Professor Larry Dwyer, the QANTAS Professor of Travel and Tourism Economics, University of New South Wales, was the recent guest lecturer to first-year students enrolled in an Understanding Tourism subject at CQU Rockhampton.

Professor Dwyer’s lecture focussed on the economic dimensions of tourism.

Students were surprised about the importance of tourism; in particular, that Australia earns from one international tourist what it would earn by exporting 6 tonnes of sugar or 8 tonnes of alumina or 10 tonnes of wheat or 27 tonnes of coal or 64 tonnes of iron ore.

Professor Dwyer highlighted his lecture presentation with examples based on his work for the World Tourism Organisation, Tourism New South Wales and Tourism Queensland, consultancy work for the Commonwealth Department of Tourism and participation as a member of the London-based World Travel and Tourism Corporation Tax Force Panel as well as the US-based Business Enterprises for Sustainable Development (BEST).

Professor Dwyer has extensive experience and an extensive publication record in tourism economics.

During his visit to CQU, Professor Dwyer met with members of the School of Marketing and Tourism and worked with Associate Professor Gayle Jennings on a research project which is nearing completion.

As the QANTAS Professor of Travel and Tourism Economics, Professor Dwyer has the responsibility to "lead, encourage and contribute to the development of research on the economics of travel and tourism across all Australian universities in the CRC for Sustainable Tourism". Photo: Visiting professor Larry Dwyer with Associate Professor Gayle Jennings from the School of Marketing and Tourism.