David Beirman

David Beirman is a Senior Lecturer in the Management Discipline Group at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), specializing in Tourism Risk, Crisis and Recovery Management, and Destination Marketing. With a Ph.D. and postgraduate degrees in Sociology from the University of NSW, his academic journey is complemented by a 30-year career in the Australian travel industry (1981-2009), including roles in retail travel, wholesale operations, destination marketing, and human resources.

• Education:
  • Ph.D., Sociology, University of NSW (1990)
  • MA (Hons), University of NSW (1983)
  • BA (Hons), University of NSW (1971-1976)
  • Dip.Ed., University of NSW (1975-1976)

His research focuses on Tourism Risk Management, Destination Recovery, and Sustainable Tourism Practices. Recent publications include the 2024 edited handbook Handbook on Crisis and Disaster Management in Tourism, a 2024 chapter on pandemic governance, and 2023 analyses of post-COVID travel bubbles and media expectations. He developed a six-phase image repair framework for pandemic recovery campaigns, building on his 2015 work with the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) on crisis management manuals used in 66 countries.

Key industry roles include:

• Co-chair, CAUTHE Tourism Risk, Crisis and Recovery Special Interest Group (2012–present)
• Founder and National Secretary, Eastern Mediterranean Tourism Association (2000–2012)
• Member, DFAT Consular Consultative Group (2003–present)
• Board Member, Australian Travel Careers Council (2018)

He teaches Tourism Risk Management and Managing Risk and Opportunity at UTS, and has advised governments in Australia, Asia, Africa, and North America. His 2015 Nepal recovery strategy work included a tourism workshop for local leaders, while 2016 projects involved crisis manuals for Council of Australian Tour Operators and Randwick Council.

Notable achievements:

• Editorial roles in Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management (2016) and International Journal of Event Management Research (2014)
• Keynote speaker at APEC Counter-Terrorism Workshop (2017), Thai National Tourism Forum (2017), and Pacific Insights Tourism Conference (2017)
• Consultant for DFAT on travel advisories since 2003, shaping global models adopted by UK, Canada, and New Zealand