News archive
British tourism at its Peak
With research showing the tourism industry brings about £1.6bn into the Yorkshire economy a year, leading national tourism experts have gathered in the Peak District National Park to discuss the future of tourism in the region.
At a conference organised by the Centre for Tourism, Hospitality and Events Research at Sheffield Hallam University, Richard Caborn MP and Tom Levitt MP praised the tourism industry in the Peak District and examined the future relationship between the tourism industry, government and higher education.
Richard Caborn urged tourism educators to work with industry to present a unified voice to government in order to influence policy.
Sustainable tourism was also a key topic, and according to speakers the tourism industry needs to become greener across the board.
Guest speakers for the conference, held at Losehill Hall, included Richard Caborn MP, Tom Levitt MP, Dr Kevin Nield from Sheffield Business School, Dr Cathy Guthrie Secretary of the Tourism Management Institute and Professor Chris Cooper, Dean of Oxford Brookes University Business School. Delegates came from as far afield as South Africa, Canada and Europe.
CITouR and CIHMR perform strongly in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise
The 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) recently confirmed Sheffield Hallam University as one of the premier centres for research in tourism and hospitality.
The tourism research of CITouR and the hospitality research of the Centre for International Hospitality Management Research (CIHMR) were assessed as part of the University's submission in Unit of Assessment 46 - Sports-Related Studies. This submission was ranked fourth for quality combined with quantity, out of the 39 submissions by universities within the category.
In the submission of 31 researchers the overall profile was 10 per cent at 4* (the highest possible rating), 25 per cent at 3* and 40 per cent at 2*, with the majority of research publications (70 per cent) being rated as of 'international standard'. Furthermore, 9.2 per cent of the publications were seen as 'world leading' and 21.6 per cent were 'internationally excellent'. All parts of the submission were identified as having contributed to an environment of international standing.
The high rating for CITouR and CIHMR in this impartial national assessment further strengthens their established reputations for research excellence. Both centres are continuing to work closely with Sports-Related Studies colleagues as they move forward.
Launch of the Visitor Economy Research Unit
A new Visitor Economy Research Unit has been established at Sheffield Hallam University, in recognition of a policy shift away from the 'tourism economy' to the concept of the 'visitor economy', and the associated cross-sector and cross-disciplinary interests associated with this shift.
Co-directed by Dr Nicola Palmer and Dave Egan (from the Centre for International Hospitality Management Research), the Visitor Economy Research Unit aims to provide a home for visitor-economy related studies and research themes, incorporating a focus on both established and non-traditional visitor areas. We are also interested in socio-cultural and environmental aspects of the economy.
The unit has recognised synergies with the Tourism, Leisure and Environmental Change Unit, in terms of research student supervision and international project management. Nicola and Dave have also recently linked up with staff in the Sport Industry Research Centre to assist in the development of regional cultural leadership for the Local Government Yorkshire and Humber (LGYH).
Recent visitor economy-related projects (2007-2009) include
- analysing the Doncaster visitor economy
- estimating the impact of the Northern Racing College (NRC) and the St Leger Horse Park on the Doncaster visitor economy
- measuring the visitor economy in South Yorkshire
- integrating migrant workers into the tourism, hospitality and leisure workforce
- Sherwood Forest Regional Park feasibility study
Projects relating to the measurement of the visitor economy are currently being rolled out on a district-by-district basis across South Yorkshire. Further national, regional and local projects relating to the visitor economy are also under discussion with a range of public sector players and private sector tourism and leisure developers. International refereed conference papers have been submitted based on Dave and Nicola's conceptual and methodological reviews. Other academic publications are in the pipeline.
For further information on the work of the Visitor Economy Research Unit, please contact Dave Egan or Dr Nicola Palmer.
Success at the Hospitality Alumni Mentor/Mentee Forum
The event, held on Thursday 6 November in London, was an opportunity for final year students to meet their mentors, to welcome back past graduates and to showcase our Mentor Scheme to guests from the hospitality industry.
Keynote speaker Gemma Ellen, HR Director of Marriott Park Lane, spoke of the need to be generation savvy in order to understand how to get the best from talented individuals. She also reflected on what led her to investigate the generation gap, and how she used her findings to create the right job offers in order to attract 'Generation Y'.
