Research Methods for Tourism Students

This text encourages students to think about the importance of research in informing good practice and to appreciate the role that it plays in the tourism industry. Additionally, it provides students with innovative ideas and inspiration to undertake their own research work in Tourism and inform them of the wide diversity of research strategies and contexts that are available.

The content is written from a researcher’s point of view and will provide a step by step guide to accomplish a research project or dissertation in the field of tourism. The reader is guided right from the beginning in selecting a topic for research, identifying research aims and objectives and research questions. It then assists the student researcher in determining which research methods are the most appropriate and practical means to answer a research question and to achieve the research aims and objectives. The reader is then shown how to analyse and interpret their data (quantitative and qualitative) as well writing up the research project. The book incorporates not only traditional research methods, but also contemporary techniques such as e – methods as well as its data collection and analysis.

Tourism specific research case study examples are integrated throughout to show application of theory, it reflects the distinct characteristics of the tourism industry by including both social science and business perspectives and way tourism research focuses more on understanding of actions and behaviour. It integrates a range of useful learning aids to aid navigation throughout the book, spur critical thinking and further students’ knowledge.

This book is visually accessible and whilst written in an engaging style nonetheless maintains academic rigor grounded in research and scholarship. This is essential reading for all Tourism students.

Ramesh Durbarry is currently the Director General of the Civil Service College, Mauritius. He was appointed Professor in Tourism and Deputy Director at the Amity Institute of Higher Education, Mauritius. He has worked at the University of Bedfordshire as Head of Department Marketing, Tourism & Hospitality. He was the CEO of the UOM Trust Business School in Mauritius and has also worked at the University of Nottingham as a Research Fellow, Lecturer in Research Methods of Tourism and Travel and then as Associate Professor in Tourism Management/Marketing. After successfully developing the School of Public Sector Policy and Management at the University of Technology, Mauritius, he was instrumental in the creation of the School of Sustainable Development and Tourism. His research focuses on tourism and travel, tourism taxation, price sensitivity of tourism and the impact of the tourism sector on the various economies, with a keen interest on climate change and sustainable tourism. He has published various articles in leading international journals and has contributed chapters in international books. He has worked on various projects for organisations such as WTO, UNWTO, EU, UNCTAD, VisitScotland, EMDA, among others and on tourism destinations such as Malta and Cyprus.