Dr Anya Chapman
- Principal Academic In Tourism Management
- Dorset House D208, Talbot Campus, Fern Barrow, Poole, BH12 5BB
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Biography
Dr Anya Chapman joined Bournemouth University in 2013 and has worked as an academic in UK universities since 2003, specialising in tourism, hospitality, and leisure management. Prior to joining academia, Anya worked as a manager for a number of tourism organisations in the UK, including Blackpool Pleasure Beach, the Trafford Centre, and Namco Operations. Anya gained her PhD from the Management School at the University of Liverpool in 2012, with a thesis entitled ‘The Arcade Fire and Other Misdemeanours: Organisational Subcultures and Employee Misbehaviour in Amusement Arcades’. Her current research interests and publications include work on the regeneration of coastal resorts; tourism development in Malta; tourism employment; and traditional attractions at British seaside resorts such as fairgrounds, piers, and amusement arcades. Anya has served on the Executive Committee of the National Piers Society and is a founding member of the Seaside Heritage Network.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person's work contributes towards the following SDGs:
Decent work and economic growth
"Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all"
Sustainable cities and communities
"Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable"
Journal Articles
- Light, D., Cretan, R., Chapman, A., Dragan, A. and Arba-Harambasa, F., 2025. Trigger events, moments, and destination evolution in a post-socialist context. Tourism Geographies.
- Agifanto, T., Wijaya, D.A., Wijayanto, N., Wulandari, N., Baker-Beall, C. and Chapman, A., 2025. Preparedness of geotourism facilities in disaster mitigation based on the Global South viewpoint: case study of East Java, Indonesia. Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes.
- Light, D., Lupu, C., Creţan, R. and Chapman, A., 2024. Unconventional entrepreneurs: the non-economic motives of souvenir sellers. Tourism Review, 79 (8), 1442-1456.
- Axon, S., Chapman, A. and Light, D., 2024. Climate Impacts on Tangible Coastal Cultural Heritage in the United States: Towards Sustainable and Adaptive Coastal Heritage Management. Sustainability (Switzerland), 16 (16).
- Obigbesan, E., Chapman, A. and Light, D., 2024. Positive experiences of visually impaired tourists. Current Issues in Tourism, 27 (12), 1870-1883.
- Light, D. and Chapman, A., 2022. The neglected heritage of the English seaside holiday. Coastal Studies and Society, 1 (1), 34-54.
- Chapman, A., Light, D. and Richards, S., 2021. Heritage attractions, competitive pressures and adaptation: the case of the British seaside pier. Journal of Heritage Tourism, 16 (5), 533-545.
- Cassar, J., Whitfield, J. and Chapman, A., 2020. Contemporary factors influencing association conference attendance. Journal of Convention and Event Tourism, 21 (1), 57-90.
- Axon, S., Chapman, A. and Light, D., 2017. Stakeholder engagement in coastal sustainability transitions: An emerging research agenda. Regions Magazine, 308 (4), 20-22.
- Chapman, A. and Light, D., 2017. Working with the carnivalesque at the seaside: Transgression and misbehaviour in a tourism workplace. Tourist Studies, 17 (2), 182-199.
- Dumbreaveanu, D., Light, D., Young, C. and Chapman, A., 2016. Exploring women’s employment in tourism under state-socialism: Experiences of tourism work in socialist Romania. Tourist Studies, 16 (2), 151-169.
- Chapman, A. and Light, D., 2016. Exploring the tourist destination as a mosaic: The alternative lifecycles of the seaside amusement arcade sector in Britain. Tourism Management, 52, 254-263.
- Chapman, A., 2013. Coasters at the Coast. Context: Institute of Historic Building Conservation, 130, 18-20.
- Chapman, A., 2013. Twilight of the seaside amusement arcade. Context: Institute of Historic Building Conservation, 128, 24-26.
- Chapman, A., 2012. Review of ‘Routledge Handbook of Events’ by Page S.J & Connell, J (eds). Tourism Management.
