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Tourism and Hospitality Dissertation Topics

Published by Grace Graffin at January 10th, 2023 , Revised On May 17, 2024

Introduction

As a tourism student, you will be required to study the basics of tourism, hospitality, and event management. Some important issues surrounding tourism include but are not limited to medicine, finance, culture, geography, and more.

We understand that choosing the right dissertation topic can be a bit overwhelming for you. Therefore, our writers have provided a comprehensive list of topics for the tourism dissertation. These topics are recent, relevant, and exploratory enough for you to conduct a comprehensive research study.

We can even customise topics according to your needs. So, go through our list of dissertation topics, choose the one that interests you, and let us know if you would like any help from our writers.

Check our dissertation example to get an idea of how to structure your dissertation .

You can review step by step guide on how to write your dissertation here.

Latest Tourism Research Topics

Investigating how the tourism industry has taken green and sustainable measures- a case study of uk.

Research Aim: This study will investigate the various aspects of the UK tourism industry geared towards making green and sustainable measures for environmental benefits. It will also look into the consumer’s perspective towards green tourism and its positive and negative impacts on the tourism industry and the tourists. It also helps you better understand the concept of a green environment and its influence on the tourism industry.

Environmental Management Systems and their Implementation in the UK- A Systematic Review.

Research Aim: This study will explore the quality of environmental management systems, environmental performance, improvements, and implementation in the UK. We will focus on different companies with high environmental impacts and how they have improved the environment and the use of environmental management systems (EMS). This study will also look into how it has changed or influenced the hospitality industry.

Investigating the impact of Social Media Recommendations on Hotel Booking in the UK.

Research Aim: Social media is a part of every aspect of our daily life. This research will investigate the influence of social media on tourism and specifically on choosing a hotel; it will also help you evaluate if consumers perceive social media-based recommendations differently than more traditional sources of internet-based marketing. Qualitative research will be used in this, followed by thematic analysis to find the role of social media in recommendations and influencing consumers’ searches. This will help us better understand how VR makes decisions and hotel bookings.

Assessing the Impact of Virtual Reality on Tourism.

Research Aim: Virtual reality (VR) is an emerging technology in tourism. This study will find the impact of virtual reality on the tourism industry. It will also investigate consumer behaviour towards it. We will better understand how VR has affected the tourism industry and significantly influenced the results. TAM research model will be developed to describe the nature of the 3D virtual world. It will also cover some psychological aspects to understand the consumer perspective.

Role of Social Media Marketing in deciding a Travel Destination- A Systematic Review.

Research Aim: This study investigates the role of social media marketing in deciding a travel destination. This study aims to find and understand how social media can achieve marketing objectives. Taking a quantitative approach, we will find the role of social media marketing and its effect on making travel choices through interviews and surveys. It will further explore the tourist’s perception, expectations, and experiences.

Investigating the Negative Impact of Travel Bans

Research Aim: This study explores the negative effects of travel bans on social, economic, cultural, and public health aspects. The study aims to analyse the repercussions of travel restrictions to inform policymaking. It will further investigate ways to avoid adverse consequences while promoting global mobility and cooperation.

An Exploration of the Hospitality Industry Wages

Research Aim: To investigate the wage structures in the hospitality industry. This study explores factors influencing disparities and evaluates their implications. Insights will be provided on wage fairness, workplace satisfaction, gender discrimination, and industry competitiveness. It will also cover policies and practices to improve employee well-being and organisational performance.

Effects of Covid-19 on Tourism and Hospitality Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: tourism after coronavirus pandemic - way forward for tourism and hospitality industry in the uk or any other country of your choice.

Research Aim: Tourism is a reason for most of the human mobility in the modern world. According to the World Tourism Organisation (2020), international tourism has indicated continuous growth for the tenth consecutive year, reporting 1.5 billion international tourist arrivals in 2019 and an estimated 1.8 billion international tourist arrivals by 2030 )people are forecasted to be. This particular research will focus on the effects of the Covid-19 outbreak on the tourism and hospitality industry in the United Kingdom or any other country of your choice.

Topic 2: Investigating the Long Term Effects of Prolonged and New Travel Restrictions on the UK Tourism Industry

Research Aim: Britain will require anyone entering the country to self-quarantine for two weeks, and other European countries are pondering similar measures, but the prospects of prolonged and even new travel restrictions are destroying what hopes the continent’s airlines and tourist industry have been harbouring of at least a partial coronavirus rebound. Can the tourism sector of the UK overcome these challenges?

Topic 3: Coronavirus: Dubai Tourism Insists Emirate's Hotel Sector is Healthy, Rejects Bloomberg Report but Is It Really the Case?

