Dr Erisher Woyo
Lecturer
My profile
Biography
I am a scholar specialising in distressed economies with Africa as my context. My PhD research focused on the nexus of destination branding, competitiveness, and attractiveness within distressed destinations. Currently, my research interests have expanded to include the analysis of complex consumer and travel behaviors of tourists visiting these areas, entrepreneurship, women empowerment and sustainability.
If you share an interest in this field, I would welcome the opportunity to collaborate and advance our understanding through joint research.
Words of wisdom
Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn - Benjamin Franklin.
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world - Nelson Mandela
Prizes and Awards
2022 Emerald Literati Award for Outstanding Reviewer
Other academic service (administration and management)
1. MBA Programme Coordinator - Namibia Business School (Feb. 2020 - Nov. 2021).
2. Head of Department - International University of Management (Jan. 2019 -Aug. 2019)
3. Head of Work Integrated Learning, Harare Polytechnic (Jul. 2013 -Feb. 2014).
4. Lecturer in Charge, School of Hospitality and Tourism, Harare Polytechnic (2010 -2013).
External examiner roles
External examiner, University of Pretoria (PhD Thesis)
External Examiner, Durban University of Technology (PhD Thesis)
External examiner, North-West University (PhD Thesis)
External examiner, Namibia University of Science and Technology (MBA and Marketing Programmes)
External Examiner, Johannesburg Business school, University of Johannesburg (MBA Thesis)
Visiting and honorary positions
1. Assistant Editor Communications - Tourism Review
2. Editorial Board Member - Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights
Editorial Board membership
1. Assistant Editor Communications - Tourism Review
2. Editorial Board Member - Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights
Membership of professional associations
1. Member of International Federation for Information Technologies in Travel and Tourism (IFITT) from 2021. Currently serving as the Communication Director for the African IFITT Chapter.
2. Member of International Place Branding Association (IPBA) from 2017.
3. Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) from 2022
4. Member of the Institute of Place Management
Impact
As an academic dedicated to impactful research, my work transcends traditional boundaries to drive meaningful change and inform policy on a global scale. By focusing on critical issues and producing comprehensive analyses, such as country reports for international organisations like UNESCO, I aim to contribute to the creation of evidence-based solutions that address pressing global challenges. My research not only advances academic knowledge but also plays a pivotal role in shaping policies that promote sustainable development and social progress.
1. Produced a country report on Scientific Freedom for UNESCO that provided comprehensive, data-driven insights regarding science and knowledge production for the purposes of informing UNESCO’s and Namibia’s policies and programmes, aiding in the development to address challenges.
Projects
I am currently working on various research projects relating to the entrepreneurship and women empowerment, international students’ employability and mobility, destination branding and sustainability.
Teaching
I am currently leading the following units
1. Researching Marketing - Level 5
2. Researching Advertising and Brand Communications - Level 5
3. Global Tourism Development - Level 6
4. International Strategic Management - Level 7
Supervision
I am interested in supervising students in any area around travel behaviour, destination branding, destination competitiveness and the application of ICT to tourism.
Past Supervision
DBA: Blue ocean strategy and SMEs in Namibia
DBA: Strategic framework for sustainability for listed firms in Namibia
Research outputs
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Books (authored/edited/special issues)
Woyo, E., Venganai, H. (2022) Gender, Disability, and Tourism in Africa Intersectional Perspectives. Springer Nature.
Mare, A., Woyo, E., Amadhila, E.M. (2022) Teaching and Learning with Digital Technologies in Higher Education Institutions in Africa: Case Studies from a Pandemic Context. Routledge.
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Chapters in books
Woyo, E. (2023) 'Customer experience and revisit intention: implications of redesigning hospitality services through technological innovations and servicescape reorganisation.' In Rather, R.A., Ramkissoon, H. (ed.) Handbook of Customer Engagement in Tourism Marketing. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, pp. 231-245.
Woyo, E., Rehman, M.A., Rather, R.A. (2023) 'Branding and Co-Creation in Emerging Tourist Destinations: A Content Hotel Website Analysis.' Brand Co-Creation Tourism Research: Contemporary Issues and Challenges. pp. 59-78.
Mare, A., Woyo, E., Amadhila, E.M. (2022) 'Harnessing the technological dividends in African higher education institutions during and post-COVID-19 pandemic.' Teaching and Learning with Digital Technologies in Higher Education Institutions in Africa: Case Studies from a Pandemic Context. Routledge, pp. 1-24.
Woyo, E., Venganai, H. (2022) 'Situating Gender and Disability in Tourism Scholarship in Africa: An Introduction to Intersectional Perspectives.' Gender, Disability, and Tourism in Africa. Springer Cham,
Woyo, E., Ukpabi, D. (2022) 'Building Resilient Smart Cities for Sustainable Urban Tourism in Africa Post-COVID-19 Pandemic.' Information and Communication Technologies in Tourism 2022. Springer Cham,
Woyo, E. (2021) 'Tourism suppliers’ view of the role of government initiatives and tourism competitiveness in distressed contexts.' In Pappas, N., Farmaki, A. (ed.) Tourism Dynamics: new perspectives and changing directions. Oxford: Goodfellow Publishers, pp. 147-165.
Woyo, E. (2020) 'Prospects and challenges of sustainable urban tourism in Windhoek: Poverty, inequality and urban risks linkages.' Sustainable Urban Tourism in Sub-Saharan Africa Risk and Resilience. Routledge,
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Media
Woyo, E. (2024) The art of compassionate feedback in university education.
