Philip Long (PhD, PGCLT, BA Hons, MTMI) is a Principal Research Fellow at the Centre for Tourism and Cultural Change at Leeds Metropolitan University, UK. Philip has research interests in the tourism dimensions of festivals and cultural events, tourism - media relationships and, social exclusion from tourism participation. He is also interested in research-based professional development for the destination management and festivals sectors.

Nicola Palmer (PhD, PGCLT, BA Hons, M.Inst.TT is a Senior Lecturer in the Centre for International Tourism Research (CITouR), Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK. Nicola has research interests in destination image, tourist perceptions and the role of tourism in national identity building. She is also interested in public policy and the relationships between the state and tourism agencies. Geographically, her research focus spans from the UK to Central Asia.