BEST Education Network
Encyclopedia
BEST Education Network headquartered at University of Southern Denmark
, Denmark
is an international consortium of educators committed to furthering the development and dissemination of knowledge in the field of Sustainable tourism
. The organisation is dedicated to developing innovative sustainable travel and tourism practices that enhance and develop current industry, academic and traveller practices.
s at various universities around the world, during which research
is presented, sustainable tourism topics are discussed, and curriculum
modules for undergraduates are developed. Research and module development sessions enable delegates to discuss the theme for each Think Tank in relation to learning objectives and a research agenda. The BEST Think Tanks draw together educators, researchers, consultants and practitioners from the tourism industry. Their knowledge and experience are incorporated into the design of various topic curriculum modules on sustainable tourism for use in university curricula worldwide so that future managers will have the skill and knowledge needed to manage tourism in a sustainable manner.
The Think Tanks are typically held at a university where sustainable tourism is taught and researched. They consist of research presentations, keynote speakers, a research agenda, and curriculum development sessions. Each year the Think Tank has a particular theme and seeks to provide vision and cutting-edge insight to the topic at hand. Past themes have included:
Each Think Tank provides an opportunity for researchers to present their work. A Call for Papers goes out at the end of the previous year and papers are invited and then blind reviewed by an academic review committee. Key experts in the field are also invited as keynote speakers to share their knowledge on topics related to the overall theme of the Think Tank. The Think Tanks are open to academics, educators, researchers, government officials, industry experts, sustainability experts, environmental, economic, community and cultural experts in the tourism field.
Each Think Tank provides an opportunity for participants to highlight and explore topics that will be the focus of tourism research in the coming years. Interested researchers are invited to participate in workshops to identify 'hot topics' in sustainable tourism. These research workshops will run in parallel with the curriculum development workshops. For selected hot topic areas, participants will develop a research agenda. This agenda will include identification of the specific problems that require research to be undertaken, exploring the types of approaches that can be taken to develop 'cutting edge' research in these areas, discussion of the likely outcomes of the research, its implications for stakeholder decision making and its policy significance.
In 2007, BEST EN launched the Tourism Education Futures Initiative (TEFI), which seeks to provide vision, knowledge and a framework for tourism education programs to promote global citizenship and optimism for a better world. An important outcome of the TEFI process is a set of five values-based principles that tourism students should embody upon graduation to become responsible leaders and stewards for the destinations where they work or live. The five value sets are: 1. Ethics, 2. Stewardship, 3. Knowledge, 4. Professionalism and 5. Mutuality, and are portrayed as interlocking Value Principles because of their interconnectedness and their permeability.
BEST EN has also been involved in the development of the INNOTOUR platform. INNOTOUR is a WEB 2.0 platform for education, research and business development in tourism and is an experimental meeting place for academics, students and enterprises. Launched in 2009, INNOTOUR is based on content created by the users. The platform is designed to facilitate international interaction and knowledge dissemination between students. New educational and scientific collaborative practices are developed to build interdisciplinary bridges between international campuses.
University of Southern Denmark
The University of Southern Denmark, with campuses located in the southwestern part of Denmark - i.e. Funen, Southern Jutland and Sealand - is a research and educational institution with deep regional roots and an international outlook. Reaching even further south, the university offers a number of...
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
is an international consortium of educators committed to furthering the development and dissemination of knowledge in the field of Sustainable tourism
Sustainable tourism
Sustainable tourism is tourism attempting to make a low impact on the environment and local culture, while helping to generate future employment for local people. The aim of sustainable tourism is to ensure that development brings a positive experience for local people, tourism companies and the...
. The organisation is dedicated to developing innovative sustainable travel and tourism practices that enhance and develop current industry, academic and traveller practices.
History
The BEST Education Network emerged from a broader initiative known as Business Enterprises for Sustainable Travel, which was founded in 1998. The primary objective of BEST was to develop and disseminate knowledge in the field of sustainable tourism. In 2003 BEST went through organisational changes and the group overseeing the educational and curriculum aspects of the organisation became independent and renamed itself the BEST Education Network. A key success factor of the BEST Education Network Think Tanks is their ability to provide excellent opportunities for people to network and to get to know each other and workshops that enable both academics and practitioners to interact in a stimulating and thought-provoking environment.Structure
The BEST Education Network is coordinated by an international Executive Committee of academics with expertise in sustainable tourism. The committee is currently chaired by Dr. Janne Liburd. The executive committee is supported by an International Advisory Committee of senior tourism academics.Think Tanks
BEST-EN holds annual Think TankThink tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
s at various universities around the world, during which research
Research
Research can be defined as the scientific search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories, usually using a scientific method...
is presented, sustainable tourism topics are discussed, and curriculum
Curriculum
See also Syllabus.In formal education, a curriculum is the set of courses, and their content, offered at a school or university. As an idea, curriculum stems from the Latin word for race course, referring to the course of deeds and experiences through which children grow to become mature adults...
modules for undergraduates are developed. Research and module development sessions enable delegates to discuss the theme for each Think Tank in relation to learning objectives and a research agenda. The BEST Think Tanks draw together educators, researchers, consultants and practitioners from the tourism industry. Their knowledge and experience are incorporated into the design of various topic curriculum modules on sustainable tourism for use in university curricula worldwide so that future managers will have the skill and knowledge needed to manage tourism in a sustainable manner.