- Chapman, A., 2012. Review of ‘Resorts and Ports: European Seaside Towns since 1700’ by Walton, J.K & Borsay, P. (eds). Journal of Tourism History.
- Chapman, A. and Light, D., 2011. The ‘heritagisation’ of the British seaside resort: The rise of the ‘old penny’ arcade. Journal of Heritage Tourism, 6 (3), 209-226.
- Chapman, A. and Speake, J., 2011. Regeneration in a Mass Tourism Resort: The changing fortunes of Bugibba, Malta. Tourism Management, 32 (3), 482-491.
Chapters
- Chapman, A., 2022. Seaside Piers. Encyclopedia of Tourism Management and Marketing: Volume 1-4. 2670-2673.
- Chapman, A. and Light, D., 2017. Last Night of the Fair: Heritage, Resort Identity and the Closure of Southport’s Pleasureland. In: Wood, J., ed. The Amusement Park History Culture and the Heritage of Pleasure. Abingdon: Routledge, 179-202.
- Rosslee, C. and Chapman, A., 2015. Experiences and Tourism in Coastal Areas: Marketing the tourist experience at the English Riviera. In: Fuste, F. and Amposta, J.B., eds. Experiences and Tourism: A multi-destination analysis. Barcelona: Escola Universitaria Formatic Barcelona, 95-129.
- Chapman, A., Ferry, K. and Hayler, S., 2010. Light entertainment, fairgrounds, penny-arcades and beach huts. In: Walton, J.K., ed. Coastal Regeneration in English Resorts. Lincoln: CCA, 184-189.
Conferences
- Chapman, A., 2022. Wilvercombe and the seaside resorts of the 1930s. In: The Dorothy L Sayers Society 46th Annual Convention 4-7 August 2022 University of Bristol, UK.
- Chapman, A., 2019. The Great British Seaside Revival: Identifying best practice in coastal regeneration projects. In: Sea Change: Coastal Heritage and Climate Change conference 4-6 September 2019 Blackpool, UK.
- Axon, S., Light, D. and Chapman, A., 2019. Energy at the Edge: Conflicting narratives of renewable energy developments in coastal communities. In: The 15th annual International Association for the Study of Environment Space and Place conference 24-26 April 2019 Liverpool, UK.
- Light, D. and Chapman, A., 2019. The strangely neglected heritage of the British seaside. In: Travel and Tourism Research Association (Europe Chapter) Annual Conference 8-10 April 2019 Bournemouth, UK.
- Chapman, A. and Richardson, L., 2019. Making the British seaside great again: An evaluation of coastal regeneration projects. In: Travel and Tourism Research Association (Europe Chapter) Annual Conference 8-10 April 2019 Bournemouth, UK.
- Cassar, J., Chapman, A. and Whitfield, J., 2017. Important contemporary motivators and inhibitors in association delegates’ conference attendance choice. In: Beyond the Waves: 4th International Conference in Events (ICE) 12-14 December 2017 Rosen College of Hospitality Management, UCF, Orlando, Florida, USA. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://uk.search.yahoo.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1094&context=ice2017.
- Chapman, A. and Richardson, L., 2017. Identifying best practice in British seaside resort regeneration. In: ATHE Annual Conference 2017: New approaches to Tourism Learning in Higher Education and Research on Coastal Tourism 6-8 December 2017 Eastbourne, UK.
- Chapman, A., Light, D. and Axon, S., 2017. Reconciling tourism and blue energy at the coast. In: The Visitor Economy: Strategies and Innovations 4-6 September 2017 Bournemouth.
- Light, D., Chapman, A. and Axon, S., 2017. Blue energy: Marginality, identity and engagement at the coast. In: Royal Geographical Society Annual Conference 29 August-1 September 2017 London.
- Chapman, A., 2017. Celebrating 200 years of British Seaside Piers. In: Beside The Seaside: Seaside Heritage Network Conference 24 April 2017 Scarborough, UK.
