Dr Noreen Breakey joined the tourism team at UQ in 2005. She has been the Director for Undergraduate Programs, Coordinator of the First Year Experience, and is currently a member of the award-winning MTHEM Foundation Year Teaching Team. Individually, Dr Breakey received a UQ Excellence in Teaching & Learning Award - Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning. She actively undertakes scholarship of teaching and learning and has numerous research publications on tourism and hospitality education. Dr Breakey developed the Masters course, Disciplinary Foundations of Tourism, Hospitality & Events, which she continues to Course Coordinate, encouraging students to understand how the theories and approaches from different social science and humanities disciplines can help us to address the challenges and issues in tourism, hospitality, and events.
Dr Breakey received her PhD on tourism destination development from UQ in 2006. Since then her research has explored the relationships between people, tourism and the natural environment, through her principal research areas of environmental ethics, sustainable tourism, ecotourism, community-based tourism, and tourism in protected areas. She has successfully supervised six PhD scholars through to completion.
Dr Breakey is an active member of Ecotourism Australia. She was a member of their Policy and Advocacy Committee (2011 to 2014), and subsequently on their Board of Directors (2019-2023).
Prior to her academic career, Dr Breakey worked for over a decade in industry, including hotels, resorts, tour operations, travel agencies, and events in Australia and overseas, as well as in government, developing the Destination Management Plans at Tourism Events Queensland.
Journal Article: Can we buffer them? Supporting healthy levels of stress and anxiety in first year international students
Slaughter, Lee, Sie, Lintje, Breakey, Noreen, Macionis, Niki and Zhang, Jingru (2023). Can we buffer them? Supporting healthy levels of stress and anxiety in first year international students. Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism Education, 32 100438. doi: 10.1016/j.jhlste.2023.100438
Book Chapter: Leopold’s Cultural Harvest, Biocultural Tourism, and Field Environmental Philosophy
Breakey, Hugh and Breakey, Noreen (2023). Leopold’s Cultural Harvest, Biocultural Tourism, and Field Environmental Philosophy. Field Environmental Philosophy. (pp. 281-293) Cham: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-23368-5_17
Journal Article: Does tourism development shift residents’ attitudes to the environment and protected area management?
Rastegar, Raymond, Breakey, Noreen, Driml, Sally and Ruhanen, Lisa (2022). Does tourism development shift residents’ attitudes to the environment and protected area management?. Tourism Recreation Research, 1-17. doi: 10.1080/02508281.2022.2106100
(2023–2025) Indian Ocean Territories Marine Parks
Visitation to World Heritage Areas: The case of the Riversleigh Australian Fossil Mammal Site
(2005–2007) UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
Green Destinations
Doctor Philosophy
Conflict Management within the Context of Community Based Tourism: An Exploratory Study
(2016) Doctor Philosophy
(2010) Doctor Philosophy
Región de Los Ríos: Agenda de Innovacion Turistica: 2010-2020
Breakey, N., Gutierrez, C., Scott, N. R. and Szmulewicz, P. (2010). Región de Los Ríos: Agenda de Innovacion Turistica: 2010-2020. Valdivia, Chile: InnovaChile.
Industry performance analyser for tourism (IPAT) research and pilot study
Scott, Noel and Breakey, Noreen (2008). Industry performance analyser for tourism (IPAT) research and pilot study. Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.: Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre.
