Extension and Outreach
We connect NC State research with communities and businesses to strengthen North Carolina's recreation and tourism industries, support local economies and protect natural and cultural resources.
Helping Local Communities Thrive
As a land-grant university, NC State serves North Carolina by sharing research-based knowledge and providing resources to communities, businesses and government agencies. The Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management supports this mission through extension and outreach programs that strengthen recreation and tourism opportunities across the state.
Our faculty and staff work with local partners to support small businesses, promote tourism development, protect natural and cultural resources, and help communities prepare for environmental changes and natural disasters.
Tourism plays an important role in North Carolina’s economy. In 2025, visitors spent a record $37.2 billion, supporting more than 230,000 jobs statewide, according to the N.C. Department of Commerce.
Through research, education and partnerships, our extension programs help communities develop tourism opportunities that support local businesses, create jobs and sustain the places that make North Carolina a destination for visitors.
Resources for Practitioners and Communities
NC State Tourism Extension provides research-based resources and assistance for extension agents, business owners, community leaders and others involved in tourism planning and development.
Visit NC State Tourism Extension to explore programs, educational resources and opportunities for collaboration.
Meet Our Tourism Extension Team
- Carla Barbieri — Professor and Tourism Extension Specialist
- Duarte Morais — Professor and Tourism Extension Specialist
- Whitney Knollenberg — Associate Professor and Tourism Extension Specialist
- Ann Savage — Tourism Extension Associate
Featured Programs
People-First Tourism
People-First Tourism connects local entrepreneurs with visitors seeking authentic tourism experiences. The program helps small businesses and community members share their traditions, skills and local knowledge while creating opportunities for income and economic development.
Through its online marketplace, visitors can discover and book experiences that support local businesses and connect them with the communities they visit.
Women in Agritourism
Agritourism creates opportunities for farms to diversify their income by welcoming visitors for educational and recreational experiences, including farm tours, cooking classes, hayrides and seasonal events.
The NC Women in Agritourism initiative examines the opportunities and challenges facing women involved in agritourism across North Carolina. The project seeks to identify factors that contribute to business success and support the growth of farm-based tourism.
The initiative is supported by NC State’s College of Natural Resources and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
