Collaborative cross-cultural curriculum development in cyber-space

This paper reports on a collaborative action project that is on-going between tourism and hospitality staff at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in the US and tourism staff at Central Queensland University, Rockhampton. The project focuses upon the exchange of web-based travel and tourism advertising and has encouraged students to acquire information technology communication skills through the use of Blackboard Discussion Board Forums. Students exchange images of US and Australian destinations together with comments and appraisals regarding the accuracy with which such images depict the cultures and attractions of the American and Australian destinations. Cultural icons within both natural and built environments seemingly remain strong influences on image selection, and the possibility exists that this may translate to destination choices.