Research Aim: Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) has denied a Bloomberg report about the emirate’s hospitality businesses adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic. This research will employ primary research methodology to gather data from the key stakeholders of the Emirates hotel industry to assess whether or not the ongoing COVID-19 crisis is causing panic and financial damage to the hotel industry.

Topic 4: Will Easing the Travel Restrictions Benefit the UK Tourism Sector in the Short Term?

Research Aim: Many European countries, including the UK, are easing lockdown measures, including tourist destinations preparing for the summer. Cafes and restaurants in London and other cities hardest hit by the virus in the UK have opened two weeks behind the rest of the country. However, with most travellers preferring to stay home in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, how effective are these measures going to be?

Topic 5: Coronavirus outbreak: Caribbean Tourism Struggles as Visitors Stay Home

Research Aim: In the Caribbean, the government plans to require all visitors to undergo rapid Covid-19 testing upon entry. They hope provisions such as virus tests for all industry workers and socially distanced resort dining will make people feel comfortable travelling. This research study will explore whether the measures taken by the Caribbean government will actually encourage the visitors to leave the comfort of their home and travel in the midst of the Covid-19 Crisis.

Ecotourism and Community Participation Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: online tourism agents and websites.

Research Aim: This research aims to study online tourism websites and travelling agents

Topic 2: Advances in Tourism and Hospitality Post-pandemic

Research Aim: This research aims to assess the advances in Tourism and Hospitality post-pandemic

Topic 3: Impacts of Social Distancing on Tourism Managements

Research Aim: This research aims to study the impacts of social distancing on tourism managements

Topic 4: Advances in Hotel Management Post-pandemic

Research Aim: This research aims to assess advances in Hotel management post-pandemic

Topic 5: The Linguistic Roots of the Word “Hospitality” across Different Languages

Research Aim: This research investigates the linguistic roots of the word hospitality across different languages and the semantic shifts over time.

Topic 6: The Relationship Between the Host and the Guest

Research Aim: This research explores the relationship between the host and the guest and how both need to act under laws and regulations.

Economic Conditions and Local Tourism Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: factors impacting destination selection for medical tourism.

Research Aim: Medical tourism is a growing trend. An increasing number of people travel to another country, seeking medical treatment which is expensive or unavailable on their own. Various factors impact the destination selection process for medical treatment purposes. The destination can be local or international. With limited evidence on the factors that impact destination selection for medical tourism, there is a need for a comprehensive study exploring these factors in detail.

Topic 2: Impact of Low budget Airline Services on Boosting International Tourism in Europe: A Case Study of Ryanair.

Research Aim: With increasing costs of air travelling, the demand for low-budget airline services is on the rise. Ryanair is one of the leading low-budget airline services based in the UK. Its cheap air tickets attract many regular travellers. Given this, the main aim of this research will be to explore whether or not low-budget airlines are actually helping to increase international tourism in Europe or not. This research will be conducted based on quantitative data which will be collected from a sample of Ryanair international tourism travellers.

Topic 3: Eco-friendly Practices and Their Effect on Hotel Selection Decision: A Case Study of UK Hospitality Industry.

Research Aim: Various technologies can be implemented to achieve eco-friendliness, such as; internet of things, automation technology, bamboo industrialisation, and sustainable building construction. On the other hand, eco-friendly practices include; water and energy conservation, renewable energy use, waste recycling and management, alternative plastic products, and more. Many hotels in the UK install solar panels and automated systems, which generate renewable energy and ensure complete automation for lights and water. It is worth evaluating how eco-friendly technologies and practices affect the hotel selection decision of guests in the UK hospitality industry.

Topic 4: How Economic Conditions of a Country Impact its Local Tourism: Identifying the Economic Factors Influencing the Tourism Sector.

Research Aim: Economic factors have a great impact on tourism. When a country is economically strong, it spends a great deal on tourism development. On the other hand, tourism could be adversely affected if a country is struggling with its finances. This research aims to investigate and critically analyse the economic factors which tend to affect the tourism sector of a country. The study will also weigh the economic upsides and downsides of these factors concerning local tourism.

Topic 5: Assessing the Impact of Social Media Platforms on Tourism Destination Selection.

Research Aim: These days, social media websites play a tremendous role for tourists in destination selection. The experiences and reviews that people share on online social platforms have a huge impact on making or breaking the future of any tourist destination. This research will analyze the role of different social media platforms in choosing tourism destinations among tourists. This research will also shed light on the rationale and factors people rely on social media to select their tourism destination.

