) that he again came in touch<br />
with VU. ‘At the time, Pr<strong>of</strong> Stephanie Fahey from<br />
the <strong>Faculty</strong> <strong>of</strong> Arts was establishing a strong<br />
relationship with Vietnam <strong>and</strong> I was pleased to<br />
give practical support to both Stephanie <strong>and</strong><br />
her faculty.’<br />
He has also helped establish the Fred Hollows<br />
Foundation <strong>and</strong> the Christina Noble Children’s<br />
Foundation, <strong>and</strong> is an active supporter<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Variety Club in Australia <strong>and</strong> New<br />
Zeal<strong>and</strong>. Today he is Chief Executive for the<br />
InterContinental Hotels Group Asia-Pacific.<br />
Zhi Lin (John) Zhang (Postgrad Dip Hosp<br />
& Tourism, 1987) was the first Chinese student<br />
to gain a postgraduate qualification in his field<br />
at FIT. ‘I believe the knowledge <strong>and</strong> skills I<br />
acquired equipped me well for my career in the<br />
tourism industry, <strong>and</strong> provided me with a strong<br />
foundation for my expansion into trading <strong>and</strong><br />
real estate development,’ he said.<br />
A specialist in tourism development <strong>and</strong><br />
international business, John migrated to<br />
Australia in 1989 <strong>and</strong> opened <strong>Victoria</strong>’s first<br />
travel agency with backing from mainl<strong>and</strong><br />
China. His company is now <strong>Victoria</strong>’s largest<br />
tour operator to China.<br />
John retains strong links with VU, employing<br />
graduates <strong>and</strong> students in his <strong>of</strong>fice, <strong>and</strong><br />
sponsoring VU students to study Chinese<br />
language through the <strong>Faculty</strong> <strong>of</strong> Arts. He<br />
is actively involved in school exchanges<br />
between VU <strong>and</strong> universities in China, <strong>and</strong><br />
has helped a dozen students, three <strong>of</strong> whom<br />
now operate their own travel agencies in<br />
Melbourne, to study at VU.<br />
‘I remember my years at VU with much<br />
pleasure,’ John said. ‘I came to Australia<br />
with US$50, <strong>and</strong> I worked hard. But I know<br />
I could not have done anything without<br />
the help I received from my sponsor <strong>and</strong><br />
my Australian friends. In particular, I shall<br />
always be grateful to Sing let Kho, Brian<br />
Wise, Ken Burbridge <strong>and</strong> Brian King for their<br />
kindness <strong>and</strong> support. They were wonderful<br />
role models for a student alone in a foreign<br />
country, <strong>and</strong> I hope that my achievements<br />
helping other young Chinese students to<br />
study in Australia will, in some way, honour<br />
their contributions to my life.’<br />
12 VICTORIA UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY, TOURISM & MARKETING<br />
people are his inspiration<br />
‘I’d decided I wanted to be in the<br />
hospitality industry, <strong>and</strong> when I started<br />
out the only choices here in Melbourne<br />
were William Angliss, where I’d<br />
get a technical-based diploma, or<br />
Footscray Institute <strong>of</strong> Technology (an<br />
early version <strong>of</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> University).<br />
That’s what I wanted, so that’s where<br />
I went,’ explained Ge<strong>of</strong>frey York (BBus<br />
Catering & Hotel Mgmt, 1980).<br />
Today Ge<strong>of</strong>f is General Manager <strong>of</strong> S<strong>of</strong>itel<br />
Brisbane, where he manages a team <strong>of</strong> 400. ‘It’s<br />
Brisbane’s largest hotel conference space. We<br />
get celebrities staying with us, such as Robbie<br />
Williams, Kylie Minogue <strong>and</strong> recently the English<br />
cricket team!’<br />
The hotel turns over $45 million a year, <strong>and</strong> Ge<strong>of</strong>f<br />
says that the challenge is to deliver financial returns<br />
while focussing on developing a luxury culture<br />
within the hotel. ‘All activities are supporting the<br />