As a result of our long relationship with Marriott, our hospitality students now progress directly to the second stage of the Marriott recruitment process.
| Reflections from mentees | Reflections from mentors | Reflections from industry guests |
| 'The jump from graduation to employment is huge and I feel the gap has now decreased. | 'I was really energised by the whole event'. | 'It was a really impressive event'. |
| I found the day really useful and it was great to meet face to face with my mentor. | ||
| I know the scheme is going to be very beneficial for me especially as I have been offered a job shadow which will help me better understand his role and the job opportunities available'. | ||
| 'I believe very strongly in the alumni scheme you are setting up, and the event enabled me to really understand the value of such a network'. | 'It's always great to see the next batch of Sheffield Hallam University stars and to catch up with others'. | 'I am very interested in the mentoring scheme and the networking involved with it'. |
Jane Eastham's collaborative research develops into successful EPRSC bid for Birmingham College
Jane Eastham has been working on an EPRSC research project with Birmingham College of Food. The results from the EPRSC bid valued at £300,000 show they have been highly commended in most of the criteria.
Second visiting fellows dinner is a big success
The event was well attended by visiting fellows and those from the Food Service Consultants Society International FCSI (UK and Ireland). Sheffield Hallam University and FCSI are currently developing the first UK MSc degree programme in International Hospitality Design and Management Consultancy.
CIHMR members publications list available
To obtain a copy in either hard or electronic format, please contact Thea Potter on 0114 225 5500 or at cihmr@shu.ac.uk.
Mike Rimmington unpicks sustainability
In the first of a series of thought provoking and reflective articles, Mike Rimmington reflects on sustainability in the Hospitality industry.
To read the full article, titled 'Sustainability: Or should it be Environmental Management? Or Corporate Social Responsibility? Or …?' please click here to download the newsletter (PDF 102KB).
Annual Visiting Fellows Meeting and Dinner
The Centre for International Hospitality Management Research (CIHMR) held its annual Visiting Fellows Meeting and Dinner on Wednesday 19 November 2008.
Both were very well attended by academic members of CIHMR, researchers, visiting fellows and other guests from the hospitality industry.
Among the items discussed at the meeting were the forthcoming CIHMR conferences, to be held in 2009 - further details will be released early next year.
The dinner was very kindly sponsored by Dave Wickett, one of CIHMR's visiting fellows and, amongst other positions, the owner of Kelham Island Brewery in Sheffield. Dave supplied a selection of three traditional English beers to accompany the 'English Autumn' menu.
Launch of the St. Leger Horse Park Visitor Centre
Dr Nicola Palmer attended the VIP opening of the St Leger Horse Park Visitor Centre, Doncaster in July, 2008. The centre is forecast to contribute significantly to the overall Doncaster visitor economy.
Nicola has recently completed consultancy on the impact of the Northern Racing College (NRC) and the St. Leger Horse Park on the Doncaster Visitor Economy working with Dave Egan (Centre for International Hospitality Management Research).
Questionnaire on hospitality management education in the UK
It is 10 years since the last national review of hospitality management education took place and much has happened in higher and further education since then. The CHME report (1998) has been used to inform much debate and discussion in the development and validation of Honours degrees, HNDs and foundation degrees in hospitality management over the last 10 years across the UK. However, a review of hospitality management education's present position and a reflection upon the recommendations from the original report is now long overdue.
CIHMR has been commissioned by the Council for Hospitality Management Education (CHME) to conduct a review of hospitality management education in the UK. This questionnaire aims to collect data from heads of departments (or equivalent, e.g. Hospitality Group Leader) offering hospitality management courses in UK Universities.
To take part in the survey, please download and complete the questionnaire(Word 195KB) and return by email or post to
Thea Potter,
Research and Business Development Team
Room 7103, Stoddart Building
Sheffield Business School
Sheffield Hallam University
City Campus
Sheffield
S1 1WB
Tel: 0114 225 5500
Fax: 0114 225 5268
Email: t.potter@shu.ac.uk
Royal rights sold
The English Language rights for Dr Nicola Palmer's co-edited book 'Royal Tourism - Excursions Around Monarchy' (published 2007) have now been sold to a publisher for distribution to the India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Maldives markets.
