Travel and Tourism Research Group
Travel and tourism is widely recognized as being one of the largest and fastest growing economic sectors in the world. It contributes to 10% of global GDP and supports one in ten jobs (World Travel & Tourism Council, 2018). Travel also benefits personal growth and well-being through interacting with diverse cultures and landscapes.
The number of communities investing in tourism to generate local economic activity, create job opportunities for their residents, and generate tax revenue to support essential public services for residents and visitors alike is on the rise globally. As a result, responsibly managed travel and tourism has become a key driver of socio-economic progress in communities large and small.
- Current Interests of TTRG Faculty and Associates
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- Documenting the cultural, economic, and social impacts of tourism on communities and environments in developed and developing countries.
- Understanding current and potential markets for a destination through market research; assessing the effectiveness of promotional activities and materials.
- Using innovative methods such as big data to understand tourists, markets, and impacts in order to better market a destination and manage the tourism system;
- Developing strategic plans for sustainable tourism products, services, and communities.
- Working towards the creation of policy that will improve recreation and tourism planning regionally, nationally, and globally.
- Current Group Thematic Research Areas
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In the Travel and Tourism Research Group, we are using innovative methods- ranging from ethnography to tourism big data- to study the well-being, community, and societal issues in the tourism system and within a cross-cultural context. The TTRG’s current thematic research areas are:
- Destination marketing and management
- Consumer behavior and visitor experience in travel and tourism
- Educational value of travel and tourism
- Sustainability issues, societal, economic, and environmental impacts of tourism, protected areas, and biodiversity conservation
- Tourism big data
- Current Graduate Students
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Lucy Harbor
Email: lch24@psu.edu
Website: https://hhd.psu.edu/rptm/lucy-harborRui Li
Email: rul187@psu.edu
Website: https://hhd.psu.edu/rptm/rui-liRyan Naylor
Email: rsn16@psu.edu
Website: https://hhd.psu.edu/rptm/graduate/current-graduate-student-listingSo Young Park
Email: sup97@psu.edu
Website: https://hhd.psu.edu/rptm/so-young-park
