Tourism and Hospitality

Dan Allen has been a professor at Okanagan College since 2015.  Dan is engaged in an ownership capacity of various businesses ranging from pubs to distilleries to breweries located throughout Canada.  He is the former Board Chair and Past President of the Downtown Kelowna Association. While at Okanagan College, he teaches courses in Food and Wine Tourism, Hotel Management, Restaurant Management as well as courses in Marketing and Management.

Credentials:
MSc, International Relations, London School of Economics
MBA, Cornell University
BA, History and Communications, Western Washington University

I have forty-seven years of experience teaching post-secondary education courses and twenty years of experience in the administration of post-secondary institutions in a number of countries including Bermuda and Australia. 

I worked for two years as a marketing representative for EMCO Limited, London, Ontario and for two years as the Marketing Research Analyst for Kelvinator (Canada) Limited, London, Ontario. For four years, I was the Managing Director of a Canadian high-tech firm which sold information technology equipment in the southern Africa countries of Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland.

For eleven years, I was the Dean of the Faculty of Hotel and Business Management at Bermuda College on the island of Bermuda. I was also the Chief Operating Officer and Dean of the Australian International Hotel School for nine years, a public agency collaboration between the Government of the Australian Capital Territory and Cornell University.

Credentials:
Appointed a Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality (FIH), formerly the Hotel and Catering International Management Association (FHCIMA), London, UK
Appointed Professor Emeritus, Australian International Hotel School
Senior University Administrator’s Course, The Ivey School, University of Western Ontario (UWO)
Barrister and Solicitor, Law Society of Upper Canada (Province of Ontario Bar)
Juris Doctor, UWO
Master of Business Administration, UWO
Bachelor of Arts (Honors) in Political Science, UWO

David Knapp is a professor teaching in the areas of business with a tourism specialty.

Over his 35-year professional career, David has been focused on client experience, sales, and leadership with roles in the tourism, financial services, and non-profit sectors, most recently as Director, National Business Development at CIBC. An active member of the community, David has held volunteer positions with organizations including Downtown Kelowna Association, United Way, Toastmasters, and currently serving on the Board of the Kelowna Visual and Performing Arts Society.

Credentials:
MA, Leadership, Royal Roads University (2023)
BBA, Okanagan University College (2003)
Diploma, Tourism, Selkirk College (1996)

Alan Rice received his Master’s of Arts in Tourism Planning and Development from California University in 2010. He completed his Bachelors of Administration with honours in marketing, specializing in marketing research, at Brock University in 1991. He has been teaching in the fields of Tourism and Hospitality Management and Marketing at Okanagan College since 2008.

Alan has over seventeen years of management experience in the tourism industry. He is the owner and principal of Kettle Valley Research, a boutique marketing research consultancy. Since its establishment in 2003, Kettle Valley Research has worked with clients in the tourism industry, government, economic development, as well as several advertising agencies and private firms. From 1996 to 2003 he worked in the tourism research field at Tourism Whistler where he oversaw all aspects of market research, analytics, and competitive intelligence.

Credentials:
MA, Tourism Planning and Development, California University
BA, Marketing, Brock University

Danielle Robinson has PhD from the University of Guelph in the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, a Masters of Education from UBC, a Wine Business Management Certificate – Foundation Level from Sonoma State University, and Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) level three. She lives in the South Okanagan (British Columbia, Canada) where she explores the relationships between local food cultures, sustainability and rural tourism. Danielle teaches courses in tourism planning, wine and food tourism and sustainable tourism at Okanagan College.

Credentials:
MEd, UBC
BA, SFU

Google scholar

Tania Rutt is a professor specializing in tourism and hospitality, with a career spanning well over two decades in the luxury hotel and tourism sectors. Her expertise is rooted in extensive international experience across North America and Europe, where she has worked in various roles focused on tourism development, management, and client experience.

Tania began her career with a degree in International Relations from the University of British Columbia (UBC) and later earned an MBA from a French business university jointly administered by Cornell University. Her professional journey took her to Los Angeles, where she launched her career in luxury hotels, and eventually to Hilton International in France, where she held multiple leadership roles.

Now back in Canada, Tania is passionate about equipping the next generation of tourism professionals with the knowledge and skills to succeed in this dynamic, global industry.

In addition to her academic role, Tania has served on the Tourism Kelowna Board of Directors and is an active member of her community. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, cheering on her kids in their activities, and exploring the natural beauty of the region.

Credentials:
MBA, IMHI, Cornell-ESSEC France
BA, UBC Vancouver