Leopold’s Cultural Harvest, Biocultural Tourism, and Field Environmental Philosophy
Breakey, Hugh and Breakey, Noreen (2023). Leopold’s Cultural Harvest, Biocultural Tourism, and Field Environmental Philosophy. Field Environmental Philosophy. (pp. 281-293) Cham: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-23368-5_17
Breakey, Noreen M., Robinson, Richard N.S. and Brenner, Matthew L. (2015). Approaches in the Design and Delivery of Hotel/Hospitality Management Undergraduate Degree Programmes within Australia. The Routledge Handbook of Tourism and Hospitality Education. (pp. 305-321) edited by Dianne Dredge, David Airey and Michael J. Gross. New York, NY United States: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9780203763308-37
Ecotourism: a new challenge for protecting rainforest areas in Chile
Vera Campos, Mirko, Scott, Noel and Breakey, Noreen (2014). Ecotourism: a new challenge for protecting rainforest areas in Chile. Rainforest tourism, conservation and management: challenges for sustainable development. (pp. 134-145) edited by Bruce Prideaux. Oxford, United Kingdom: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9780203087183-20
Women's participation in tourism: a case from the Maldives
Shakeela, Aishath, Ruhanen, Lisa and Breakey, Noreen (2010). Women's participation in tourism: a case from the Maldives. Tourism in the Muslim World. (pp. 61-71) edited by Noel Scott and Jafar Jafari. Bingley, United Kingdom: Emerald Publishing Limited. doi: 10.1108/S2042-1443(2010)0000002008
Women's participation in tourism: A case from the Maldives
Shakeela, Aishath, Ruhanen, Lisa and Breakey, Noreen (2010). Women's participation in tourism: A case from the Maldives. Tourism in the Muslim World. (pp. 61-71) edited by Noel Scott and Jafar Jafari. Bingley, UK: Emerald. doi: 10.1108/S2042-1443(2010)0000002008
Slaughter, Lee, Sie, Lintje, Breakey, Noreen, Macionis, Niki and Zhang, Jingru (2023). Can we buffer them? Supporting healthy levels of stress and anxiety in first year international students. Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism Education, 32 100438. doi: 10.1016/j.jhlste.2023.100438
Rastegar, Raymond, Breakey, Noreen, Driml, Sally and Ruhanen, Lisa (2022). Does tourism development shift residents’ attitudes to the environment and protected area management?. Tourism Recreation Research, 1-17. doi: 10.1080/02508281.2022.2106100
Curcija, Marcus, Breakey, Noreen and Driml, Sally (2019). Development of a conflict management model as a tool for improved project outcomes in community based tourism. Tourism Management, 70, 341-354. doi: 10.1016/j.tourman.2018.08.016
Tourism and hospitality internships: Influences on student career aspirations
Robinson, Richard N. S., Ruhanen, Lisa and Breakey, Noreen M. (2016). Tourism and hospitality internships: Influences on student career aspirations. Current Issues in Tourism, 19 (6), 513-527. doi: 10.1080/13683500.2015.1020772
A phenomenological approach to hospitality management research: chefs' occupational commitment
Robinson, Richard N. S., Solnet, David J. and Breakey, Noreen (2014). A phenomenological approach to hospitality management research: chefs' occupational commitment. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 43, 65-75. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhm.2014.08.004
Breakey, Noreen M. and Breakey, Hugh E. (2014). Tourism and Aldo Leopold's “cultural harvest”: creating virtuous tourists as agents of sustainability. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 23 (1), 85-103. doi: 10.1080/09669582.2014.924954
Breakey, Noreen and Breakey, Hugh (2013). Is there a right to tourism?. Tourism Analysis, 18 (6), 739-748. doi: 10.3727/108354213X13824558470943
A tourism immersion internship: student expectations, experiences and satisfaction
Ruhanen, Lisa, Robinson, Richard and Breakey, Noreen (2013). A tourism immersion internship: student expectations, experiences and satisfaction. Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism Education, 13 (1), 60-69. doi: 10.1016/j.jhlste.2013.02.001
A foreign assignment: internships and international students
Ruhanen, Lisa, Robinson, Richard and Breakey, Noreen (2013). A foreign assignment: internships and international students. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 20, 1-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jhtm.2013.05.005
Knowledge exchange and networks: A new destination for tourism internships?
Ruhanen, Lisa, Breakey, Noreen and Robinson, Richard (2012). Knowledge exchange and networks: A new destination for tourism internships?. Current Issues in Toursim, 15 (3), 183-196. doi: 10.1080/13683500.2011.577890
Tourism education's roles in sustainable tourism development: A case study of SIDS introduction
Shakeela, Aishath, Breakey, Noreen and Ruhanen, Lisa (2012). Tourism education's roles in sustainable tourism development: A case study of SIDS introduction. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Education, 24 (1), 35-43. doi: 10.1080/10963758.2012.10696660
Human resource policies: striving for sustainable tourism outcomes in the Maldives
Shakeela, Aisath, Ruhanen, Lisa and Breakey, Noreen (2012). Human resource policies: striving for sustainable tourism outcomes in the Maldives. Tourism Recreation Research, 37 (2), 113-122. doi: 10.1080/02508281.2012.11081696
Studying World Heritage visitors: The case of the remote Riversleigh Fossil Site
Breakey, Noreen M. (2012). Studying World Heritage visitors: The case of the remote Riversleigh Fossil Site. Visitor Studies, 15 (1), 82-97. doi: 10.1080/10645578.2012.660845
The Maldives: A sustainable tourism success story?
