Dr. Michelle Thompson
Dip Mgt, B TMgt/B HRMgt, B TMgt (Hons), PhDLecturer
Learning Design and Innovation Directorate
Centre for Regional Economies and Supply Chains
Level 3, CQUniversity Cairns Square Building - Room 3.21
cnr Abbott & Shields Streets, Cairns QLD 4870
Background
Dr Michelle Thompson is a Lecturer in the Learning Design and Innovation Directorate at CQUniversity's Cairns campus. She has a PhD from James Cook University, where her research modelled the drivers and barriers to tourism development in agricultural regions. Michelle’s research interests focus on regional tourism development, including agri-tourism, food and wine tourism, nature-based tourism, rural and remote areas and sustainability. She has worked on a diverse range of projects, including delivering specialist workshops on agri-tourism development, engaging in contract research for industry associations, Local Government Authorities, Regional Development Australia and Indigenous Land Corporation, and working on nationally funded research projects (MTSRF and NERP). Michelle’s research experience reflects her passion for regional areas and applied research that provides industry and community outcomes. As part of the MBA(L) academic team, Michelle also draws on her research experiences and incorporates these into CQU's MBA(Leadership) program.
Universities Studied At
James Cook University
Universities Worked At
Central Queensland University
James Cook University
Awards
2019 CQUniversity Student Voice Award for Educators of the Year (TOUR20021)
2019 School of Business and Law Platinum Certificate for Top Rated Unit in Term 2, 2019 (TOUR20021)
2012 CAUTHE PhD Student Bursary $1,500.00
2012 CAUTHE’s Bill Faulkner Memorial Award for Best PhD Paper
Media Citations
Butterworth, K. (2016, July 6). Central Queensland could be in for an agri-tourism boom. Queensland Country Life. Retrieved from https://www.queenslandcountrylife.com.au
Professional Memberships
Member of the Australian Regional Tourism Network (ARTN) 2017 - current
Member of the Council for Australasian Universities Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE) 2017 - current
Industry Reports
Prideaux, B., & Thompson, M. (September, 2019). Visitor views and concerns about the Great Barrier Reef: Preliminary results of a 2019 survey. Report prepared for the Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators Pty Ltd (AMPTO). Centre for Tourism and Regional Opportunities, CQUniversity: Cairns, QLD, Australia.
Prideaux, B., McGrath, J., & Thompson, M. (2018). Feasibility study into the viability of managing the Mon Repos Turtle Centre. Report prepared for Gidarjil and the Indigenous Land Council (ILC), Bundaberg. Centre for Tourism and Regional Opportunities, CQUniversity: Cairns, Queensland, Australia.
Prideaux, B., & Thompson, M. (September, 2017). A report on commission structures in the marine tourism industry in Cairns and the Whitsundays. Report prepared for the Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators Pty Ltd (AMPTO). CQUniversity: Cairns, QLD, Australia.
Prideaux, B., Pabel, A., & Thompson, M. (March, 2016). Whitsunday capacity study. Report prepared for the Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators Pty Ltd (AMPTO). CQUniversity & RRRC: Cairns, QLD, Australia.
Carmody, J., Prideaux, B., & Thompson, M. (2016). Regional Development Australia – Far North Queensland and Torres Strait: Regional roadmap - Regional overview 2016. Report prepared RDA Far North Queensland & Torres Strait (RDA FNQ&TS). CQUniversity, Cairns, Queensland, Australia.
Port Douglas and Daintree Visitor Survey (2022-2023)
Grant: Contract Research (Category 3: Industry and Other)
Funding Scheme: Contract Research - TPDD Visitor Survey (2022-2023)
Total Funding: $11,363.00
Cultural Sector in Cairns - 2022 Survey
Grant: Contract Research (Category 2: Other Public Sector)
Funding Scheme: Contract Research - Cairns Regional Council - Cairns Airport Visitor Study 2022
Total Funding: $5,000.00
Valuing Drive Tourism in Queensland from an Economic and Social Perspective
Grant: Competitive Grant (Category 3: Industry and Other)
Funding Scheme: University of Queensland
Total Funding: $50,000.00
Cairns Airport Visitor Survey 2020
Grant: Contract Research (Category 3: Industry and Other)
Funding Scheme: Contract Research - Tourism Tropical North Queensland - Cairns Airport Visitor Study - 2020
Total Funding: $5,499.18
Agritourism development in the Whitsundays region
Grant: Contract Research (Category 3: Industry and Other)
Funding Scheme: Greater Whitsunday Food Network Inc (GWFN)
Total Funding: $3,000.00
Port Douglas and Daintree Visitor Survey 2019-2020
Grant: Contract Research (Category 3: Industry and Other)
Funding Scheme: Tourism Port Douglas Daintree
Total Funding: $10,382.72
Student Voice Award - Educator of the Year 2019
Grant: Scholarly activity (Ineligible)
Funding Scheme: CQU internal Learning and Teaching Awards 2019
Total Funding: $0.00
Port Douglas and Daintree Visitor Survey (2018-2019)
Grant: Contract Research (Category 3: Industry and Other)
Funding Scheme: Tourism Port Douglas Daintree
Total Funding: $5,860.00
Feasibility study into the viability of managing the Mon Repos Turtle Centre
Grant: Competitive Grant (Category 2: Other Public Sector)
Funding Scheme: Indigenous Land Corporation for the benefit of Gidarjil Development Corporation
Total Funding: $49,900.00
Cultural Sector in Cairns - Airport Survey
Grant: Contract Research (Category 3)
Funding Scheme: Cairns Regional Council
Total Funding: $3,000.00
Port Douglas and Daintree Visitor Survey (2017-2018)
Grant: Contract Research (Category 3)
Funding Scheme: Tourism Port Douglas Daintree
Total Funding: $10,992.00
A study of commission structures in the marine tourism industry
Grant: Contract Research (Category 3)
Funding Scheme: Association of Marine Tourism Operators (AMPTO)
Total Funding: $37,000.00
Port Douglas and Daintree Visitor Survey
Grant: Competitive Grant (Category 3)
Funding Scheme: Tourism Port Douglas Daintree
Total Funding: $9,885.91
RDA Regional Road Map Review 2016
Grant: Contract Research (Category 3)
Funding Scheme: Regional Development Australia Far North Queensland and Torres Strait Inc
Total Funding: $10,000.00
Port Douglas and Daintree Visitor Survey
Grant: Contract Research (Category 3)
Funding Scheme: Tourism Port Douglas Daintree
Total Funding: $9,732.08
Research tourism surveys: Visitors' perceptions of crowding in Whitsundays tourism locations
Grant: Contract Research (Category 3)
Funding Scheme: Reef and Rainforest Research Centre
Total Funding: $45,415.53
Accreditation
I am currently accredited for supervision in the following:
- 3508 Tourism
Current Capacity
Current Supervision
Tourism - Impacts of Tourism
Tourism - Tourism Management
Tourism - Tourist Behaviour and Visitor Experience
