TREES: Tourism Research in Economic Environs and Society

Ka ga rona

2011 like 2010 will be remembered as a year that we had exceptional achievements. A year where staff performed way above what one could expect. We had several major achievements which I am only grateful for. Staff qualifications improved, more articles were published than before, more post docs were appointed, our first visiting professor was appointed, more international appearances and to top it off more recognition than ever before.  In sport and business terms – we have played the game – we competed aggressively and we came out as winners of which we were all part off. The success of any business lies in its staff and the latter include the assistants and external role players, sponsors and students.

However it all started 20 years ago with a gradual build up to 2006 when we became an NRF research niche, the only tourism entity in the country. After another extensive evaluation process in 2007 we were also awarded NICHE status by the North-West University. The Niche was called Socio-Economic Impact of Tourism or SEIT as it was generally known. The purpose of SEIT was to increase national and international research output and to develop young researchers in this particular field. In 2011 we were once again evaluated and were then awarded the status of a focus area. This implied that we had to change our name and after a long process we decided it will be called TREES (Tourism Research in Economic Environs and Society).With good planning and effective and efficient use of our resources, we are getting closer to the ultimate goal which is to become a centre of excellence.