Shakeela, Aishath, Ruhanen, Lisa and Breakey, Noreen (2011). The Maldives: A sustainable tourism success story?. e-Review of Tourism Research, 9 (5), 243-264.
Shakeela, Aishath, Ruhanen, Lisa and Breakey, Noreen (2011). The role of employment in the sustainable development paradigm - The local tourism labor market in Small Island Developing States. Journal of Human Resources in Hospitality and Tourism, 10 (4), 331-353. doi: 10.1080/15332845.2011.588493
Hotel restaurant dining: The relationship between perceived value and intention to purchase
Ashton, Ann Suwaree, Scott, Noel, Solnet, David and Breakey, Noreen (2010). Hotel restaurant dining: The relationship between perceived value and intention to purchase. Tourism and Hospitality Research: the Surrey quarterly review, 10 (3), 206-218. doi: 10.1057/thr.2010.5
Robinson, Richard N. S., Breakey, Noreen M. and Craig-Smith, Stephen J. (2010). Food for thought: Investigating food and beverage curricula in Australian hospitality degree programs. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Education, 22 (1), 32-43. doi: 10.1080/10963758.2010.10696967
Breakey, N., Robinson, R. and Beesley, L. (2009). Students go a "Waltzing Matilda" - A regional tourism knowledge exchange through innovative internships. Journal of Teaching in Travel and Tourism, 8 (2-3), 223-240. doi: 10.1080/15313220802714505
Impact of Chinese outbound tourism to Australia: Reviewing the past; implications for the future
Breakey, Noreen, Ding, Peiyi and Lee, Timothy (2008). Impact of Chinese outbound tourism to Australia: Reviewing the past; implications for the future. Current Issues in Tourism, 11 (6), 587-603. doi: 10.1080/13683500802475935
Yield applied to destination management: an inefficient analogy
Scott, Noel and Breakey, Noreen (2007). Yield applied to destination management: an inefficient analogy. Tourism Economics, 13 (3), 441-452. doi: 10.5367/000000007781497755
Hospitality degree programs in Australia: A continuing evolution
Breakey, Noreen M. and Craig-Smith, Stephen J. (2007). Hospitality degree programs in Australia: A continuing evolution. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 14 (2), 102-118. doi: 10.1375/jhtm.14.2.102
Slaughter, Lee , Macionis, Niki , Breakey, Noreen , Zhan, Jingru and Sie, Lintje (2022). Minimising stress and anxiety in the ‘next normal’ learning environment: a case of first semester EAL students studying tourism hospitality and event courses. The Council for Australasian Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE), Online, 7-9 February 2022.
A search for commonality among sustainable tourism indicators
Balch, Cameron and Breakey, Noreen (2021). A search for commonality among sustainable tourism indicators. Council for Australasian University Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE) Conference, Online, 9-12 February 2021.
Breakey, Noreen and Ye, Isabella (2020). Looking into the future through the past: A comprehensive review of managing tourism in World Heritage Sites (1989-2019). CAUTHE2020, Auckland, New Zealand, 10-13 February 2020. Auckland, New Zealand: CAUTHE.
20:20 Vision – Diversity in hospitality and tourism undergraduate education in Australia
Breakey, Noreen, Macionis, Niki and Zhang, Jingru (Ruby) (2020). 20:20 Vision – Diversity in hospitality and tourism undergraduate education in Australia. Council for Australasian Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE) Conference, Auckland, New Zealand, 10-14 February 2020.
Why so many tools to measure eco/sustainable tourism? Overlap, anomalies and opportunities
Balch, Cameron and Breakey, Noreen (2020). Why so many tools to measure eco/sustainable tourism? Overlap, anomalies and opportunities. Global Eco: Asia-Pacific Tourism Conference, Margaret River, WA Australia/Online, 1-3 December 2020.
