The tourism research area was recognised by the University of Canberra as an Area of Research Strength (ARS) in 2002, but has a history that dates back to the early 1990s. Since then the tourism research area has grown with respect to the number of research projects undertaken, the number of research students, associates and partners. The research that has been carried out by the Tourism ARS often has a practical use for government and industry and we pride ourselves in having excellent links with the tourism industry.

The Tourism ARS carries out research in two main ways:

1. Through the University of Canberra's membership of the Sustainable Tourism CRC (STCRC) . This research occurs in two forms:
   1. Involves undertaking large national projects in collaboration with researchers at other universities.
   2. Involves Tourism ARS staff undertaking local network Sustainable Tourism CRC projects.
2. Through the Centre for Tourism Research (CTR). This research occurs in two main forms
   1. Research is commissioned by funding agencies, frequently in a competitive tender process which results in research consultancies.
   2. Through individual researchers and research students , conducting their own research within the CTR (most of which is towards the acquisition of higher degrees). This research may be pure or applied research.

Our vision statement:

The Tourism ARS is a centre of excellence for research and education related to sustainable tourism in Australia.   It has strong linkages internally (within the university) and externally (with government agencies and industry). It facilitates tourism related research that is of practical use to the local, regional, national and international tourism industry as well as blue skies research. The Tourism ARS provides a collegial, supportive and well resourced research environment for staff, students and associates.

Our Mission and Purpose:

• Our overall mission is to carry out high quality, original tourism related research of benefit to the local, regional, national and international tourism industry funded through research grants, consultancies and postgraduate student or staff research projects.
• Our purpose is to contribute to an innovative tourism industry through the development of a capacity for research and extension related to sustainable tourism, primarily through our involvement in the Sustainable Tourism CRC (STCRC).
• Our purpose is to contribute specifically towards knowledge in four main thematic areas which fit government national research priorities, key issue areas from the tourism white paper and STCRC priorities (noted under our strengths, see below).

Strengths

The Tourism ARS has many strengths and capabilities which are detailed under the two sections (CTR and STCRC). However, the majority of our research projects and interests fit into four main thematic areas:

• Urban and national capital tourism (research related to attraction visitors; economic impact and value of national institutions; understanding urban visitors; marketing, planning and development issues in national capital cities).
• Tourist safety, risk and crisis (risk management in tourism; crisis and disaster planning/management in tourism; tourism recovery from natural disasters and crises; international and domestic visitor safety and accident/injury prevention).
• Understanding niche tourism markets (including activity tourism such as cycle tourism, ecotourism, sport and events, alpine tourism, educational tourism).

The following web pages outline the respective strengths and capability of the Tourism ARS under the two specific areas: the CTR and the STCRC.

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