There should be a much closer relationship between academics, policy makers and practitioners in the tourism industry, a University of Ulster academic has said.

Stephen Boyd, Professor of Tourism at the University, was speaking following a major tourism sector conference where he called for more collaboration in tourism and hospitality research between researchers in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

“We had a critical mass of people from all over the island of Ireland involved in different aspects of the tourism industry present at the conference,” Professor Boyd said. “There were contributions from people involved in tertiary education, policy makers, and other tourism practitioners. There is a tendency however for each of these groups to focus on their own area. We need to ensure that information is shared more effectively, which in turn will help deliver a competitive advantage to the tourism product in Northern Ireland.”

Professor Boyd also called for the establishment of an All Ireland Tourism and Hospitality Research Forum – and a commitment from all sectors of the industry to work much more closely together.

(MB)