Woyo, E. (2024) COP Conferences: Elitist Gatherings or Genuine Climate Action?.
Woyo, E. (2023) COP 28: A pivotal step or an illusion of progress?.
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Reports
Woyo, E., Mare, A., Amadhila, E. (2024) Perspective on Scientific Freedom in Namibia. UNESCO.
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Journal articles
Pham, L.H., Woyo, E., Pham, T.H., Dao, T.X.T. (2023) 'Value co-creation and destination brand equity: understanding the role of social commerce information sharing.' Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights,
Shereni, N.C., Musavengane, R., Woyo, E. (2023) 'COVID-19, Domestic tourism and Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Zimbabwe.' Studia Periegetica, 41(1) pp. 7.1-7.18.
Woyo, E., Musavengane, R. (2023) 'Has community-based tourism been a useful tool for poverty eradication in Southern African rural destinations?.' African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 12(2) pp. 521-534.
Musavengane, R., Woyo, E., Chawarura, W. (2023) 'Crisis management and resilience of small to medium tourism enterprises in a distressed destination.' Tourism Review International: an international journal, 27(1) pp. 1-17.
Rehman, M.A., Woyo, E., Akahome, J.E., Sohail, M.D. (2022) 'The influence of course experience, satisfaction, and loyalty on students’ word-of-mouth and re-enrolment intentions.' Journal of Marketing for Higher Education, 32(2) pp. 259-277.
Musavengane, R., Woyo, E., Ndlovu, A.O. (2021) 'COVID-19 and game park employees’ livelihoods in a distressed destination.' Anatolia: an international journal of tourism and hospitality research, 33(4) pp. 627-640.
Woyo, E., Slabbert, E. (2021) 'Competitiveness factors influencing tourists’ intention to return and recommend: evidence from a distressed destination.' Development Southern Africa, 40(2) pp. 243-258.
Woyo, E., Nyamandi, C. (2021) 'Application of virtual reality technologies in the comrades’ marathon as a response to COVID-19 pandemic.' Development Southern Africa, 39(1) pp. 20-34.
Woyo, E., Slabbert, E. (2021) 'Tourism destination competitiveness: A view from suppliers operating in a country with political challenges.' South African Journal of Economic and management Sciences, 24(1) pp. 1-10.
Woyo, E., Rukanda, G.D., Nyamapanda, Z. (2020) 'ICT policy implementation in higher education institutions in Namibia: A survey of students’ perceptions.' Education and Information Technologies, 25(5) pp. 3705-3722.
Woyo, E., Slabbert, E. (2020) 'Unpacking the motivations, satisfaction and loyalty of tourists travelling to a distressed destination.' Anatolia, pp. 536-548.
Woyo, E., Woyo, E. (2019) 'Towards the development of cultural tourism as an alternative for tourism growth in Northern Zimbabwe.' Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, 9(1) pp. 74-92.
Woyo, E., Slabbert, E. (2019) 'Cross-border destination marketing of attractions between borders: the case of Victoria Falls.' Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, 2(2) pp. 145-165.
Woyo, E., Slabbert, E., Saayman, M. (2019) 'Do socio-demographic characteristics influence destination attractiveness perceptions after political turmoil: The case of Zimbabwe?.' African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 8(3)
Woyo, E. (2018) 'An assessment of brand Zimbabwe’s competitiveness and attractiveness as a tourism destination.' European Journal of Tourism Research, 20pp. 149-152.
Woyo, E. (2018) 'Creative Industries as a Stimulant for Tourism Growth in Zimbabwe - a Critical Interjection.' ALMATOURISM-JOURNAL OF TOURISM CULTURE AND TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT, 9(9) pp. 195-211.
Woyo, E., Amadhila, E. (2018) 'Desert tourists experiences in Namibia: A Netnographic Approach.' African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 7(3) pp. 1-13.
Woyo, E. (2017) 'Visa Policies and Visa Openness Scores in SADC – An Exclusion Element of Tourism Development in Southern Africa: A Critical Interjection.' Atna - Journal of Tourism Studies, 12(2) pp. 67-83.
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Conference papers
Woyo, E. (2024) 'Cultivating sustainable practices: Harnessing indigenous wisdom to empower employees in tackling food waste in African destinations.' In Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA) Europe Chapter. George, South Africa, 21/4/2024 - 24/4/2024. pp. 17-17.
Woyo, E. (2023) 'Framing social justice and sustainable behaviour in rural food events.' In Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Marketing and Management. Sapienza University of Rome, 3/7/2023 - 7/7/2023.
Woyo, E., Ukpabi, D. (2022) 'Building Resilient Smart Cities for Sustainable Urban Tourism in Africa Post-COVID-19 Pandemic.' 11/1/2022 - 14/1/2022. Springer Cham,
Woyo, E. (2021) 'The sustainability of using domestic tourism as a post-COVID-19 recovery strategy in a distressed destination.' In The 28th Annual International eTourism Conference ENTER21 @yourplace. Online, 19/1/2021 - 22/1/2021. Wörndl, W., Koo, C., Stienmetz, J.L. (ed.) Cham: Springer, pp. 476-489.
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Presentations
Woyo, E. (2023) From Data to Discovery: Exploring the Application of Quantitative Designs in Health Sciences Research. [Presentation] On Teams,2/6/2023.
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Theses and dissertations
Woyo, E. (2018) An assessment of brand Zimbabwe's competitiveness and attractiveness as a tourism destination.
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Other