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Home > ResearchLaPan Receives $1000 Research Award
Chantell LaPan, a first year Ph.D. student, has received a $1000 research award from the Southeast Travel and Tourism Research Association (SETTRA) to begin her research project on "Mitigating Poverty in NC through Tourism Microentrepreneurship."
LaPan proposes to utilize a mixed-method approach to analyze secondary data (workforce and poverty statistics, tourism data) and survey individuals that are either unemployed or below the poverty line in three NC counties (Beaufort, Orange and Chatham counties) to determine their interest in developing tourism enterprises. The surveys will be followed up with focus groups to determine skills and assets that these individuals are willing to contribute to such a venture, as well as what are their perceived barriers to success. She propses to use existing market data, as well as consultation with contacts at the Orange County Visitor Bureau, Pittsboro-Siler City Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Small Business Center, Beaufort County Community College, to identify potential market gaps and opportunities for developing entrepreneurship.
It is anticipated that this research will provide insight into the appeal of starting one's own tourism enterprise and the barriers to success that exist for lower income individuals in NC. As an outcome of this research, LaPan proposes to work with selected individual(s) from each county to develop tourism micro-business start-up packages, or toolkits, to prepare them to launch their own tourism enterprise.
LaPan is working with Dr. Duarte Morais on this research project. She received her B.A. degree in Anthropology from UNC-CH and her Master of International Studies from NC State University.