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Research in hospitality, tourism and events

Our research informs the global academic community, but it is also focused on developing practical research outcomes: it aims to improve the hospitality and tourism industry.

In this section:

New Zealand Tourism Research Institute

A global leader in tourism research, the New Zealand Tourism Research Institute delivers innovative solutions for the tourism industry.

NZ Tourism Research Institute website

Research degrees

Explore our research expertise

AUT's academic supervisors are recognised world-class researchers who have the expert knowledge in their fields to guide you throughout your studies.

If you’re interested in applying to a doctoral degree or a Master of Philosophy, email doctoral.and.mphil.admissions@aut.ac.nz first to assess your eligibility for the programme.

Browse research expertise

Our academics Simon Milne Professor of Tourism In addition to being a professor at AUT, Professor Simon Milne has been a director of the renowned New Zealand Tourism Research Institute since its inception in 1999. Tourism is important to the New Zealand economy and the people of the South Pacific Islands, but so is a sustainable way of life. Professor Simon Milne has been conducting research in this part of the world since 1985, and has a special interest in the links between tourism and sustainable community development. In addition to being a professor at AUT, he has been a director of the renowned New Zealand Tourism Research Institute since its inception in 1999.

Our academics Michael Lück Professor of Tourism Professor Michael Lück had an early interest in environmental sustainability, which led him to specialise in coastal and marine tourism. Tourism Professor Michael Lück examines how this state of affairs has come to be and looks at ways in which we might improve the situation in his work specialising in coastal and marine tourism. Research on the makeup and interests of the tourist groups can help operators provide more meaningful and educational information to customers. Professor Lück says recent and ongoing research has revealed that tourists want to be educated and often wonder how they can help combat environmental issues such as climate change.

Our academics Alison McIntosh Professor of Tourism Professor Alison McIntosh explores the social, cultural and economic impact of tourism, focusing on what tourism means to people and how they experience it. Professor Alison McIntosh explores the social, cultural and economic impact of tourism, focusing on what tourism means to people and how they experience it. This can be from the perspective of tourists themselves, the communities they visit and workers in the industry. Alison’s work has led her into areas like social justice and making tourism available for everyone. She believes accessible tourism – how to make tourism viable for people with special access needs – is a huge opportunity that New Zealand is missing out on.

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News

AUT lecturer and Cook Islander Lisa Sadaraka

New Professors and Associate Professors

30 Nov, 2020

Nine academics have been appointed to the position of Professor, effective from 1 January 2021. 19 academics have been appointed as Associate Professors.

62% increase in AUT researchers

30 Apr, 2019

Growing expertise to help New Zealand and the world

Five questions: Professor Michael Lück

25 Mar, 2019

We asked Professor Michael Lück five questions about his research ahead of his Inaugural Professorial Address.

Harassment in Cook Islands hospitality

10 Apr, 2018

Sexual harassment by customers in the Cook Islands hospitality industry is a problem, according to AUT lecturer and Cook Islander Lisa Sadaraka.

Research kicks off on modern Kiwi identi...

23 Mar, 2018

Auckland University of Technology researcher Lindsay Neill is launching an investigation into what New Zealanders, aged 20 to 40, believe identifies them as Kiw...

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Great graduatesChantal Denise PagelConservation Biologist/Founder, marine-wildlife.orgDoctor of PhilosophyStudying at AUT gave her the chance to learn from the best in her field, says Dr Chantal Denise Pagel who came to AUT as an international student from Germany.Studying at AUT gave her the chance to learn from the best in her field, says Dr Chantal Denise Pagel who came to AUT as an international student from Germany to complete a PhD in marine tourism. For her doctoral research, Chantal explored risk, safety and comfort associated with close interactions with marine life in the South Pacific, and the interrelationship with social media.

Great graduatesQingyi ZhangDoctor of Philosophy
Master of International Hospitality ManagementShe is fascinated by the history of hospitality, says Qingyi Zhang who came to AUT as an international student from China and is currently completing her PhD.She is fascinated by the history of hospitality, says Qingyi Zhang who came to AUT as an international student from China and is currently completing her PhD. Her doctoral research focuses on hospitality in China during the Tang dynasty, between the years 618 and 902. She would highly recommend AUT’s hospitality programmes to others, Qingyi says.

Great graduatesSarath MunasingheSenior Lecturer, Department of Tourism Management, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri LankaDoctor of PhilosophyDeciding to study at AUT was easy, says Dr Sarath Munasinghe who came to AUT as an international student from Sri Lanka to complete a PhD in hospitality.Deciding to study at AUT was easy, says Dr Sarath Munasinghe who came to AUT as an international student from Sri Lanka to complete a PhD in hospitality. For his doctoral research, Sarath studied the tourists’ experience of hospitality in relation to Sri Lankan travel experience.

Great graduatesPattamol KanjanakanDoctor of PhilosophyHer research is about employee empowerment, says Pattamol Kanjanakan who came to AUT as an international student from Thailand to study a PhD in hospitality.Her PhD research is about employee empowerment, says Pattamol Kanjanakan who came to AUT as an international student from Thailand to study a Doctor of Philosophy in hospitality management. She has long had a passion for hospitality, says Pattamol who plans to return to her role as a lecturer at Khon Kaen University – International College in Thailand once she completed her PhD.

Great graduatesVan-Tin DoanDoctor of PhilosophyFor his PhD in hospitality, AUT doctoral student Van-Tin Doan is investigating the job performance of employees with disabilities in the food service industry.For his PhD in hospitality, AUT doctoral student Van-Tin Doan is investigating the job performance of employees with disabilities in the food service industry.

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