- Axon, S., Chapman, A. and Light, D., 2017. Coastal sustainability transitions: Marginality, engagement and communities. In: Sustainability Transitions in the Coastal Zone 30 March-2 April 2017 Southern Connecticut State University.
- Chapman, A. and Light, D., 2016. Pier-ing into the future: Seaside pier sustainability in the 21st century. In: 2016 ATLAS Annual Conference: Tourism, Lifestyles and Locations 14-16 September 2016 Canterbury, UK.
- Chapman, A., 2015. Pier Pressure: Best Practice in the Rehabilitation of Seaside Piers. In: REHAB 2015 International Conference 22-24 July 2015 Porto, Portugal. REHAB 2015: Proceedings of the 2nd international conference on preservation, maintenance and rehabilitation of historical buildings and structures, 1, 67-78 Barcelos, Portugal: Green Lines Institute for Sustainable Development.
- Chapman, A., 2015. The seaside pier as a barometer of changing trends in tourism and leisure. In: Leisure and Coasts, Ports and Waterways: BSSH Summer 2015 Workshop 13 June 2015 University of Portsmouth.
- Chapman, A., 2014. Revisiting Bugibba: New directions for a resort in decline. In: Tourism, Malta and the Mediterranean: Tourism Research Symposium 16-17 July 2014 Valletta, Malta.
- Chapman, A. and Light, D., 2014. Working with the carnivalesque in seaside resorts: An employee perspective. In: Seascapes: The Cultural Life of Seaside Towns’. COaST 2014 Conference 28 May 2014 Margate, UK.
- Chapman, A., 2014. Regenerating Bugibba: Challenges and Opportunities. In: Reversing Decline: Product Regeneration in Malta’s Resort Towns, Malta Tourist Authority Seminar 3 February 2014 Valletta, Malta.
- Chapman, A. and Hunter-Jones, P., 2013. The Big Wheel Stops Turning: Resistance to Change in an Amusement Park. In: British Academy of Management Conference 10-12 September 2013 Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool.
- Chapman, A., Light, D. and Young, C., 2013. Employment, professionalism and opportunity: women's experience of tourism employment in Communist Romania. In: RGS-IBG Annual International Conference 28-30 August 2013 London.
- Chapman, A., 2012. Game Over? The decline of the British seaside amusement arcade. In: LSA Coastal Cultures Conference 1 June 2012 University of Brighton.
- Chapman, A. and Speake, J., 2011. Constructing the view of Valletta: The commodification of the gaze in the development of leisure space’. In: RGS-IBG Annual International Conference 31 August-2 September 2011 London.
- Chapman, A., 2011. Reinventing the (Ferris) Wheel: The varying fortunes of British seaside funfairs. In: Leisure Studies Association Conference 5-7 July 2011 Southampton Solent University.
- Chapman, A., 2010. Last Night of the Fair: The Heritage, Culture and Closure of Southport’s Pleasureland. In: Institute for Archaeologists Annual Conference 14-16 April 2010 Southport.
- Chapman, A., 2009. Trading on Nostalgia: Are ‘penny arcades’ the future of the British seaside amusement arcade? In: Resorting to the Coast: Tourism, Heritage and Cultures of the Seaside 25-29 June 2009 Blackpool.
- Chapman, A., 2009. Fairground Culture: Part of our seaside heritage, or something the resorts would rather forget? In: Resorting to the Coast: Tourism, Heritage and Cultures of the Seaside 25-29 June 2009 Blackpool.
- Chapman, A., 2008. The Penny Falls: Investigating Organisational Subcultures within the Amusement Arcade Industry’. In: Leisure Studies Association Conference 8-10 July 2008 Liverpool John Moores University.
- Chapman, A. and Light, D., 2008. Dunes, Liminality and Deviance: Alternative Perspectives on Coastal Dunes as Recreational Spaces. In: International Dune Conference: Changing Perspectives on Coastal Dune Management 31 March-3 April 2008 Liverpool.
