Larry Dwyer, Qantas Professor of Travel and Tourism Economics from the University of New South Wales, has been recognised for his outstanding contributions to tourism.

Professor Dwyer has been granted membership into the prestigious International Academy for the Study of Tourism (IAST).

"I am very pleased and honoured to have received this membership," said Professor Dwyer. "It is a recognition of my research, and those of my colleagues, on the economic evaluation of tourism and its contribution to tourism study as a whole. It is a recognition of the Faculty of Business' research internationally."

The IAST membership is comprised of highly accomplished tourism researchers from throughout the world and is restricted to 75 members.

Qantas Chief Economist, Ivan Colhoun, said: "This honour recognises Professor Dwyer and his team's contribution to tourism research over a number of years. Qantas is pleased to be associated with Professor Dwyer, UNSW and the Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre's Centre of Tourism Economics and Policy Research through our sponsorship of the Chair in Travel and Tourism Economics."

Professor Dwyer publishes widely in the areas of tourism economics and tourism management with over 100 publications. He maintains strong links with the tourism industry at international, national, state and local levels.

Professor Dwyer worked with the World Tourism Organisation in tourism strategy development in India, and has undertaken consulting work for several government agencies. He also served as a contracted consultant to the Commonwealth Department of Tourism, advising on the economic impacts of government policies on the tourism industry.

Professor Dwyer was appointed Qantas Professor of Travel and Tourism Economics at the University of New South Wales in 2003.

Media contact: Marie Kelly, Communications Director, UNSW Faculty of Business, 9385 5895 or 0408 256 381.