Summary
Dr. Murray J. Mackenzie is an accomplished tourism and hospitality educator with more than three decades of international academic and industry experience across the United States, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. He currently serves as Teaching Professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, where he teaches Travel and Tourism, The Business of Tourism, Tourism: Technology and Trends within the College of Business. He has also contributed to tourism education in Nevada through this appointment at the University of Nevada, Reno, College of Business.
Dr. Mackenzie holds a Ph.D. from the University of Waikato New Zealand, and brings extensive experience in curriculum development, online and hybrid course design, and experiential learning innovation. His teaching philosophy integrates marketing principles, sustainability, and critical thinking to prepare students for leadership in the global tourism economy. He has developed and led undergraduate and graduate programs internationally, including curriculum contributions to the MSc in International Wine Management at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, where he also served as Education Specialist (Integrated Learning) in the School of Hotel and Tourism Management.
A published scholar, Dr. Mackenzie’s research explores tourism marketing and consumer behavior, corporate social responsibility, leadership in hospitality, food authenticity, and wine education. His work has appeared in leading peer-reviewed journals including Annals of Tourism Research, Journal of Sustainable Tourism, and Journal of Hospitality Marketing and Management. His scholarship informs his classroom practice, emphasizing ethical decision-making, sustainability, and industry relevance in tourism and business education.
In addition to his teaching and research, Dr. Mackenzie has demonstrated strong service and leadership within academic institutions. He has chaired faculty search and college communication committees and served on curriculum, assessment, and online learning initiatives. He actively strengthens industry engagement through alumni outreach, scholarship fundraising initiatives, and faculty advisement of student organizations, fostering professional pathways for tourism and business students.
Dr. Mackenzie is a Certified Hospitality Educator and a Certified Specialist in Wine and Spirits, reflecting his commitment to applied, interdisciplinary business education. As Teaching Professor in Tourism in the College of Business at the University of Nevada, Reno, he brings a global perspective, a record of pedagogical innovation, and a dedication to advancing tourism as a dynamic and impactful sector within business education and Nevada’s broader economic development.
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Waikato, New Zealand (2015)
- Master of Education, University of Ulster, Northern Ireland (1996)
- Advanced Diploma in Further Education, University of Ulster, Northern Ireland (1993)
- Additional Postgraduate Study
- Entrepreneurship, Auckland University of Technology (2005)
- Advanced Strategic Management, Auckland University of Technology (2005)
- Management Functions, University of Otago (2004)
- Introduction to Business Management, University of Otago (2004)
- Educational Research Methods for Adults, Massey University (2003)
Research interests
- Tourism marketing and consumer behavior
- Corporate social responsibility and leadership in hospitality
- Food authenticity and culinary identity
- Wine education and experiential learning in tourism
Book chapters
- Practical Learning in Hospitality Education (2021), University of Queensland.
- Turkish Tastes: Turkish Culture and Cuisine; Turkish Wine Heritage (2022), Aegean Exporters Association.
- Tourism and Hospitality Studies: Introduction to Hospitality (2009–10), Hong Kong Education Board.
Professional certifications
- Certified Hospitality Educator, American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (2009)
- Certified Specialist in Wine (2020) and Certified Specialist in Spirits (2021), Society of Wine Educators
- CIVB Bordeaux Wine Council Educator (2017)
- WSET Level 4 Diploma (in progress); WSET Level 3 (2011); WSET Level 2 (1998)
- Vocational Trainer and Assessor (1997)
- Advanced Hygiene Certificate (1995)
- RSA Information Technology Stage 2 (1994)
Selected publications
- Mackenzie, M., Weber, K., Fountain, J., & Reza (2024). Segmenting Chinese Wine Consumers: Motivations, Purchasing Behaviors and Wine Knowledge. International Journal of Wine Business Research.
- Pratt, S. et al. (2023). Tourism Myths and the Dunning–Kruger Effect. Annals of Tourism Research.
- Lo, A., King, B.E.M., & Mackenzie, M. (2019). Segmenting Chinese Millennial Restaurant Customers. Journal of China Tourism Research.
- Lo, A., King, B.E.M., & Mackenzie, M. (2017). Restaurant Customers’ Attitude toward Sustainability and Nutritional Menu Labels. Journal of Hospitality Marketing and Management.
- Pratt, S., Mackenzie, M., & Lockwood Sutton, J. (2017). Food Miles and Food Choices: The Case of an Upscale Urban Hotel in Hong Kong. Journal of Sustainable Tourism.
- Mackenzie, M., & Peters, M. (2014). Hospitality Managers’ Perceptions of CSR: An Explorative Study. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research.
- McKercher, B., Mackenzie, M., Prideaux, B., & Pang, S. (2012). Is the Hospitality and Tourism Curriculum Effective in Teaching Personal Social Responsibility? Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research.
- Mackenzie, M., Cheung, C., & Law, R. (2011). The Response of Hotels to Increasing Food Costs. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research.
Courses taught
- Food and Beverage Operations
- Food and Beverage Management
- Food Preparation and Production Systems
- Principles and Practices of Food Service Management
- Food Service in Special Events
- Festival and Event Management: UNVino
- Culture and Cuisine
- Gastronomy and Olfactory Studies
- Aesthetics of Music and Wine
- Wine Studies
- Wines of the World
- Beers of the World
- Spirits and Liqueurs of the World
- Advanced Seminar in Marketing: The Business of Tourism
- Advanced Seminar in Marketing: Tourism: Technology and Trends
- Tourism and Hospitality Research and Analysis
- International Tourism
- Travel and Tourism
- Wine Tourism
- Hospitality Strategic Management
- Hospitality Human Resource Management
- Hospitality Career Development