- Chapman, A., 2005. All the Fun of the Fair: Crime, Deviance and Risk-Taking in the Workplace. In: BSA Risk Society Conference 5-6 September 2005 Liverpool Hope University.
Reports
- LGA Coastal, S.I.G., 2024. APPG for Coastal Communities Coastal Inquiry: Update Report 2024. LGA Coastal SIG.
- Chapman, A., Richards, S. and Blake, A., 2020. Pier Review: Sustainability Toolkit for British Seaside Piers. Bournemouth University. Available from: https://piers.org.uk/news/national-piers-society-releases-major-new-study-on-british-seaside-piers/.
Internet Publications
- Chapman, A., 2021. How the pandemic has changed holidaymaking in Britain. The Conversation. Available from: https://theconversation.com/how-the-pandemic-has-changed-holidaymaking-in-britain-168409.
- Chapman, A., 2018. Britain’s Victorian pleasure piers may be popular but they face an uncertain future. iNews. Available from: https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/travel/britain-victorian-pleasure-pier-popular-uncertain-future/.
- Chapman, A., 2018. Victorian pleasure piers are unique to Britain, but they are under threat. The Conversation. Available from: https://theconversation.com/victorian-pleasure-piers-are-unique-to-britain-but-they-are-under-threat-97553.
Others
- Chapman, A. and Light, D., 2022. Why we do like to be beside the seaside – now more than ever. Archant. Published.
PhD Students
- Abdullah Alhumaydani. Investigating the role of stakeholder involvement in mega-events: A stakeholder analysis of Grand Prix in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, (In progress)
- Tomi Agfianto. The readiness of Indonesia's tourism destinations in crisis and disaster mitigation, (In progress)
- Dana Seow, 2020. The role of Gender, Patriarchy and Culture in the Asian female travel experience, (Completed)
- James Cassar, 2021. The Rejuvenation of mature destinations: Developing a Destination Viability Model for Association Conference tourism, (Completed)
- Yue Zhang, 2023. Evaluating hotel resilience: Understanding effective disaster management of hotels in China, (Completed)
Profile of Teaching PG
- Tourism & Hospitality Dissertation - Level 7
- MSc Management programmes - research project supervisor
Profile of Teaching UG
- Understanding The Tourist - Level 4
- Managing People in Tourism and Hospitality - Level 5
- Tourist Behaviour and Experience - Level 5
- International Human Resource Management - Level 6
- Tourism & Hospitality Dissertation - Level 6
- The Tourism and Hospitality Industries - Level 4
Invited Lectures
-
Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), Online lecture series, 11 Aug 2020 more
The end of the pier show: What next for the British seaside pier?
Grants
- Development of an Art Deco trail for Bournemouth (Research England, Regional Innovation Fund, 15 Feb 2024). Completed
- Factors influencing domestic holidays and the role of publicly funded domestic tourism marketing (DCMS, 06 Jan 2020). Completed
- Exploring the potential for charity/community operation of Welsh seaside piers (BU Charity Impact Fund, 01 Jan 2020). Awarded
- Pier Review (Coastal Revival Fund, 04 Mar 2019). Completed
- Climate Change and Seaside Piers (BU Student Research Assistant, 01 Jun 2017). Completed
- Retaining global talent in a service industry environment (BU QR Funds, 01 Mar 2017). Completed
External Responsibilities
- University of Southampton, PhD External Examiner (2024)
- Leeds Beckett University, External Examiner MSc Responsible Tourism Mgmt (2021-2025)
- British University Vietnam, External Examiner Tourism & Events programmes (2021-2025)
- Liverpool John Moores University, External Examiner:FDAs Tourism/Leisure/Hospitality (2020-2024)
- Staffordshire University, External Reviewer Tourism & Events Programmes (2017)
- University of Malta, PhD External Examiner (2017)
- Higher Education Academy, Reviewer for CATE and NTFS Awards (2017-)
- ESRC, Research Grant Peer Reviewer (2017-)
- Canterbury Christ Church University, External Examiner for Tourism & Hospitality (2016-2020)
- Cardiff Metropolitan University, (CUC Athens), External Examiner: BA (Hons) International Travel (2014-2016)
- University of Brighton, (UBIC), External Examiner: Hospitality & Tourism (2014-2019)
- University of Wales, External Examiner (2011-2015)
- University of Salford Business School, External Examiner (2005-2009)
- International Journal of Hospitality and Event Management, Editorial Board Member
Internal Responsibilities
- Tourism & Hospitality Level P & Level 6, Level Co-ordinator
- Panel Member, Employability Awards
- Board Member, Placement Exemption
- Panel Member, Charity Impact Funding Panel
- Panel Member, Academic Offences Panel
- Panel Member and Mentor, Teach BU
- Academic Adviser Levels 4 to 6, Academic Adviser
Public Engagement & Outreach Activities
- Director & Trustee Weymouth Museum (09 Dec 2024)
- Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT) Member of the Education and Training Committee (19 Sep 2024)
- One Coast Advisory Group (01 Nov 2022)
- Member of England's Coastal Tourism Leadership Forum (01 Aug 2017-01 Jul 2020)
- Academic Panel Member Blackpool Museum Project/ SHOWTOWN (01 Nov 2016-01 Mar 2024)
- Founding Member of Seaside Heritage Network (01 Feb 2016)
- Trustee and Director of National Piers Society (01 Jul 2013-15 Jul 2023)
Qualifications
- PhD in Organisational Behaviour/Misbehaviour (University of Liverpool, 2012)
- PGCE in Further, Adult & Higher Education (Manchester Metropolitan University, 2003)
- MA in Tourism & Leisure (Lancaster University, 1998)
- BA (Hons) in Human Geography & Sociology (LJMU, 1996)
Memberships
- British Academy of Management, Member,
- Higher Education Academy, Senior Fellow,
- Leisure Studies Association, Member,
- The Tourism Society, Member,
Social Media Links
Website Links
External Media and Press
- Hundreds attend meeting on future of historical pier, BBC News, 31 Jan 2025. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp824pynez8o
- What is the point of a Victorian pier in 2025?, BBC News, 12 Jan 2025. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c23nlp0zgd7o
- One woman’s mission to visit every UK pleasure pier as future of beloved attractions ‘are on a knife edge’, The Independent, 08 Sep 2024. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/uk-coast-pleasure-piers-seaside-b2594985.html
- Pier Review: Dorset's Seaside Piers, Dorset Magagzine, 26 Aug 2024. https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/magazines/dorset/24463288.many-piers-along-coast-dorset/
- Southport Pier closure over safety backed by surveys, council says, BBC News, 15 Sep 2023. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-66808488
- National Recognition for Scarborough's South Cliff Gardens, This is the Coast, 12 Sep 2023. https://www.thisisthecoast.co.uk/news/local-news/national-recognition-for-scarboroughs-south-cliff-gardens/
- Save our seaside – campaign to give UK beach towns the same status as castles and historic houses, The Observer, 27 Aug 2023. https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/aug/27/save-our-seaside-campaign-to-give-uk-beach-towns-the-same-status-as-castles-and-historic-houses