Learning from success: two Malaysian community based ecotourism case studies
Curcija, Marcus, Breakey, Noreen and Driml, Sally (2019). Learning from success: two Malaysian community based ecotourism case studies. Global Eco: Asia-Pacific Tourism Conference, Cairns, QLD, Australia, 2-4 December 2019.
Mainstream eco tourism: are we pushing the right buttons? Insights from environmental ethics
Breakey, N. and Breakey, H. (2017). Mainstream eco tourism: are we pushing the right buttons? Insights from environmental ethics. Global Eco: Asia-Pacific Tourism Conference, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 27-29 November 2017.
Does tourism development change local communities’ attitudes towards the environment?
Rastegar, H., Driml, S. and Breakey, N. (2012). Does tourism development change local communities’ attitudes towards the environment?. 5th International Congress of Environmental Research (ICER-12), Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, 22-24 November 2012.
Australian hospitality education - A ‘Brilliant Blend’ Of degree programs
Breakey, Noreen M., Robinson, Richard N. S., Craig-Smith, Stephen J. and Szambowski, Dominic (2011). Australian hospitality education - A ‘Brilliant Blend’ Of degree programs. Council for Australasian University Tourism and Hospitality Education Annual Conference, Adelaide, Australia, 8-11 February 2011. Adelaide, SA, Australia: School of Management, University of South Australia.
Breakey, Noreen and Craig-Smith, Stephen (2011). One Vision? Or many Visions? Trends and developments in tourism, hospitality, event and leisure degree programs throughout Australia. 9th APacCHRIE Conference, Hong Kong, China, 2-5 June 2011. Hong Kong, China: 9th APacCHRIE Conference.
The local gaze: Social inhibitors to engagement in the Maldivian tourism industry
Shakeela, Aishath, Ruhanen, Lisa and Breakey, Noreen (2011). The local gaze: Social inhibitors to engagement in the Maldivian tourism industry. CAUTHE 2011 - 21st CAUTHE National Conference, Adealide, SA, Australia, 8-11 February 2011. Adelaide, SA, Australia: School of Management, University of South Australia.
Breakey, Noreen, Robinson, Richard, Ruhanen, Lisa and Craig-Smith, Stephen J. (2010). 16 Students, 2 destinations, 1 trip: Educating students through an innovative knowledge exchange based internship. 20th Annual Council for Australian University Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE) Conference, Hobart, TAS, Australia, 8-11 February 2010. Hobart, TAS, Australia: University of Tasmania.
Shakeela, Aishath, Breakey, Noreen and Ruhanen, Lisa (2010). Dilemma of a paradise destination: Tourism education and local employment as contributors to sustainable development. 20th Annual Council for Australian University Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE) Conference, Hobart, TAS, Australia, 8-11 February 2010. Hobart, TAS, Australia: University of Tasmania.
Hotel restaurant dining: The relationship between perceived value and intention to purchase
Ashton, Ann Suwaree, Scott, Noel, Solnet, David and Breaky, Noreen (2010). Hotel restaurant dining: The relationship between perceived value and intention to purchase. 20th Annual Council for Australian University Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE) Conference, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 8-11 February 2010. Hobart, TAS, Australia: University of Tasmania.
Breakey, N., Campos, M. and Scott, N. R. (2010). Protected rainforest areas in Chile: A review and current issues: Ecotourism's growth - A new challenge for protected rainforest areas in Chile. International Rainforest Tourism Symposium, Palm Cove, QLD, Australia, 22-24 June 2010.
Australian hotel and hospitality degree programs: Philosophy and practice
Breakey, N. M., Batey, H., Robinson, R. N. S. and Craig-Smith, S. J. (2009). Australian hotel and hospitality degree programs: Philosophy and practice. 7th Asia-Pacific CHRIE Conference 2009, Singapore, 28-31 May. Singapore: APac CHRIE.
Experiential learning in a hospitality technology course
Breakey, Noreen, Ruhanen, Lisa and Scott, Noel (2009). Experiential learning in a hospitality technology course. 2nd Arab International Conference for eTourism and eCommerce: Journal of Information Technology and Tourism (JITT) Workshop, El Gouna, Egypt, 14-18 December 2009. IOETI: International Organization for the E- Tourism Industry.