S<strong>of</strong>itel br<strong>and</strong>’s upscale positioning.’<br />
Ge<strong>of</strong>f’s career has taken him to some interesting<br />
places, even before graduating. ‘I’d spent my<br />
Co-operative Education Year in South Africa at<br />
Southern Sun Hotels, where I’d had some great<br />
experiences. A week after I finished at VU, I<br />
applied for a Duty Manager’s role at a 220 room<br />
hotel in Melbourne, <strong>and</strong> my resume must have<br />
looked pretty good because after a quick interview<br />
I was <strong>of</strong>fered a job on the spot.’<br />
He stayed for nearly three years learning a lot <strong>and</strong><br />
making, he says, ‘the usual mistakes’ but by the<br />
time he was ready to move on he was the General<br />
Manager.<br />
Since then Ge<strong>of</strong>f has worked in Australia <strong>and</strong><br />
around Asia. ‘I spent 15 years with Southern<br />
Pacific Hotels in Australia <strong>and</strong> Kuala Lumpur.<br />
Next came Singapore with Hilton International.’ In<br />
all, Ge<strong>of</strong>f has had close to seven years working<br />
across north <strong>and</strong> south Asia.<br />
‘My values <strong>and</strong> beliefs in running successful<br />
hotels are drawn from several people in<br />
particular with whom l’ve worked over my career.<br />
Fresh out <strong>of</strong> hotel school my first GM taught me<br />
the power <strong>of</strong> delegation <strong>and</strong> empowerment to front<br />
line employees (many years before that became a<br />
buzz word). Several years later the ability to extract<br />
maximum value from a business was instilled by<br />
a wealthy property developer.’<br />
But every day Ge<strong>of</strong>f’s greatest inspiration is<br />
garnered from the people around him in the<br />
business. ‘They tirelessly try to wow our guests <strong>and</strong><br />
are not motivated by the expectation <strong>of</strong> a gratuity.<br />
They are what really make the business such a joy<br />
to be in.’<br />
With his wife Elizabeth <strong>and</strong> their three boys,<br />
the family has travelled <strong>and</strong> lived around the<br />
Asia Pacific region for 12 years. ‘The boys are<br />
all involved in various sports, <strong>and</strong> I’m an avid<br />
spectator at their events: t-ball, baseball, swimming,<br />
basketball, soccer, rugby union <strong>and</strong> cricket!’<br />
For Ge<strong>of</strong>f, the challenge is always to achieve<br />
some type <strong>of</strong> balance between work <strong>and</strong> family<br />
commitments.<br />
To contact Ge<strong>of</strong>f York email him at<br />
S<strong>of</strong>itel Brisbane on H5992-GM01@<br />
accor.com<br />
vu tafe has a new Culinary Winner<br />
‘It was an incredibly intimidating<br />
experience <strong>and</strong> I didn’t expect to<br />
win, but it was well worth it,’ an<br />
excited but tired Ester Penaflorida<br />
said. Ester, pictured right, won<br />
the gold medal in the Third<br />
Year Apprentice category at the<br />
Melbourne Culinary Challenge at<br />
this year’s Fine Food Australia.<br />
Ester is a student at <strong>Victoria</strong> University TAFE<br />
<strong>and</strong> is currently undertaking the Certificate III in<br />
Hospitality (Commercial Cookery).<br />
The competition, held over four days, saw 60<br />
apprentices putting their culinary skills to the test in<br />
a heated mass cook-<strong>of</strong>f.<br />
Nic Beredimas, Head <strong>of</strong> TAFE Hospitality <strong>and</strong><br />
Tourism Department at VU said, ’This is a sign<br />
that we are definitely doing something right by<br />
competing against some <strong>of</strong> the best apprentices in<br />
the state. This is an excellent result in a very high<br />
pressured contest.’<br />
For more information about VU’s<br />
hospitality courses email janet.<br />
taylor@vu.edu.au<br />
Together with a local radio station, Ge<strong>of</strong>f (centre, <strong>and</strong> the only one<br />
in a tie!) <strong>and</strong> his team raised over $5,000 for the local RSPCA<br />
VICTORIA UNIVERSITY 13
SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY, TOURISM & MARKETING<br />
What motivates tourists<br />
Currently completing her PhD,<br />
Marketing Lecturer P<strong>and</strong>ora Kay is<br />
investigating tourists’ perceptions<br />
about attending cultural attractions<br />
<strong>and</strong> events while on holiday<br />
in Melbourne. ‘I’m particularly<br />
interested in what cultural<br />
experiences they like, why they<br />
go, what benefits they expect from<br />
attending, <strong>and</strong> what benefits were<br />
gained from cultural experience<br />
attendance,’ explained P<strong>and</strong>ora.<br />
As with many other destinations, Melbourne<br />
is positioning itself as an event <strong>and</strong> cultural<br />
capital, <strong>and</strong> P<strong>and</strong>ora’s research will have<br />
implications for developing marketing<br />
strategies to attract tourists to such events <strong>and</strong><br />
destinations.<br />
P<strong>and</strong>ora explained that despite the crosscultural<br />
nature <strong>of</strong> international tourism, cultural<br />
research <strong>of</strong> tourists’ cultural experience,<br />
attitudes <strong>and</strong> motivations is lacking. ‘Testing<br />
for cultural differences between some <strong>of</strong><br />
Melbourne’s major tourist markets is a focus,<br />
as is testing for differences between Englishspeaking<br />
Western tourists <strong>and</strong> Asian tourists.’<br />
The research will also test for differences<br />
between different sub-samples <strong>of</strong> English-<br />
speaking Western tourists from the<br />
international tourist markets <strong>of</strong> New Zeal<strong>and</strong>,<br />
North America, United Kingdom <strong>and</strong> Irel<strong>and</strong>,<br />
as well as domestic tourists from Melbourne’s<br />
nearby states (SA, NSW <strong>and</strong> Qld). And within<br />
the Asian tourist market, the research looks at<br />
differences between Chinese-speaking tourists<br />
<strong>and</strong> Japanese-speaking tourists.<br />
‘The research involved primary data collection<br />
at the Queen <strong>Victoria</strong> Market (QVM) over a<br />
seven week period from December 2005<br />
to February 2006,’ explained P<strong>and</strong>ora. ‘A<br />
team <strong>of</strong> 12 bilingual data collection research<br />
assistants was recruited <strong>and</strong> trained by me,<br />
<strong>and</strong> assisted me with the data collection in<br />
shifts throughout the 29 market trading days<br />
during this period.’ The fact that the QVM<br />
management gave permission for the data<br />
collection to take place at the market itself was<br />
quite a coup because it is one <strong>of</strong> Melbourne’s<br />
top tourist attractions for international <strong>and</strong><br />
domestic tourists.<br />
Although the research is yet to be finalised,<br />
preliminary findings indicate tourists have<br />
a liking for art <strong>and</strong> history-related cultural<br />
experiences, traditional performing arts,<br />
famous culture, <strong>and</strong> for social interaction at<br />
cultural experiences, as well as for cultural<br />
experiences that have been recommended by<br />
others.<br />
‘The main motives for tourists going to cultural<br />
experiences are for the novelty, to learn about<br />
local culture, for relaxation, to have social<br />
consumption <strong>of</strong> refreshments, <strong>and</strong> shopping<br />
for souvenirs in the ancillary facilities,’ said<br />
P<strong>and</strong>ora. ‘Tourists’ expectations <strong>of</strong> cultural<br />
experiences are edutainment (a combination<br />
<strong>of</strong> education <strong>and</strong> entertainment), refreshments,<br />
relaxation, <strong>and</strong> for clean facilities <strong>and</strong> clear<br />
<strong>and</strong> helpful signs. The benefits gained came<br />
from tourists who were emotionally involved,<br />
relaxed mentally, escaped into another world,<br />
gained knowledge <strong>and</strong> got a feeling <strong>of</strong><br />
accomplishment.’<br />
Surprisingly, P<strong>and</strong>ora found that there were no<br />
statistically significant cross-cultural differences<br />
in these findings except for the different groups<br />
<strong>of</strong> English-speaking Western tourists <strong>and</strong> their<br />
motives for going to cultural experiences.<br />
Final analysis for the completed PhD is expected<br />
in early <strong>2007</strong>.<br />
For more information email<br />
P<strong>and</strong>ora Kay at p<strong>and</strong>ora.kay@<br />
vu.edu.au<br />
Top right: Queen <strong>Victoria</strong> Market, a tourist mecca<br />
Above: Students collecting data from shoppers at QVM<br />
14 VICTORIA UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY, TOURISM & MARKETING<br />
boosting event management skills<br />
Each year <strong>Victoria</strong> plays host to<br />
hundreds <strong>of</strong> international <strong>and</strong><br />
national sporting <strong>and</strong> business<br />
events. The events industry is<br />
growing <strong>and</strong> developing, <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>Victoria</strong> University’s leading<br />
position in event management<br />
education has made it the most<br />
successful <strong>and</strong> established provider<br />
<strong>of</strong> hospitality <strong>and</strong> tourism tertiary<br />
education in Australia. In fact,<br />
VU is the only higher education<br />
institution to have won (three<br />
times) the National Tourism Award<br />
for Excellence in Tourism Education<br />
<strong>and</strong> Training.<br />
The dem<strong>and</strong> for event management<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essionals continues to increase. In<br />
conjunction with the Australia centre for Event<br />
Management, VU’s Centre for Hospitality <strong>and</strong><br />
Tourism Research now <strong>of</strong>fers the Executive<br />
Certificate in Event Management.<br />
The Certificate is a four day course designed<br />
to provide a foundation <strong>of</strong> key skills <strong>and</strong><br />
knowledge associated with the creation <strong>and</strong><br />
delivery <strong>of</strong> events, from private functions such<br />
as weddings <strong>and</strong> parties, to large public<br />
events like festivals, fairs <strong>and</strong> sporting events.<br />
The course is designed to both enhance the<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essional skills <strong>and</strong> knowledge base <strong>of</strong><br />
those already employed in the event industry,<br />
<strong>and</strong> to serve as a sound platform for people<br />
wanting to launch careers in the field <strong>of</strong> event<br />
management.<br />
The course content was developed after<br />
analysing the results <strong>of</strong> an extensive survey <strong>of</strong><br />
event management pr<strong>of</strong>essionals. Through a mix<br />
<strong>of</strong> lectures, class exercises <strong>and</strong> case studies,<br />
students develop an underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> the theory<br />
<strong>and</strong> practice <strong>of</strong> creating <strong>and</strong> delivering various<br />
types <strong>of</strong> events.<br />
Teaching the course are two event management<br />
specialists Rob Harris <strong>and</strong> Johnny Allen. Rob is<br />
a Senior Lecturer <strong>and</strong> the Director, Australian<br />
Centre for Event Management, University <strong>of</strong><br />
Technology, Sydney, <strong>and</strong> has been involved<br />
in event management training, education<br />
<strong>and</strong> curriculum development for over ten<br />
years. Johnny is the Foundation Director <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Australian Centre for Event Management <strong>and</strong> an<br />
Adjunct Lecturer at the School <strong>of</strong> Leisure, Sport<br />
<strong>and</strong> Tourism, University <strong>of</strong> Technology, Sydney.<br />
He has more than 30 years experience in the<br />
field <strong>of</strong> event management.<br />
For information about the course<br />
email barry.omahony@vu.edu.au<br />
helping those less fortunate<br />
Roatchana (Nui) Sungthong (MBus<br />