Domestic tourism in Central Asia
Dr Nicola Palmer's book chapter on 'Kyrgyz Tourism at Lake Issyk-Kul - legacies of pre-communist and soviet regimes' will be launched at the International Sociological Association (ISA) regional meeting in Jaipur, India in November 2008. It is part of one of the groundbreaking texts on domestic tourism - 'Before Tourism: Explorations in Holidaymaking and Journeying in Asia'.
Both Nicola and CITouR PhD student, Amartuvshin Dorjsuren (a former Sheffield Hallam tourism masters student from Mongolia) have had book chapters accepted for the publication.
VocMat 2 research findings now available to download
Research findings from the Vocational Management Training for the European Tourism Industry project (VocMat 2), a partner project managed by CITouR's Jayne Stocks, are now available to download from the VocMat website.
The VocMat 2 project runs from November 2007 - October 2009 and transfers the innovative learning model developed during the VocMat pilot project into new partner countries and new pilot groups. This project is funded with support from the European Commission through the Lifelong Learning Programme.
The research includes an online survey of tourism managers and industry representatives across Europe, as well as focus group research in several of the VocMat 2 partner countries. The research found a continuing mismatch between the types of training commonly available to tourism managers and what they actually want.
To download the research findings of the recently published research report, 'Addressing Training and Development Issues in European Tourism Management', please visit the VocMat website using the links below.
> Download Executive Summary
> Download Full Report
CITouR Head contributes to BBC Radio 4 programme
John Swarbrooke has recently contributed to the BBC Radio 4 programme 'Costing the Earth', on the subject of sustainable tourism.
China trip
Together with Laura Matthews from the International Office at Sheffield Hallam University, CITouR member Kitty Wang visited seven cities in China to complete recruitment work for NCUK (North Consortium United Kingdom) students. NCUK has been established since 1987 and provides international foundation years for students in China. It currently has 17 UK member universities all of which recognize its international foundation degree.
Kitty visited seven Chinese centres and met students who were interested in Sheffield Hallam University, providing course information and advising them how to choose a suitable degree based on their interests. Most of the students Kitty saw were interested in Tourism and Hospitality Management, which shows the high reputation of this University's courses in China.
New MA Tourism for International Development
CITouR is proud to announce the launch of its new MA in Tourism for International Development.
This course is for people interested in international development issues and using tourism as a development tool in countries around the world which has been developed using our research and consultancy expertise in this field.
The course will begin in September 2008 and will enable students to develop a deeper awareness of international development and to critically assess the relationships between host countries, governments, donor agencies, multinational tourism companies and international tourists.
For further information please click here to view the online prospectus entry or call 0114 225 2820 / e-mail ominfo@shu.ac.uk.
Hospitality Alumni Network launched
The Hospitality Alumni Network supports the development of our alumni through events, networking opportunities and knowledge exchange. To register for the network you must have studied a hospitality related course at Sheffield Hallam University.
The network has been created in response to our alumni and is designed to meet the specific needs of our graduates working in the hospitality industry. Our aim is to provide you with an opportunity to access hospitality expertise through key speakers, involvement in research projects and preferential rates for further study and business services.
The network will also promote the creation of smaller special interest networks between alumni and allow members direct access to both undergraduate and postgraduate students seeking placement and employment opportunities.
In addition you can receive regular updates on hospitality research activity, keep in touch with your cohort and much more.
> Visit the Hospitality Alumni Network website
Download the new CIHMR Publication List
The new CIHMR Publication List for Summer 2008 is now complete.
Please see below to download a PDF version, or contact Thea Potter on 0114 225 5500 to request a hard copy.
> Download the list (PDF 310KB)
New Food Innovation Project reports
During the 2007-2008 academic year the Centre for International Hospitality Management Research (CIHMR) conducted a series of research projects for the Food Innovation Project funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).
The general working title for the research series was 'Current practices and trends of food procurement in Sheffield restaurants'.
The first project report titled 'Independent Restaurants in Sheffield: Current practices and trends in food procurement' (executive summary: PDF 103KB) was an overview of the supply and demand for ethical and sustainable produce in independently owned Sheffield restaurants. This research produced further questions about supply and consumer demand within the restaurant sector and therefore, two follow up research projects were conducted concurrently by the research team.