Ashton, Ann, Scott, Noel, Breakey, Noreen and Solnet, David (2009). Hotel restaurant dining: An examination of the relationship between consumer socio-demographic characteristics and purchase goals. 2009 8th Asia Pacific Forum for Graduate Students Research in Tourism, Seoul, Korea, 7-9 July 2009. Seoul, Korea: Sejong University, Korea.
World Heritage - Bringing Universities and Governments Together
Breakey, N. and Vallance, T. (2009). World Heritage - Bringing Universities and Governments Together. Global Eco - Asia Pacific Tourism Conference, Alice Springs, Australia, 9-11 November 2009.
Evolution of food and beverage studies: An Australian perspective
Robinson, R., Breakey, N. and Craig-Smith, S. (2008). Evolution of food and beverage studies: An Australian perspective. CAUTHE Conference, Gold Coast, Australia, 11 - 14 February 2008. Gold Coast, Australia: Griffith University.
Food and beverage content and delivery in Australian hospitality degree programs
Robinson, R., Breakey, N. and Craig-Smith, S. (2008). Food and beverage content and delivery in Australian hospitality degree programs. 6th Asia-Pacific CHRIE (APacCHRIE) Conference, Perth, Australia, 21 - 25 May 2008. Perth: APAC-CHRIE.
Going bush: An innovative regional tourism internship project
Breakey, Noreen, Robinson, Richard, Beesley, Lisa and Craig-Smith, Stephen (2008). Going bush: An innovative regional tourism internship project. 6th Asia-Pacific CHRIE (APacCHRIE) Conference, Perth, Australia, 21-25 May 2008. Perth, Australia: APAC-CHRIE.
Ashton, Ann Suwaree, Scott, Noel and Breakey, Noreen (2008). Hotel restaurant co-branding - The impact of consumer evaluation on perceived risk, perceived value and intention to purchase. Proceedings of the 18th Annual Council for Australian University Tourism and Hospitality Education, CAUTHE, Conference, Gold Coast, Australia, 11-14 February 2008. Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia: Griffith University.
Trends and issues in Tourism and Hospitality degree education in Australia: Will the bubble burst?
Breakey, N and Craig-Smith, S. (2008). Trends and issues in Tourism and Hospitality degree education in Australia: Will the bubble burst?. 18th Annual Council for Australian University Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE) Conference, Gold Coast, Australia, 11 - 14 February, 2008. Gold Coast, Australia: Griffith University.
Undergraduate hospitality degree programs in Australia: Three decades of evolution
Breakey, N. M. and Craig-Smith, S. J. (2007). Undergraduate hospitality degree programs in Australia: Three decades of evolution. Cauthe 2007, Sydney, Australia, 11-14 February, 2007. Sydney, Australia: CAUTHE.
'Yield applied to destination management - an inefficient analogy?'
Scott, N R and Breakey, N M (2006). 'Yield applied to destination management - an inefficient analogy?'. 16th Annual CAUTHE Conference - 'to the city and beyond...', Melbourne Australia, 6-9 February, 2006. Melbourne Australia: Victoria University.
Special Event Evolution: The Schoolies Festival
Breakey, N M, McKinnon, S. E. and Scott, N R (2006). Special Event Evolution: The Schoolies Festival. Global Events Congress and Event Educators' Forum, Customs House, Brisbane Australia, 26-28 September 2006. Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland Press.
Tourism destination development - beyond Butler
Breakey, Noreen Maree (2006). Tourism destination development - beyond Butler. PhD Thesis, School of Natural and Rural Systems Management, University of Queensland.
(2023–2025) Indian Ocean Territories Marine Parks
Visitation to World Heritage Areas: The case of the Riversleigh Australian Fossil Mammal Site
(2005–2007) UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
Note for students: Dr Noreen Breakey is not currently available to take on new students.
Green Destinations
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Conflict Management within the Context of Community Based Tourism: An Exploratory Study
(2016) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
(2010) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
(2010) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Environmental Protection and Local Resident Attitudes at Early Stages of Tourism Development
(2017) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Investigating Creativity as an Alternative Explicator of the Mobility of Chefs
(2011) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
(2010) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors: