News 2007
December 2007
Teachers of tourism studies and related subjects meet at Skólabær
A meeting of teachers in tourism studies and related subjects was held in Skólabær, Reykjavík, 6th December at 17.00. On the 7th December two sessions were on tourism studies, organised by the ITRC, at the annual social sciences conference hosted by the University of Iceland - Þjóðarspegill (titles and authors in Icelandic). The programme was: 17.00 Welcome and opening speech from the director of the ITRC. 17.15 Pétur Rafnsson, the chairman of the Icelandic Tourism Association gave a talk on his take on research in the field and view of the administrative bodies. After his talk he was open for questions.
18.15 A short presentation from each school teaching tourism studies
The University of Iceland
The University of Hólar
The University of Akureyri
Wine and nibbles
19.00 End of programme
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Attending:
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Anna Karlsdóttir |
The University of Iceland |
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Anna Dóra Sæþórsdóttir |
The University of Iceland |
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Edward H. Huijbens |
ITRC |
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Guðrún Helgadóttir |
The University of Hólar |
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Guðrún Gísladóttir |
The University of Iceland |
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Guðrún Þóra Gunnarsdóttir |
The University of Hólar |
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Gunnar Þór Jóhannesson |
The University of Iceland |
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Hlín C. Mainka Jóhannesdóttir |
The University of Hólar |
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Ingibjörg Sigurðardóttir |
The University of Hólar |
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Karl Benediktsson |
The University of Iceland |
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Magnfríður Júlíusdóttir |
The University of Iceland |
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Martin Gren |
The University of Hólar/ITRC |
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Rannveig Ólafsdóttir |
The University of Iceland/ITRC |
New researcher at the ITRC
The ITRC in collaboration with the department of rural tourism at the University of Hólar, has recruited dr. Martin Gren. Martin will hold the position of reader at the department at Hólar and teach there but collaborate on his research with the centre.
Martin finished a programme in planning (B.Sc.) at the University of Gothenburg in 1984 and then worked as a planner in health care. After having completed a Ph.D in human geography 1994 at the University of Gothenburg, he was appointed in 1995 as a lecturer in human geography at the Department of Geography and Tourism, University of Karlstad. In Karlstad he has been teaching especially in fields related to social and cultural theory and on courses in the teacher and tourism programmes. After more than ten years in Karlstad, that also included a four year position as a research fellow in human geography, he moved back to his hometown Gothenburg where he held a position as lecturer at the Department of Conservation and Cultural Heritage. He was appointed reader at the Hólar University College, the Department of Rural Tourism, and as researcher at the ITRC in November 2007.
Martin can be reached through telephone: +354 455-6336 or e-mail: martin@holar.is
November 2007
Special assignments of the ITRC
The ITRC has been commissioned through the engineering firm VGK Hönnun to asses the impact on tourism and recreation of two specific engineering projects.
The former commissioned work is being done for the National Power Company (Landsvirkjun), Icegrid (Landsnet) and Þeistareykir ltd and entails and evaluation of the impact on tourism and recreation in the Þeistareykir area. The plan there is to build a geothermal power station and build high voltage electric pylons to the nearby town of Húsavík for a planned aluminium smelter to be built there. The research is being done by ITRC's director Edward H. Huijbens, and is based on interviews with local stake-holders in tourism and recreation. The report will be submitted in January 2008.
The latter commissioned work is about assessing the impact on tourism and recreation of a planned hydro-electric power plant project for Hagavatn, to the south of Langjökull glacier. The research is undertaken by Kristín Rut Kristjánsdóttir, with the help of Rannveig Ólafsdóttir, ITRC's researcher. The report will be submitted in December 2007.
October 2007
Research grant awarded for tourism innovation research
Dr. John Hull has just been awarded a research grant through AUT University in New Zealand to conduct a comparative study examining the role of tourism innovation strategies between Iceland and New Zealand.
Traditionally, innovations have been a result of scientific and technological advances. Increasingly the concept incorporates advances in organising new ways of production, supply, and service through knowledge transfer, networking, and collaboration. The research will use a comparative case study approach with mixed method applications to examine two peripheral destinations in Northeast Iceland and on the South Island, New Zealand as part of a pilot programme to develop a larger research agenda linked to:
- Examining present destination development strategies in peripheral areas
- Identifying/documenting present innovations
- Evaluating how these innovations contribute to economic sustainability
- Understanding how destinations are adapting to environmental and socioeconomic impacts of increasing visitation
- Informing the strategic planning and management decisions of local stakeholder groups
August 2007
Guest professor at the ITRC
The ITRC in collaboration with the department of Business and Science at the University of Akureyri, has recruited dr. John S. Hull as a guest professor. John will co-operate in various projects the ITRC has going in addition to strengthening the bonds with the New Zealand Tourism Research Institute at AUT in New Zealand.
