tourism grad student network

I came across this recent editorial regarding the health inspection performance of restaurants in Central Florida.

In states where this information is readily available, an interesting paper would look at the inspection rating as a function of the type of restaurant (independent v. chain, cuisine, etc.), location, and perhaps other property characteristics and see if there are systematic relationships between how a restaurant performs on health inspections and the characteristics of that restaurant.

The Orlando Sentinel, Fla.McClatchy-Tribune Regional News

Sep. 19--The details in a Sentinel report on state inspections of Central Florida restaurants are hard to stomach.

Almost one in three eateries in the past 14 months got cited for rodent- or roach-related violations.

Two in five employed poor hygienic practices, including workers not washing their hands.

And three of five restaurants scored at least 10 "critical violations" that can lead to a variety of foodborne illnesses. http://www.hotel-online.com/News/2007_Sep_19/k.OSA.1190224655.html

Spanish company announces first phase (valued at US$650 M) of scond home development project in the Americas.

http://www.globest.com/news/991_991/miami/163967-1.html

The Internet makes access to information easier. From the supplier's point of view this has both pros and cons. One of the cons is the issue of control--what information is available? Search engine results and comments about companies on social networking sites are but two examples of information that isn't under the control of the supplier. Recently two different takes on this issue have appeared in the press:

http://redtape.msnbc.com/2007/09/most-savvy-cons.html

http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/154000320/4032903.html

A number of research opportunities are suggested by these issues.

"At the start of the Year, The International Society of Hospitality Consultants determined what would be the top 10 issues for the industry in 2007. They were, in order: labor and skills shortages; construction costs; technology; changing demographics and their impact on travel trends; future of hotel profits; branding; distribution revolution; travel restrictions; global emerging markets; and capital availability. Now that the year is halfway complete, let’s see how their predictions panned out. "

from http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PR2007_3rd/Sept07_HotelIssues.html

Welcome to the fall semester at Temple University. I've recently invited a number of people to join this blog. This post is directed to both new users and to continuing students.

How can we use this blog to improve the grad school experience? How can we use it to facilitate collaboration? It has mostly been a monologue rather than a conversation. How can we change that? How can we use this tool to encourage collaboration among all the actors in the program--faculty and students?

Please browse the old posts and ask yourself how this venue can be used to add value to your Temple experience. Don't be shy about sharing your thoughts on the blog.

I hope you have a successful semester.