E-commerce & Mktg, 2006) has<br />
chosen to utilise her qualifications<br />
<strong>and</strong> personality in the service <strong>of</strong> the<br />
disadvantaged <strong>of</strong> the world.<br />
She has joined ActionAid International, a<br />
development agency formed to fight poverty<br />
worldwide working towards a career in<br />
fundraising for cause-related non-pr<strong>of</strong>it<br />
organisations. Roatchana is currently the<br />
personal assistant to the Asia Regional Director<br />
<strong>of</strong> ActionAid in Thail<strong>and</strong>.<br />
Roatchana said that her recent trip to India was<br />
inspiring. ‘My colleagues <strong>and</strong> I flew from Delhi to<br />
Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The place is infamous for<br />
the 2002 riots, where a large number <strong>of</strong> people<br />
<strong>of</strong> Muslim religion were slaughtered.’<br />
The women in the picture with Roatchana<br />
(pictured fifth from the left) have all lost their<br />
loved ones...husb<strong>and</strong>s, children, relatives, during<br />
the riots, <strong>and</strong> they are now living in constant<br />
fear <strong>of</strong> their lives. They are also struggling to<br />
stay alive in a region that is plagued by poverty.<br />
‘You can see their plight in their eyes,’ said<br />
Roatchana sadly.<br />
VICTORIA UNIVERSITY 15
SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY, TOURISM & MARKETING<br />
THE THIRD DEGREE ANGELA DRAYTON<br />
Angela with daughter Cassidy on a recent outing to Melbourne’s zoo<br />
Education: BBus Tourism & Mktg, 2002<br />
Why Tourism <strong>and</strong> Marketing<br />
I had been working in the tourism industry since<br />
I left school <strong>and</strong> I really enjoyed it. You have<br />
the opportunity to travel <strong>and</strong> meet a lot <strong>of</strong> new,<br />
interesting people. And because I was working<br />
at the same time as studying, I could see the<br />
relevance <strong>of</strong> everything I was learning, so that<br />
was an added bonus.<br />
Current role:<br />
I’m General Manager <strong>of</strong> the Australasian Spa<br />
Association. It’s a small organisation, but an<br />
important one, <strong>and</strong> our role is to promote<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essionalism <strong>and</strong> st<strong>and</strong>ards within the global<br />
community, <strong>and</strong> grow a vibrant <strong>and</strong> sustainable<br />
industry.<br />
How you got there:<br />
I started as a marketing assistant with Deluxe<br />
Coachlines here in Melbourne, then moved<br />
into various sales <strong>and</strong> marketing positions with<br />
other tourism organisations. I’ve worked at<br />
Destination Australia Marketing, the Northern<br />
Territory Government Tourism Bureau both in<br />
Melbourne <strong>and</strong> Los Angeles in the USA. In<br />
1997 I came back to Australia to work with the<br />
InterContinental Cable Beach Resort in Broome<br />
(but, unfortunately, based in Melbourne, not in<br />
Broome!), <strong>and</strong> eventually I wound up at Tourism<br />
<strong>Victoria</strong>. I spent nearly six years there, but my<br />
greatest experience was to manage the 20th<br />
annual <strong>Victoria</strong>n Tourism Awards which was<br />
AWESOME! I had the good fortune to deal<br />
with tourism operators who were achieving or<br />
aspiring for excellence. They were passionate,<br />
friendly, inspiring people with whom it has<br />
been my absolute pleasure to work.<br />
Secrets to success:<br />
I believe that study is valuable <strong>and</strong> vital, but<br />
your networks, relationships <strong>and</strong> people skills<br />
are integral <strong>and</strong> critical to success.<br />
WHERE ARE THEY NOW<br />
Christina Beddoe, BBus Travel/Tourism Mgmt,<br />
1993, Director, ECPAT, London, UK<br />
Holly Bundy, BBus Hosp/Tourism Mgmt, 2005,<br />
Sales Coordinator, Sheraton Vancouver Wall Center,<br />
Vancouver, Canada<br />
Avril Carter, BBus Catering & Hotel Mgmt, 1990,<br />
Regional Sales Manager, M<strong>and</strong>arin Oriental Hotel<br />