John completed a B.A. in American/Environmental Studies at Williams College in 1985. In 1992, he finished a dual Master’s degree in Urban Planning and Landscape Architecture from the University of Michigan where his thesis addressed tourism development for the Walpole Island First Nation, Ontario, Canada. In 1998, John completed his Ph D. at McGill University in Montreal. His Ph D research focused on sustainable tourism issues in the sub-Arctic. John is Co-founder of the consulting company Intervale Associates (www.intervale.ca) and is a Senior Lecturer at AUT University and Associate Director of the New Zealand Tourism Research Institute (nztri.aut.ac.nz). John has participated in several research projects in the sub-arctic region and is presently working on strategic tourism planning issues for the Þingeyjarsýsla Administrative District, Northeast Iceland.
Sustainable Hunting Tourism - Business opportunity in Northern Areas
The ITRC, in collaboration with the research and development centre of the University of Akureyri (RHA), the Environmental and Food Agency's wildlife management division and the Association of Reindeer Guides in Iceland, are partners in a joint Nordic research and development project on hunting tourism. The project aims to develop sustainable tourism around hunting in terms of economic, social and environmental sustainability. It is funded by the Northern Periphery Programme and the preliminary preparations are now complete. A report detailing the status of hunting tourism in Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Canada is now available.
The report can be downloaded here for free
June 2007
Tourism and the Environment on National Radio
The director of the ITRC, dr. Edward H. Huijbens was engaged, for five wednesdays in a row, in a short conversation on tourism and environmental issues on National Radio channel 1. Below these programmes can be listened to in Icelandic.
May 2007
Cultural tourism in Eyjafjörður, N. Iceland
The ITRC in co-operation Hólaskóli has published a report on cultural tourism in the Eyjafjörður region of North Iceland. The report is part of a 10 year plan for research on cultural tourism in the whole of Iceland, where issues such as authenticity, representations, image making and marketing of culture are highlighted and discussed. Research in cultural tourism is one of three research foundations of the ITRC. The other two are on tourism and environmental issues and on the economic impact of tourism.
The report can be viewed here in Icelandic
April 2007
Environmental management - a tool for sustainable development
The ITRC has received a grant from the Icelandic Student Innovation fund through its employee dr. Rannveig Ólafsdóttur. The amount is sufficient for the maintenance of two students for the summer thus initiating the research project on environmental management. It is our hope that the project will be further developed and will serve those wanting to build and maintain attractions around Iceland.
New employee of the ITRC at the University of Iceland
The ITRC in collaboration with the department of science at the University of Iceland, has recruited dr. Rannveig Ólafsdóttir. Rannveig will hold the position of reader at the department in Reykjavík and teach there but collaborate in her research with the centre.
Rannveig finished a B.Sc. in Geography at the University of Iceland in 1992 and a B.Sc. in Geology from the same school in 1994. Concomitantly she got her Iceland Guide certificate in 1990 and a B.Ed. from the University of Iceland 1994. Between 1996-2001 she studied physical geography at Lund University and completed a PhD there in January 2002. Between 2002-2006 Rannveig worked as the director of the Hornafjordur University Centre, focusing i.a. on issues around sustainable tourism. Between 2006-2007 Rannveig was a consultant for environmental management at Línuhönnun, an engineering consultancy. Between 2002-2007 Rannveig has also been a part time teacher of tourism studies at the University of Iceland.
March 2007
A report on management in the Icelandic tourist industry published
The ITRC has published a report based on a survey into management issues in the Icelandic tourist industry. The survey was web based and directed to all firms registered with the Icelandic Travel Industry Association. The survey was carried out by the Research Centre of the University of Akureyri and subsequently analysed by the authors and compared to two reports by them. One, a similar survey done in Icelandic companies in general, and another one which was about analysing the need for training and education within the sector.
Both the report's authors and the University of Akureyri research fund are herby cordially thanked for their input and hard work.
The report can be downloaded here in Icelandic
A new member of staff at the Akureyri office
The ITRC has recruited Þorsteinn Húnfjörð to direct the Svartárkot project, which was initiated by the Reykjavík Academy and local farmers at Svartárkot. Þorsteinn is recruited for half a year in order to complete the tasks set out under the terms of the project. He has been involved in several projects for the University of Akureyri since he graduated with a business degree from the Campbellsville University in the year 2002. His expertise are in the field of marketing and IT and the ITRC is glad to have him on board.
January 2007
Feast and science at the University of Akureyri
The ITRC took part in an open house set up to introduce the University of Akureyri on the 10th of February. A display booth was set up on the third floor displaying poster made about the operations and the research undertaken at the ITRC. Reports published by the centre were also on display. The director was one of four scholar to speak at the event presenting their research.
The director's talk here (23 MB)
Pictures from the event
A new member of staff at the Akureyri office
The ITRC has recruited Margrét Víkingsdóttir to direct the North Iceland Tourism cluster, which was formed as part of the Eyjafjörður growth agreement (http://www.klasar.is/). Margrét is recruited for one year in order to complete the tasks set out under the terms of the agreement. She was before the tourist and marketing representative of Dalvík community in North Iceland, but she had held that position since she graduated with a business degree from the University of Akureyri in the year 2003. Her expertise are in the field of marketing and promotion and the ITRC is glad to have her on board.
She replaces Bergþóra Aradóttir, who has now left us after years of fruitful co-operation.
Borgum v/Norðurslóð
600 Akureyri, Iceland