Sustainable Tourism

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.

Our Research in Action

Changing Tides: Reimagining Tourism in the Outer Banks

As a tourism boom threatens the Outer Banks of North Carolina, one researcher is working with communities to identify and implement sustainable solutions.

Some See Antarctica as ‘Last Chance’ Destination; for Others, It’s a Backdrop

Travel to nature-based destinations to socialize is a growing trend in tourism, and it was a significant pre-pandemic motivator for travel to Antarctica.

Meet Our Experts

Interested in sustainable tourism research? Contact our faculty to learn more and get involved.

• Carla Barbieri, Professor and Extension Specialist
• Whitney Knollenberg, Assistant Professor
• Yu-Fai Leung, Professor and Graduate Program Director
• Duarte Morais, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist
• Erin Seekamp, Professor and Extension Specialist