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About Ian

Prof. Ian Yeoman – Crystal Ball Gazer

Ian Yeoman is the world's only professional crystal ball gazer or futurologist specializing in travel and tourism. Ian learned his trade as the scenario planner for VisitScotland, where he established the process of futures thinking within the organisation using a variety of techniques including economic modeling, trends analysis and scenario construction. In May 2008, Ian was appointed an Assoc. Professor of Tourism Management at Victoria University, New Zealand.

Ian has published extensively within the field of tourism futures, with articles published in leading academic journals such as Tourism Management, Journal of Travel Research and Journal of Vacation Marketing on a variety of topics from climate change to the future of energy and consumer trends – all within the context of travel and tourism. He is a popular speaker at conferences and was described by the UK Sunday Times as the country's leading contemporary futurologist.

Ian has a PhD in Management Science from Napier University, Edinburgh and a BSc (Hons) in Catering Systems from Sheffield Hallam University. Previously, Ian was Senior Lecturer in Tourism and Hospitality Management at Napier University and University College, Birmingham. He has extensive experience within the hospitality industry, for which he was a hotel manager with Trusthouse Forte.

Ian has received a number of awards in recognition of his research including his appointment as a Honorary Professor of Tourism Management at Stirling University, Visiting Research Fellow at Sheffield Hallam University, Charles Forte Foundation Scholarship and the Mike Simpson Award from the Operational Research Society.

Ian is the founding editor of the Journal of Revenue and Pricing Management, and author/editor of numerous other books including, Yield Management, Sport & Leisure Operations Management, Festivals & Events Management, Revenue Management & Pricing. Ian is an active supporter of the INFORMS Revenue Management & Pricing section, for which he serves on their steering committee.

Ian is a member of the Travel and Tourism Research Association and the World Futures Society.

When not thinking about the future, Ian enjoys almost everything. He is a follower of Sunderland AFC, which Ian thinks is the greatest football team in the world. Sunderland's greatest moment was winning the FA Cup in 1973. As Ian is new to New Zealand, 2008/09 will be a time for exploration within the country and the Oceania region. He likes the outdoors, was a contestant in the BBC TV programme MasterChef and loves reading, especially non-fiction. Ian is single (i.e., available) and lives with his black and white cat, Rosie.

Contact details:

Email: ian.yeoman@vuw.ac.nz