The Think Tanks are typically held at a university where sustainable tourism is taught and researched. They consist of research presentations, keynote speakers, a research agenda, and curriculum development sessions. Each year the Think Tank has a particular theme and seeks to provide vision and cutting-edge insight to the topic at hand. Past themes have included:
- Think Tank X: Networking for Sustainable Tourism, MODUL University ViennaMODUL University Vienna-MODUL University Vienna:MODUL University Vienna is a private university established in 2007 in Vienna, Austria, focusing on Social and Economic Development, particularly in the areas of tourism, information technology and public governance....
, Austria, June 27-30, 2010 - Think Tank IX: The Importance of Values in Sustainable Tourism, James Cook UniversityJames Cook UniversityJames Cook University is a public university based in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. The university has two Australian campuses, located in Townsville and Cairns respectively, and an international campus in Singapore. JCU is the second oldest university in Queensland—proclaimed in 1970—and the...
, Singapore, June 15–18, 2009 - Think Tank VIII: Sustaining Quality of Life through Tourism, Izmir University of EconomicsIzmir University of Economics- General information :İzmir University of Economics is a higher education institution that aims to nurture individuals who are creative, dedicated and wholly committed to Atatürk’s principles and reforms...
, Turkey, June 24–27, 2008 - Think Tank VII: Innovations for Sustainable Tourism, The Northern Arizona UniversityNorthern Arizona UniversityNorthern Arizona University is a public university located in Flagstaff, Arizona, United States. It is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and has 39 satellite campuses in the state of Arizona. The university offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees.As of...
, USA, June 21–24, 2007 - Think Tank VI: Corporate Social Responsibility for Sustainable Tourism, The University of GironaUniversity of GironaThe University of Girona is located in the city of Girona, Catalonia, Spain.It was founded in 1991, and as of 2010 consists of several campus and buildings across Girona: Barri Vell, Emili Grahit, Campus de Montilivi, Parc Científic i Tecnològic and Campus del Mercadal. A sixth one, Campus de...
, Spain, June 13–16, 2006 - Think Tank V: Managing Risk and Crisis for Sustainable Tourism: Research and Innovation, The University of West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica, June 16–19, 2005
- Think Tank IV: Sustainability and Mass Destinations: Challenges and Possibilities, The University of Southern DenmarkUniversity of Southern DenmarkThe University of Southern Denmark, with campuses located in the southwestern part of Denmark - i.e. Funen, Southern Jutland and Sealand - is a research and educational institution with deep regional roots and an international outlook. Reaching even further south, the university offers a number of...
, Esbjerg, Denmark, June 30 - July 4, 2004 - Think Tank III: Strategic Management and Events & Meeting Management, Alajuela, Costa Rica, July 8- July 11, 2003
- Think Tank II: Tourism Transportation and Tourism Operations, University of HawaiiUniversity of HawaiiThe University of Hawaii System, formally the University of Hawaii and popularly known as UH, is a public, co-educational college and university system that confers associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees through three university campuses, seven community college campuses, an employment...
, School of Travel Industry Management, April 9–12, 2002 - Think Tank I: Tourism Marketing, Tourism Planning, and Development and Human Resources Management, Bongani Lodge South Africa, February 24 - March 2, 2001
Each Think Tank provides an opportunity for researchers to present their work. A Call for Papers goes out at the end of the previous year and papers are invited and then blind reviewed by an academic review committee. Key experts in the field are also invited as keynote speakers to share their knowledge on topics related to the overall theme of the Think Tank. The Think Tanks are open to academics, educators, researchers, government officials, industry experts, sustainability experts, environmental, economic, community and cultural experts in the tourism field.
Each Think Tank provides an opportunity for participants to highlight and explore topics that will be the focus of tourism research in the coming years. Interested researchers are invited to participate in workshops to identify 'hot topics' in sustainable tourism. These research workshops will run in parallel with the curriculum development workshops. For selected hot topic areas, participants will develop a research agenda. This agenda will include identification of the specific problems that require research to be undertaken, exploring the types of approaches that can be taken to develop 'cutting edge' research in these areas, discussion of the likely outcomes of the research, its implications for stakeholder decision making and its policy significance.
Education
BEST EN has focused on the development of teaching modules that would fit into existing undergraduate hospitality and tourism management courses. These modules are developed at BEST EN Think Tanks and are usually preceded by framing papers presented by invited speakers to provide background information and stimulate the audience's thinking. Participants then form breakout groups around key topics and develop key learning objectives outlines of content. Detailed modules are usually written by a smaller group of academic volunteers after the think tank and these are made available to educators through the organisation's website. Many of the modules from past Think Tanks have been included in an academic reference book titled 'Understanding the Sustainable Development of Tourism'In 2007, BEST EN launched the Tourism Education Futures Initiative (TEFI), which seeks to provide vision, knowledge and a framework for tourism education programs to promote global citizenship and optimism for a better world. An important outcome of the TEFI process is a set of five values-based principles that tourism students should embody upon graduation to become responsible leaders and stewards for the destinations where they work or live. The five value sets are: 1. Ethics, 2. Stewardship, 3. Knowledge, 4. Professionalism and 5. Mutuality, and are portrayed as interlocking Value Principles because of their interconnectedness and their permeability.
BEST EN has also been involved in the development of the INNOTOUR platform. INNOTOUR is a WEB 2.0 platform for education, research and business development in tourism and is an experimental meeting place for academics, students and enterprises. Launched in 2009, INNOTOUR is based on content created by the users. The platform is designed to facilitate international interaction and knowledge dissemination between students. New educational and scientific collaborative practices are developed to build interdisciplinary bridges between international campuses.