- In birthplace of the beach holiday, where are the tourists?, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Jul 2023. https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2023/0714/In-birthplace-of-the-beach-holiday-where-are-the-tourists
- Why we do like to be beside the seaside – now more than ever, Dorset Magazine, 01 Mar 2022. https://edition.pagesuite.com/popovers/dynamic_article_popover.aspx?artguid=5e3339b2-4d36-4250-8ffe-5f227c834cdb
- Pier into the future: What the future holds for seaside piers, Bangor City Council, 05 Nov 2021. https://bangorcitycouncil.gov.wales/Pier
- Walking the Plank, BBC Radio 4, 19 Apr 2021. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000v8b9
- This year, head to a pier!, Yorkshire Times, 09 Apr 2021. https://yorkshiretimes.co.uk/article/This-Year-Head-To-A-Pier
- Is 2021 the Year of the Pier?, Travel begins at 40, 07 Apr 2021. https://www.travelbeginsat40.com/2021/04/is-2021-the-year-of-the-pier/
- Golden age of packed New Brighton Pier brought to life, Liverpool Echo, 21 Mar 2021. https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/golden-age-packed-new-brighton-20209856
- Plymouth Pier was one of the Hoe's greatest attractions, Plymouth Live, 14 Feb 2021. https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/plymouth-pier-one-hoes-greatest-4996520
- Southend Pier: a lengthy icon of the Victorian British seaside, Geographical Magazine, 07 Sep 2020. http://geographical.co.uk/uk/discovering-britain/item/3815-southend-pier-a-lengthy-icon-of-the-victorian-british-seaside
- The evolution of great British seaside piers, Away Resorts marketing campaign, 14 Aug 2020. https://www.awayresorts.co.uk/seaside-piers
- Gone but not forgotten – our lost Sussex piers, Mid Sussex Times, 13 Aug 2020. https://www.midsussextimes.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/retro/gone-not-forgotten-our-lost-sussex-piers-2940959
- What piers need are arcades: Chapman hails upward trajectory for seaside FECs, Coinslot International, 02 Dec 2019. https://www.coinslot.co.uk/2019/12/18/piers-need-arcades/
- Feeling the heat? The economy might wilt in the sunshine too, The Telegraph, 24 Jul 2019. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2019/07/24/feeling-heat-economy-might-wilt-sunshine/
- The simple secret to spotting the next seaside property hotspot, The Telegraph, 13 Jun 2019. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/house-prices/simple-secret-spotting-next-seaside-property-hotspot/
- Roker Pier named as one of 'top 10 piers in the world', Sunderland Echo, 23 Aug 2018. https://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/roker-pier-named-as-one-of-top-10-piers-in-the-world-1-9317565
- British seaside piers and the cost of preserving tradition, Engineering and Technology Magazine, 16 Jul 2018. https://eandt.theiet.org/content/articles/2018/07/british-seaside-piers-and-the-cost-of-preserving-tradition/
- Britain’s Victorian pleasure piers are unique – and under threat, CityMetric, 03 Jul 2018. https://www.citymetric.com/fabric/britain-s-victorian-pleasure-piers-are-unique-and-under-threat-4032
- Can we save the great British pier?, The Independent, 30 Jun 2018. https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/design/pier-seaside-resort-british-historical-building-a8415831.html
- The return of the great British seaside, National Geographic Traveller, 01 May 2018. http://www.natgeotraveller.co.uk/smart-travel/features/return-great-british-seaside/
- The nation has definitely fallen back in love with piers, BBC Radio 2 Chris Evans Show, 13 Sep 2016. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p047pv5m
- Claremont Pier in Lowestoft could benefit from government cash boost, The Lowestoft Journal, 12 Mar 2015. http://www.lowestoftjournal.co.uk/news/claremont_pier_in_lowestoft_could_benefit_from_government_cash_boost_1_3990539
- If you’re a star – you appear on a pier!, The Sunday Post, 15 Jul 2014. http://www.sundaypost.com/that-s-life/honest-truth/if-you-re-a-star-you-appear-on-a-pier-1.473088
- How community ownership could ensure the future of seaside piers, The Guardian, 11 Sep 2013. http://www.theguardian.com/social-enterprise-network/2013/sep/11/community-owned-piers
- A peek behind our love of the beach, National Trust Places, 02 Aug 2013. https://ntplanning.wordpress.com/2013/08/02/a-peek-behind-our-love-of-the-beach/
