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This thesis gives an overview and seeks to establish a framework for creating the built environments that would support an ethical and environmentally aware global counterculture in travel and tourism. It seeks to advocate for the use of natural building techniques, responsive architecture, and sustainability in hospitality design and demonstrates the positive impact that these strategies might have on the visitor as well as the host community. Such reciprocal benefits are achieved by encouraging respectful, ecologically, and culturally sustainable design of global hospitality facilities, while the visitor is immersed in contextually-conscious spaces and environments. This approach is illustrated in several global terroir-driven vineyard case-studies. A new design and development methodology is outlined, stemming from Goethean science and its emphasis on the relationship between people and environment, a methodology that involves reciprocity, wonderment, and gratitude. The thesis maintains that if a hospitality environment is developed as holistically as possible, the spirit of the place visited will be amplified to the extent that visitors will feel that un-namable sense of energy that comes from a deeper, almost spiritual, connection. In its detailed approach, this thesis examines the environmental design theories of Christopher Day. Additionally, the architectural theories of Christopher Alexander in his work 'The Timeless Way of Building', as they appear and have been adapted in built projects, and in the promise they hold for future of hospitality design, are reviewed. Overall, this thesis investigates the potential of the built environments of an alternative tourism. Responding to the evolving definitions of personal luxury and motivations for travel, this thesis is inspired by the notion that people are affected physically, mentally, and spiritually by the built environment that surrounds them. In its conclusion, this thesis outlines potential guidelines for the future of hospitality design and the interpretation of place as fundamental to the integrity of a destination and infinitely rewarding for the visitors that go there.

This study is an investigation into women receptionists' experience in the provision of accommodation in the contemporary hospitality industry. It uses a phenomenological and interpretative inquiry to 'illumine' this experience and offer plausible insights. The guiding research questions are: What is the experience of hospitality reception practice like? What sense do receptionists make of their experience? What is the significance of the experience in the light of sociological discourses? What are the implications of their experience for practice and professional development? / The experience of hospitality reception practice is given through an 'expressive' based phenomenological approach that portrays the experience through narrative, poetry and metaphor. The portrayal composed of reflective accounts of ten episodes of practices that are typical of hospitality reception work. The personal episodes are situated within different social, cultural, personal and occupational settings. These accounts of the practice are then interpreted for meanings, juxtaposed to unravel themes and discussed for their significance and implications. The discussion of significance involves examining the themes through the discourses of culture, feminist theory, power and labour relations, consumerism and notions about the home environment. The themes are then considered in terms of implications for practice and professional development. / The study shows the conversional nature of hospitality reception work, which invites 'strangers' to become 'guests'. This means to carry out practices which invite these strangers to be compliant, disarmed, integrated, valued, pampered and enriched guests. There are also other conversional challenges, such as inviting prudent guests to be generous spenders, travellers to be vacationers, and visitors to be tourists. Receptionists and guests also often expect to form meaningful personal connections with each other which can enrich their experience further. / Receptionist is the human face of the company. As the go-between for management and guests there is an element of being the meat in the sandwich. Reception work has also been interpreted as jujitsu of control and power. The context of the work has been described as highly pressured, uncertain, chaotic, stressful and challenging in which the work is experienced in peaks and valleys. The requirement for receptionists to perform a fine balancing act, where they are expected to juggle, synthesise and accommodate many tasks is also illuminated. The seamless multiplex relations of receptionists and the effect of competing priorities are also highlighted. One of the important elements in the experience is the way in which the industry, by employing well-presented, young attractive women receptionists has implicitly sexualised the interaction, exposing receptionists to a risk of sexual harassment. Another significant element in the experience is management's lack of support for and appreciation of receptionists who are the 'flak catchers' of the organisation. / Thesis (PhD)--University of South Australia, 2007.

Thesis (PhD) -- University of South Australia, 1999

Thesis (MEd) -- University of South Australia, 1998

Thesis (M. Bus.)--Victoria University (Melbourne, Vic.), 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (MEd) -- Auckland University of Technology, 2005. / Also held in print (166 leaves, 30 cm.) in Wellesley Theses Collection (T 641.507 EMM)

Thesis (MIHM) -- Auckland University of Technology, 2004. / Supervisor: Dr Elizabeth Roberts. Also held in print (87 leaves, 30 cm.) in Wellesley Theses Collection. (T 647.95 SHA)

Thesis (M.A.)--International School of Theology, 1991. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 37-49).

Thesis (D. Ed.)--Victoria University (Melbourne, Vic.), 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.