Australia Celebrates Professor Larry Dwyer’s Lifetime Achievement with the Prestigious Ulysses Award for Tourism Excellence

Published on November 20, 2025

Sydney, Australia, is the proud host of the prestigious Ulysses Award, presented by UN Tourism, to Professor Larry Dwyer in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the tourism sector. This remarkable award, which is UN Tourism’s highest academic honor, was presented at a special ceremony at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), where Professor Dwyer serves as a Professor and Adjunct Fellow. This marks a momentous occasion in Australia’s tourism research landscape as it underscores the nation’s significant role in shaping the future of global tourism, particularly in the fields of tourism economics, sustainability, and destination competitiveness.

Receiving the award, Professor Dwyer’s work was celebrated for bridging the gap between academic research and real-world applications, advancing sustainable tourism practices, and helping policymakers craft strategies that enhance tourism’s role in global development. His ongoing commitment to sharing knowledge across sectors has made a lasting impact on the tourism industry and tourism policy, solidifying his position as one of the most respected figures in the field.

A Prestigious Honor for Exceptional Contribution to Tourism

The Ulysses Prize, named after the legendary traveler, has been awarded 17 times to distinguished scholars who have significantly advanced tourism theory and practice. Professor Dwyer’s recognition highlights his longstanding dedication to improving the tourism sector and his focus on the broader impacts of tourism on society, economy, and environment. This year’s award acknowledges his research excellence and the profound influence it has had on tourism economics, policy frameworks, and sustainable tourism development.

Professor Dwyer’s insights have reshaped how the tourism industry perceives the complex relationship between economic growth, community wellbeing, and environmental sustainability. He has called for policies that move beyond traditional efficiency-driven metrics to integrate wellbeing indicators that better measure tourism’s true value to society.

Shaping the Future of Tourism Through Knowledge

The ceremony, attended by an audience of academic staff, policymakers, and industry stakeholders from across Australia and Sydney, marked the culmination of Professor Dwyer’s impactful career. Professor Andrew Parfitt, Vice Chancellor and President of University of Technology Sydney, spoke to the importance of Professor Dwyer’s work, emphasizing that his research exemplifies the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). His contributions highlight the role of evidence-based research in promoting inclusive growth and sustainable development in the tourism industry.

In his award acceptance speech, Professor Dwyer focused on tourism’s evolving role in global development, drawing attention to the sector’s potential to foster inclusive economic growth and social well-being. He noted that tourism policies should look beyond economic gains and address the social and environmental impacts of tourism, advocating for a more holistic and responsible approach to the industry’s development.

Tourism Policies Beyond Economic Efficiency: A New Vision

Professor Dwyer’s perspective on tourism challenges the traditional narrow focus of policies that prioritize economic growth at the expense of broader social wellbeing. He emphasized that for tourism to be truly sustainable, policies must incorporate wellbeing measures, taking into account the long-term impact on local communities, cultural heritage, and the environment. This shift towards a more inclusive and resilient model of tourism is in line with the core principles of sustainable tourism championed by UN Tourism.

In his address, Professor Dwyer stated: “Tourism policies should look beyond narrow, efficiency-driven economic indicators, to employ wellbeing measures to better gauge progress in tourism sustainable development.” His call to action urges the tourism industry to embrace sustainability, integrating social impact and economic resilience as key performance metrics.

Building Global Partnerships for Sustainable Tourism

Beka Jakeli, UN Tourism Director of External Relations, also spoke at the ceremony, emphasizing the global challenges that tourism faces today, including climate change, political instability, and macroeconomic fluctuations. He called for stronger partnerships between public, private, and academic sectors to develop evidence-based strategies that can guide tourism towards long-term sustainability. These partnerships, according to Jakeli, are vital in fostering an innovative tourism model that is not only economically profitable but also environmentally responsible and socially inclusive.

The ceremony and the Ulysses Award’s recognition of Professor Dwyer also underscore the importance of academia in shaping the future of tourism. Universities and research institutions play a critical role in transforming industry practices through cutting-edge research, while also guiding policymakers on the most effective and responsible approaches to tourism development.

Australia’s Leadership in Tourism Research

This award highlights Australia’s role as a leader in tourism research, with University of Technology Sydney serving as a hub for innovative work in the tourism sector. Australia has long been at the forefront of tourism economics, destination competitiveness, and sustainable tourism development, making it an ideal location for the Ulysses Prize to be presented. The recognition of Professor Dwyer not only celebrates his career but also highlights Australia’s continued commitment to advancing global tourism research and addressing the challenges of sustainable tourism on a global scale.

Ulysses Award: A Symbol of Leadership and Exploration

The Ulysses Award has been a symbol of intellectual exploration and leadership since its inception. Each year, the award honors individuals whose work has bridged the gap between academic research and practical application, influencing policy, governance, and industry strategies worldwide. It celebrates those who have shown exceptional leadership in tourism, contributing to a positive transformation of the sector.

As tourism faces a range of global challenges, including environmental pressures and shifting consumer behavior, the Ulysses Prize recipients serve as beacons of excellence. Their work not only guides the future direction of the industry but also helps shape the tourism sector’s response to global sustainability issues, climate change, and community engagement.

Tourism as a Force for Positive Change

Professor Dwyer’s work epitomizes the UN Tourism’s mission to promote tourism as a force for positive change. His contributions align with the UN’s Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, which underscores the importance of tourism in fostering peace, understanding, and sustainable development. Through his research, Professor Dwyer has shown how evidence-based tourism policies can drive inclusive growth, helping to build more resilient communities and more sustainable destinations.

The Ulysses Award and its recipients continue to inspire the tourism industry and academia to advance knowledge, foster global collaboration, and create lasting change that benefits both travelers and the communities they visit.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Knowledge and Action

Professor Larry Dwyer’s receipt of the Ulysses Prize is a powerful reminder of the important role that research, education, and knowledge sharing play in advancing sustainable tourism globally. His career serves as an inspiration to tourism professionals, academics, and policymakers, encouraging them to work together to create a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient tourism industry that benefits everyone.