International Tourism and Media conference, Prato Italy
La Trobe, in partnership with Monash University convened the fourth bi-annual ‘International Tourism and Media Conference’ (ITAM) in July. For the first time since its inception the conference was held outside Australia at Monash University’s Prato campus, Italy. The event was a great success for its organisers Dr Sue Beeton Associate Professor and Dr Warwick Frost of La Trobe’s School of Management and Dr Glen Croy of Monash’s Department of Management.
Dr Sue Beeton, Associate Professor in Tourism, La Trobe University
The aim of all ITAM conferences is to advance and inform the overall knowledge on tourism and media through innovative research presentations and discussion, leading to further research, collaborations and publications.
The first conference was held in 2004 at La Trobe’s Melbourne campus, with the two universities alternating the hosting role. Over the years, the conference has supported many early career researchers, and seen numerous successful PhD completions. It has encouraged collaborative work among those participating and resulted in three Special Editions of journals released (with a fourth due later this year).
Dr Warwick Frost, Lecturer, School of Management, La Trobe University
The event hosted participants from Italy, the US, England, Ireland, Spain, Sweden and Hungary as well as a strong Australian contingent. Topics discussed included:
- The convergence of media
- Media’s role in agricultural crises
- Travel journalism
- Media and the Italian dream
- TV Travel Guides and film tourism impacts
- Fans and tourists
- The nexus between cultural heritage, media and tourism
- Fantasy and film-based theme parks
- Film-induced tourism in Korea
- Cross cultural comparisons between the West and China,
- Sustainable film tours
- Film Noir
- The touristic potential of the Australian Centre for the Moving Image
As well as providing a collegial atmosphere in an historic setting, the conference group enjoyed discovering the regional specialties of Prato cuisine, including some excellent pappa col pomodoro, biscotti e vinsanto and gelato!
The number of returning participants at each ITAM conference is proof of its success in moving work forward. Ongoing involvement, engagement, collaboration and knowledge development positions the University at the forefront of this field. La Trobe plans to host the next conference at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Federation Square in late 2011.
