Biography

Dan joined the University of Surrey in October 2012 as one of five scholarship students on the new Integrated PhD programme. Over the ensuing 3.5 years, he will build upon his Master’s thesis that explored the involvement of the concept of wellness with the holistic retreat in New Zealand by examining the extent to which engagement in social tourism activities can affect the mental health of those who are economically or otherwise disadvantaged in the United Kingdom.

Although now involved with the academic study of tourism, Dan’s professional working life has been predominantly within the Hospitality and Tourism industries both in the UK and overseas. This included four years in hotel and contract catering management in England, Australia and New Zealand; and, six years leading special interest adventure tours throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, China and Australasia for Explore Worldwide, Kumuka Expeditions and Silk Road Tours.  However, following the completion of a Post-Graduate Diploma and Master’s degree at the University of Otago, New Zealand, in 2008, Dan moved directly into teaching becoming a full-time Tourism and Research lecturer and, subsequently, Tourism Stream Leader at the Pacific International Hotel Management School, New Zealand.

Teaching

Undergraduate

University of Surrey, United Kingdom (2012)

• International Hospitality and Tourism Management: authored and led tutorials

Previous Teaching

Pacific International Hotel Management School, New Zealand - Undergraduate (2009 – 2012)

• Sustainable Tourism Management (module author and lead lecturer)
• Tourism Studies (module author and lead lecturer)
• Consumer Behaviour in Tourism (module author and lead lecturer)
• Research Methods (module author and lead lecturer)
• Research Skills (module author and lead lecturer)

Pacific International Hotel Management School, New Zealand - Postgraduate(2009-2012)

• Introduction to Research: module author and lead lecturer
• Supervision of Post-graduate Diploma dissertation students

University of Otago, New Zealand (2008)

• Global Tourism: led tutorials
• Guest Lecturer: Special Interest Tourism – Health and Wellness Tourism