Group, London, UK<br />
George Delic, BBus Tourism Mgmt, 2002,<br />
Accounts Payable Supervisor, AAT Kings, Melb, Vic<br />
Gill Di Pasquale, BBus Tourism Mgmt, 2000,<br />
<strong>Business</strong> Development Manager, New Zeal<strong>and</strong> &<br />
North America, Tourism <strong>Victoria</strong>, Melb, Vic<br />
Sophie Dougall, MBus Event Mgmt, 2005, Event<br />
Services Executive, Hayman Isl<strong>and</strong> Resort, Hayman<br />
Isl<strong>and</strong>, Qld<br />
Robert Drake, BBus Travel & Tourism Mgmt,<br />
1994, Managing Director, Carat Australia, Melb, Vic<br />
Angela Drayton, BBus Tourism & Mktg, 2003,<br />
General Manager, Australasian Spa Association,<br />
Melb, Vic<br />
Flavio Faccone, BBus Tourism Mgmt, 2004,<br />
Domestic Corporate Consultant, Carlson Wagonlit,<br />
Melb, Vic<br />
Jarrod Fong-Lim, BBus Hosp/HR Mgmt, 2006,<br />
Reservation Sales Agent, Clarion Suites Gateway,<br />
Melb, Vic<br />
Tony Freedman, BBus Catering & Hotel Mgmt,<br />
1989, Manager, Travel Associates Freedman &<br />
Turner, Albert Park, Vic<br />
Ying (Jenny) Guo, MBus Hosp/Tourism Mktg,<br />
2003, Inbound Sales Executive (Eastern Hemisphere),<br />
Batmans Hill on Collins, Melb, Vic<br />
Hannah Han Duong, BBus Tourism Mgmt,<br />
2002, Manager, Hannah Travel P/L, Footscray West,<br />
Vic<br />
Stephen Kleinitz, BBus Tourism Mgmt, 2001,<br />
Tourism NSW, Sydney, NSW<br />
Am<strong>and</strong>a Lewin, BBus Catering & Hotel Mgmt,<br />
2000, <strong>Business</strong> Development Director - Vic/SA,<br />
Holiday Inn on Flinders, Melb, Vic<br />
Paul Matthews, Grad Cert Events Mgmt, 1998,<br />
Marketing Manager, Yarra Trams, Melb, Vic<br />
Andrew McLeod, BBus Mktg/Tourism Mgmt,<br />
2006, Resident Co-ordinator, Unilodge, Hawthorn,<br />
Vic<br />
<strong>Victoria</strong> Murfett, BBus Tourism Mgmt, 2006,<br />
Travel Consultant, Austravel, London, UK<br />
Jim Parashos, B Bus Travel & Tourism Mgmt,<br />
1998, Deputy Director Aviation Development,<br />
Northern Territory Airports, Darwin, NT<br />
Jenny Pham, BBus Mktg/Internet Trade, 2006,<br />
Employment Liaison Administration Officer, Student<br />
Career Development Centre, <strong>Victoria</strong> University, Melb,<br />
Vic<br />
Antony Platford, BBus Hotel Mgmt & Catering<br />
Mgmt, 1994, General Manager, S<strong>of</strong>itel Xanadu<br />
Resort, Hangzhou, China<br />
Doddy Purwoko, BBus Tourism Mgmt, 2002,<br />
Sales Manager, WEL Travel, Melb, Vic<br />
It’s so easy to get on the Alumni mailing<br />
list: simply email us at alumni@vu.edu.au<br />
Anthony Ross, BBus Catering & Hotel Mgmt,<br />
1998, General Manager, Indigo Pearl Resort, Phuket,<br />
Thail<strong>and</strong><br />
Sebastian Seitel, BBus Hosp Mgmt, 2005,<br />
Events Manager, Gr<strong>and</strong> Hyatt Hong Kong, Hong<br />
Kong, SAR<br />
Karina Senn, BBus Events Mgmt, 2005, Events<br />
Co-ordinator, Australian Swim School Owners<br />
Association, Essendon, Vic<br />
Roatchana (Nui) Sungthong, MBus<br />
E-commerce & Mktg, 2006, Personal Assistant to Asia<br />
Regional Director, ActionAid, Thail<strong>and</strong><br />
Julia Swanston, BBus Catering & Hotel Mgmt,<br />
1998, <strong>Business</strong> Development Director - National<br />
Sales, InterContinental Hotels Group, Melb, Vic<br />
Thai Tan, BBus Tourism Mgmt, 2005, <strong>Business</strong><br />
Development/Sales Manager - Leisure <strong>and</strong> Incentives,<br />
Australian Tours Management, Carlton, Vic<br />
Alison Taylor, BBus Catering & Hotel Mgmt,<br />
1985, VP Sales - Asia Pacific, Starwood Hotels,<br />
Singapore<br />
Suzanne Vergers, BBus Catering & Hotel Mgmt,<br />
1989, Teacher, Swinburne University, TAFE Division,<br />
School <strong>of</strong> <strong>Business</strong> <strong>and</strong> E-commerce, Lilydale, Vic<br />
Paul Williamson, BBus Catering & Hotel Mgmt,<br />
2005, General Manager, Soho House, London, UK<br />
Ge<strong>of</strong>frey York, BBus Catering & Hotel Mgmt,<br />
1980, Managing Director, S<strong>of</strong>itel Brisbane, Brisbane,<br />
Qld<br />
Johnson Zhang, BBus Tourism Mgmt, 2005,<br />
General Manager, Quest on Flemington, Melb, Vic<br />
16 VICTORIA UNIVERSITY