Celebrating the Past, Leading the Future
School of Travel Industry Management marks 40 years
The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s School of Travel Industry Management is planning a series of special events to commemorate its 40th anniversary. Topping the list is the school’s annual gala—TIM Night Presents: Celebrate a Legacy in Tourism, Oct. 23 at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center.
Students began organizing and planning the event in January. It’s not only a fundraiser for the school, it’s a major hands-on opportunity for TIM students to work with professionals as they tackle event planning, sales and marketing, entertainment, food and beverage and a silent auction.
"Students utilize what they have learned in their studies and gain valuable practical experience in coordinating an event of such magnitude," says professional event planner Lee-Ann Choy, who teaches the events management course and is also a TIM alumna.
The focus this year will be on TIM’s four decades of success and an exciting future.
Elaine Leong, Mayumi Tsuchiya, Alex Teng and Spencer Tiet were among students paired with industry mentors at the 2005 Netlinks event
Founded in 1966, the school was a pioneer in integrating all aspects of the travel industry under a single discipline—built on a foundation of management science with a focus on the special challenges of Hawaiʻi and the Asia-Pacific region.
Under the leadership of Deans Edward Barnet, Chuck Gee, Pauline Sheldon and Walter Jamieson, TIM grew into an internationally respected program in hospitality, tourism and transportation management, designated one of the "World’s Leading Tourism Programs" by the World Tourism Organization in 2005.
Alumni have forged professional careers in Hawaiʻi and throughout the U.S. and Asia-Pacific region (see list). Many remain involved through the alumni association, corporation membership, satellite chapter meetings and networking events.
Industry provides members for the school’s advisory bodies, hosts student clubs on tours and supports internship opportunities (students must serve at least two).
In turn, TIM’s Professional Development and Research Consultancy group conducts research for academic, government and industry use and provides continuing education programs to help industry and government personnel deal with tourism challenges and opportunities. The school often takes a leadership role, as with its focus on sustainable tourism and the Eō Hawaiʻi community outreach program, which helps educate private and public sector groups about host culture issues.
For more information, visit www.tim.hawaii.edu or inquire about TIM publications at 808-956-8946.
Quick Facts
Enrollment: 439 in the BS program, 23 in the MS program
Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration; World Tourism Organization tedQual (Tourism Education Quality) designation
International agreements: 18 with institutions in Asia, Europe and Australia
Alumni group: TIM International, Inc.
Historical Highlights
1967 First TIM Night held
1978 Sunset Reference Center funded by the magazine’s publisher, William "Bill" Lane
1979 Executive Development Institute for Tourism launched
1986 Hawaiʻi International Hotel Institute established
1989 Center for Tourism Policy Studies opened
1991 Designated a WTO International Tourism Education and Training Center
1999 Lane Lectureship in Sustainable Tourism and the Environment instituted
2001 e-TIM distance education program offered
2004 UH System Hospitality and Tourism Consortium founded
2005 Certificate program in sustainable tourism established
Selected Alumni
Huang Cheng-Eng, executive vice president, Singapore Airlines
Richard Ong, general manager, Swissôtel the Stamford
Clyde Min, vice president, Host Hotels and Resorts
Anthony Wong, owner, Creative Eateries
Les Enderton, executive director, Oʻahu Visitors Bureau
Alex Kong, CEO, Asia Travel Mart, etourism business
Dave Erdman, president and CEO, Pac Rim Marketing Group
Kathy Inkinen, Inkinen and Associates international executive search and consulting firm
Marco Chan, founder, V2 Leadership Group
Roberta Wong Leung, Hotel, Travel and Catering School dean, Shunde Polytechnic