A CONCEPT NOTE for the collaboration between the Department of Tourism Management, University of Southern Mississippi, and the

Hattiesburg Tourism Industry The salient features of the proposed scheme are summarized below:

1. Formation of a Discussion Group in which the various stakeholders of the Hattiesburg

tourism industry; academicians from the Department of Tourism Studies and the other related departments of USM; students of USM who take up tourism as a course of study; will be the members. The discussion group will meet a specified day of every month and will deliberate upon issues of interest to the group. In addition, there will be an e-platform for online discussions. The discussions being taken place from time to time may be compiled and circulated in the form of a newsletter. Owners and managers of the Hattiesburg tourism enterprises can throw open to the discussion forum issues that are important to them and get consultations from the collective wisdom of the group. Governmental/Civic authority representatives can seek inputs for tourism planning and directions for the tourism policy. Non-governmental organizations working in areas related to tourism can share their pro/anti-tourism views to the industry and the other relevant stakeholder-groups. Any issue that may require further investigation may be assigned to the students majoring tourism/faculty in the form of projects.

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3. 4. 5. 6.

Benefits

1. The local tourism enterprises will get free or highly subsidized consultancy and research
inputs in addition to rejoinder for their plans and strategies from the other stakeholders of tourism. 2. The DoT, CoB, USM, should view this process as part of its ethical commitment to the development of tourism in the region. The collective process that takes place with the discussion group will help every stakeholder to understand and appreciate the concerns of the other stakeholders. This will result in more responsible and sustainable development of tourism in the region. 3. Academicians from USM will get opportunities not only for theory development and resultant publications but also for seeing for themselves how their solutions bear fruits in the world of practice. 4. Students may get internship and placement opportunities with the local industry. Funds Initially, DoT, CoB, USM, should spend the nominal expenses towards the commencement of the discussion groups. Voluntary assistance of students and graduate assistants may be sought in the operational matters. One faculty member may coordinate the efforts. Voluntary contributions from the industry and other sources may be sought in course of time. Whenever a research project is assigned by an enterprise to the group, that enterprise may be asked to contribute to the funds of the discussion group. Over a period of time, a membership fee may be imposed, too. Concept Note Prepared By: Babu P. George, PhD, Visiting Assistant Professor (Touism), USM.