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

Simon Milne
Nigel Hemmington
Alison McIntosh
Simon Milne
Our professors 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.
Nigel Hemmington
Our professors Nigel Hemmington Professor of Tourism Undoubtedly one of the world’s leading authorities in hospitality, Professor Nigel Hemmington knows good service and speaks internationally about his research. Undoubtedly one of the world’s leading authorities in hospitality, Professor Nigel Hemmington knows good service. Having completed extensive research into the consumer experience of hospitality, he is now lauded across the world and speaks internationally on a regular basis about his research. Professor Hemmington’s research has also led to consultancy with organisations like Air Rarotonga and the Caribbean Tourism Organisation.
Alison McIntosh
Our professors 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
THE Rankings Sep 2019
62% increase in AUT researchers
Professor Michael Luck
AUT's new Professors
THE world university rankings for AUT 2019
THE Rankings Sep 2019
AUT moves up 50 places in world rankings
12 Sep, 2019
AUT is now in the top 1% of world universities and in the top 50 for research citations.
62% increase in AUT researchers
62% increase in AUT researchers
30 Apr, 2019
Growing expertise to help New Zealand and the world
Professor Michael Luck
Five questions: Professor Michael Lück
25 Mar, 2019
We asked Professor Michael Lück five questions about his research ahead of his Inaugural Professorial Address.
AUT's new Professors
New Professors and Associate Professors
01 Nov, 2018
AUT has announced the promotion to Professor of seven senior academics. A further 16 academics have been appointed as Associate Professors.
THE world university rankings for AUT 2019
THE rankings place AUT in NZ top three
27 Sep, 2018
AUT has significantly improved in global university rankings published today by the Times Higher Education.
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Sarath Munasinghe
Qingyi Zhang
Dinesha Senarathna
Sarath Munasinghe
Great graduatesSarath MunasingheDoctor of PhilosophyDeciding to study at AUT was easy, says 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 Sarath Munasinghe who came to AUT as an international student from Sri Lanka to complete a PhD in hospitality. For his doctoral research, Sarath is focusing on the touristic experience of hospitality. Expecting to finish his PhD at the end of 2018, Sarath has already had a number of opportunities to present his work.
Qingyi Zhang
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.
Dinesha Senarathna
Great graduatesDinesha SenarathnaDoctor of PhilosophyThere’s a lack of understanding of the local community experience of tourism development and its impact on national parks, says PhD student Dinesha Senarathna.There’s a lack of understanding of the local community experience of tourism development and its impact on national parks, says PhD student Dinesha Senarathna who came to AUT as an international student from Sri Lanka. She aims to specialise in tourism geography, says Dinesha who is a geography lecturer at the University of Kelaniya in her native Sri Lanka.
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