'Consumer perception of organic, ethical and local foods served in restaurants in the Sheffield area' (executive summary: PDF 108KB) investigated consumer demand for ethical and sustainable produce in Sheffield restaurants.
The next project - 'Regional Suppliers to Independent Restaurants in Sheffield' (executive summary: PDF 239KB) - investigated and reported on the supply chain and food procurement for independent restaurants in Sheffield.
The full reports, priced £35 each plus P&P, are available from cihmr@shu.ac.uk.
CIHMR head attends first Yorkshire South Conference Ambassador VIP event
29 May 2008
Professor Stephen Ball recently attended the first ever Yorkshire South Tourism (YST) Conference Ambassador VIP Event, on Thursday 29 May 2008.
The YST Conference Ambassador Programme was launched in 2007 by Lord Robert Winston, Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University, to establish a network of 'conference ambassadors' whose shared aim is to attract national and international events to the city by promoting Sheffield and the wider region as a perfect destination for conferences and meetings.
Sheffield Hallam's own conference organiser, Conference 21, was the first organisation to link up with Yorkshire South and Professor Stephen Ball become one of 60 ambassadors at the programme launch programme at the University in November last year. He was joined at the first VIP event - one of a series being held to thank ambassadors for their support - by fellow ambassadors Peter Hayes, Director of the University's Enterprise Centre, and Professor Mike Smith, the University's Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research.
The event was held at Sheffield City Hall, which has hosted over 1,000 conferences and events since its £12.5 million refurbishment, and comprised a behind the scenes venue tour and a VIP workshop with a member of the Halle orchestra, followed by an evening of classical music.
Professor Stephen Ball (back row, fourth from right) is pictured with a group of ambassadors including Pro Vice-Chancellor Mike Smith (back row, second from right) and Peter Hayes (back row, far left), as well as Gemma Bradshaw, YST Ambassador Manager, Chris Welsh, YST Chair, and a member of the Halle orchestra.
For further information on the ambassador programme please visit www.yorkshiresouth.com/ambassador.
On Her Majesty's Silver Service - CIHMR head attends British hospitality industry reception at Buckingham Palace
6 May 2008
The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, The Duke of Kent and The Earl of Wessex, recently hosted a reception in the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace to recognise the contributions to, and achievements in the British Hospitality Industry.
Director of CIHMR Professor Stephen Ball was honoured to attend the event, where he was received by The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh to mark his achievements and contributions to the industry over a period of 30 years. As the Chair of the Council for Hospitality Management Education (CHME), Stephen was also asked to recommend five other people who have made an exceptional contribution to higher education in the industry to attend the reception.
Mei-Lin Cheung, an Associate Lecturer in hospitality subjects at Sheffield Hallam, was also invited and attended with her husband Jerry, a visiting fellow of CIHMR. Together the couple have made a valuable contribution to hospitality management education and the hospitality industry (especially in Sheffield) over many years, having opened a number of restaurants and bars including the successful Simply Chinese Bar and Restaurant Group.
Mei-Lin regularly gives visiting lectures to undergraduate and postgraduate hospitality management students at Sheffield Hallam, provides industrial projects for hospitality management students to conduct, employs placement students and graduates and generally gives an enormous amount back to higher education. In addition Mei-Lin is strongly connected to the Chinese community in Sheffield and is supporting husband Jerry, the chairman of the Sheffield Chinese Association, who is working tirelessly to establish a designated Chinatown area in Sheffield.
The event at Buckingham Palace showcased how hospitality is provided within the Royal Household and highlighted how the Royal Family supports the hospitality industry through training and education. Guests at the reception were able to view a special display of items for the Royal Collection depicting Royal hospitality throughout the ages.
Over 350 guests were in attendance at the event, from Britain's Friendliest Landlady and the Young Fish Fryer of the Year to internationally renowned chefs including Gordon Ramsay, Raymond Blanc and Anton Mossiman, plus well-known hoteliers such as Sir Rocco Forte and his sister, Olga Polizzi. As well as Stephen and Mei-Lin, a number of CIHMR's visiting fellows were also in attendance including Professor David Littlejohn (Glasgow Caledonian University), Mike Audis (Elior UK), Mike Stapleton (Compass Group UK and Ireland), Anne Pierce (Springboard UK) and Jane Sunley (Learnpurple Ltd).
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