Course Title: Doctor of Philosophy in Management

Thesis Title: The Role of the Internet and Online Maps in Distination Choice for Australian Cycle Tourists - Suring the net to discover cycling nirvana

Supervisors: Professor Keith Lyons, Director National Institute of Sports Studies, and Associate Professor Tracey Dickson, Toursim Discipline at U of C,  with Dr Brent Ritchie at University of Queensland as an advisor.

Abstract

As more Australians take up cycling as a sport or recreational activity, more of them are travelling with their bicycles and cycle tourism is emerging as an important element of tourism in Australia.

This research aims to explore the use of online technology in destination choice by cycle tourists across four major sectors of the cycle tourism market in Australia. These sectors are recreational cyclists, mountain bikers, road racers and BMX freestyle riders. Previous research in cycle tourism has concentrated largely on the recreational cycling sector and this research aims to explore in some detail the other three sectors identified as significant from their cycling participation levels. In the data collection phase of this research demographic data on research subjects will be collected which will also assist in identifying major characteristics of each of these sectors and link these characteristics to their use of online technology in their destination choice. These technologies include online maps and social networking tools as well as general internet use.

Dennis most recent employment has been in the Association management sector with extensive experience in event management and strategic management in the not for profit sector. His professional background is the spatial information industry with a Masters in Surveying and Mapping Science from University of Queensland – thus his particular interest of online maps in tourism.

Dennis is an active cyclist and a member of three cycling organisations. He has completed a number of the classic cycle challenge events around Australia including Around the Bay in a Day (Melbourne) , Brisbane to Gold Coast, Sea to the Vines (SA) and events linked to the Tour Down Under (SA).