Professing tourism: tourism academics as educators, researchers and change leaders

Abstract

Three different sources - the published accounts of a select few academics, details from personal experiences, and interviews (N=12) and surveys of international academics (N=42) - are used to identify key issues confronting the tourism academic role. It is suggested that concerns with disciplinary status and methods, the perceived public relevance of tourism research and education, and the management of tourism academic careers are common cross-national and cross-generational topics. Using a reflexive and avowedly personal approach, suggestions on understanding and managing these issues are offered.