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College of Natural Resources
Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management

Sustainable Tourism

Sustainable Tourism - Areas of Research - Parks Recreation and Tourism Management NC State

Advancing Sustainable Development

More people are traveling the world than ever before, with the number of international tourist arrivals reaching 1.4 billion last year. These global adventures fuel one of the world’s largest and most economically viable industries: tourism. The tourism industry helps generate investment, tax revenues and employment opportunities. It also promotes the conservation of natural and cultural resources.

At NC State’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, we seek to examine the role and contribution of tourism in the social, cultural, environmental and economic well-being of communities worldwide. Our research − conducted at international, national, and regional scales − supports management strategies and entrepreneurial innovations that improve destination competitiveness while also conserving resources, promoting socio-cultural integrity and stimulating economic development. The resulting knowledge is not only shared within the academic community but also with practitioners through the university’s Tourism Extension program.

Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management Research Features

October 08, 2024

NC State on the Coast

On a breezy September day, doctoral student Zakir Bulmer sits on the edge of a boat on the Pamlico Sound and allows himself to fall backwards into the water. He’s spending the day scuba diving at different sites across the sound with his advisor, Tal Ben-Horin, an assistant professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences. …

October 02, 2024

What Climate Change Means for Tourism

Tourism-dependent communities must take action to become more resilient to climate change if they want to maintain visitors, according to NC State professor Erin Seekamp.

May 03, 2024

Birdwatching can help students improve mental health, reduce distress

A new study finds people who have nature-based experiences report better well-being and lower psychological distress than those who do not. Birdwatching in particular yielded promising results, with higher gains in subjective well-being and more reduction in distress than more generic nature exposure, such as walks. Because birdwatching is an easily accessible activity, the results…

Meet Our Experts

At the College of Natural Resources, our faculty are at the forefront of education and research in the field of sustainable tourism.