Peter W. Williams is a professional planner and geographer and a former faculty member in the Department of Geography at Ryerson University (1972-1989). Williams earned his BA in Geography from the University of Ottawa, his MA in Geography from the University of Waterloo, and his PhD in Tourism and Outdoor Recreation from Utah State University. He is former President of the Canadian and International chapters of the Travel and Tourism Research Association, a member of the International Academy For the Study of Tourism, and the Chair of the British Columbia Tourism Research Advisory Council. He is a recipient of the Travel and Tourism Research Association’s Life Time Achievement Award and serves on the editorial review boards of several journals, including the Journal of Travel Research, and Canadian Geographic Magazine. Williams' work focuses on policy, planning, and management issues related to tourism development. He is currently a Professor in the School of Resource and Environmental Management and Director of the Centre for Tourism Policy and Research at Simon Fraser University.

Hrayr Berberoglu received his diploma from the Salzburg Hotel Management School in Austria. After which he worked in hotels in Germany. In 1968 he emigrated to Montreal and then to Toronto - working at the Sutton Place, and Bristol Hotels. He began lecturing at Ryerson's Hospitality and Tourism program. He continued on as a professor with the school for 27 years, retiring in 2001. During this period he also received his Bachelor of Arts degree from York University. Hrayr has written more than 40 books on food, wine, and the hospitality industry. He also contributes work to several online magazines and consults for the food and wine industries.