Federation University Australia student Mohammad Yousuf is inviting residents to participate in his PhD study.

“In Ballarat just over half of its domestic visitor market comprises VFR travellers,” Mr Yousuf said.

“We know something about those people who come to Ballarat to visit, but we know little about the role that the local residents as hosts to those visitors have in shaping the experiences of those visitors.

“This study will help understand the influence and contribution that VFR travellers and local residents as hosts have to the local economy, and how to ensure those experiences for visitors and hosts are positive.”

Mr Yousuf is interviewing local residents from Melbourne, Geelong and Ballarat. Interviews are being undertaken by telephone and take about 30 to 45 minutes.

Mr Yousuf’s principal supervisor Associate Professor Elisa Backer said he was interested in hearing from people from various cultural backgrounds.

“This may have an influential role on what activities they are engaged in with their visiting friends and relatives,” Associate Professor Backer said.

“We also recognise that not all visiting friends and relatives stay with the local resident who they have travelled to see.

“So we would also like to hear from people whose visitors choose to stay in commercial accommodation but have travelled specifically to see them.”

Any local residents of Ballarat over 18 years of age can participate in the research.

The interested participants can contact Mohammad Yousuf on 5327 6112 or email m.yousuf@federation.edu.au. They can also contact Associate Professor Elisa Backer on 5327 9645 or email e.backer@federation.edu.au.