Topic 6: Assessing the Impact of Government Rules, Regulations, and Policies on Tourism Development: A Case Study of Developing Countries.

Research Aim: The tourism sector of any country is greatly looked after by governmental and regulatory bodies. This research will analyze the role played by such bodies from the perspective of policymaking and regulation implementation. The study will also explore how the impact of policymaking and government regulations in developed countries might be different from that of developing countries.

Topic 7: Analysing the Impact of Natural Hazaresearch will measure the customer satisfaction of British lesbians after they have undergone gender reassignment at the Yanhee International Hospital in Bangkok.

Research Aim: Natural hazards can have a disastrous effect on the tourism industry of any country. The UK is one of the countries where the tourism industry has experienced huge success. Thus, this research will be carried out to analyze the impact of such hazards on the UK’s tourism sector.

Topic 8: Assessing the Factors and Preferences Impacting Tourist's Decisions to Travel to a Dark Tourism Site.

Research Aim: As a result of a shift in preferences of tourists and an urge to explore and learn, dark tourism has gained immense popularity and success in recent times. This research will explore the factors and reasons why tourists choose dark places as their tourism destination.

Topic 9: The Impact of Travel Bloggers and vloggers on the Tourism Industry.

Research Aim: Travel bloggers and vloggers are an important part of the tourism industry now. These people travel the world, document their experiences through their writing or videos, and influence people. Tourists throughout the world now depend on their reviews and choose their travel destinations accordingly. This research will aim to explore how these influencers have completely changed the tourism industry.

Educational Tourism Dissertation Topics

Tourism has gained tremendous popularity among academicians and researchers in recent times. Educational tourism primarily takes into consideration technical competencies and new knowledge gained outside the classroom environment.

Educational tourism brings to light the idea of travelling to learn about the cultures of other nations. Exchange student programmes are perhaps the most commonly employed educational tourism strategy, allowing students to learn about the culture of the host nation through research work and travel. Possible areas of research in this field of tourism for your dissertation are provided below;

Topic 1: Educational Tourism Programmes and the Popularity of Host Nations

Research Aim: This research will discuss the educational exchange programmes in detail and will also assess how educational tourism can add to the appeal of the host nations for prospective tourists.

Topic 2: Factors Affecting the Decision of British Students to Join International Student Exchange Programmes.

Research Aim: Even though student exchange programmes are popular throughout the world, there are certain countries where they are practised the most. This research will study one such country, the UK, concerning the factors that encourage British students to join international exchange programmes.

Topic 3: Factors Contributing Towards the Success of Work & Study Programmes in the UK

Research Aim: This research will analyse the factors that contribute towards the success of study programmes in the UK, i.e. benefits of studying in the UK and the attractiveness of the UK as a place to live and study.

Topic 4: To Analyse the Satisfaction of International Students Enrolled in Student Exchange Programmes in the UK

Research Aim: This research will cover an important topic, i.e., measure the satisfaction of international students enrolled in exchange programs in the UK – the same topic can be used for any other country such as the USA or Canada.

Topic 5: To Investigate Potential Marketing and Communication Tools to Promote “any country” as the Best Place to Pursue Higher Education.

Research Aim: This research will investigate and conclude the most successful marketing and communication tools that are used to promote exchange programmes in a particular country. The topic can be customised according to the country of your choice.

Topic 6: What are the factors Influencing British Students’ Decision to Join Academic Year Exchange Programme in Japan?

Research Aim: Japan is one of the most popular destinations when it comes to student exchange programmes. This research will assess the factors that influence a British student’s decision to go to Japan to pursue education.

Topic 7: To Examine the Popularity of Student Exchange Programmes Offered by Chinese-speaking Countries.

Research Aim: This research will explore the reasons for the popularity of student exchange programmes in countries where Chinese is the official language such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, etc.

Topic 8: To Investigate the Attitude and Perception of British Students toward Summer Camps.

Research Aim: Summer camps are extremely popular in the west. This research will explore the perceptions of British students towards summer camps and what motivates them to attend them.

Topic 9: Factors Affecting the Decision of University Students to Pursue a Placement Programme in the US?

Research Aim: This research will aim to understand the rationale of university students’ decisions to pursue placement programmes in the US,

Topic 10: To Examine the Satisfaction of University Students Returning from Cultural Exchange Programmes in the US.

Research Aim: This research will aim to understand the satisfaction of university students who are on their way back from exchange programmes in the US.

Medical Tourism Dissertation Topics

Medical tourism is a new area of study in the tourism industry. The gap in the prices of medical facilities available in developing and developed countries is significant, propelling many patients to travel to far destinations to benefit from economic, medical services.

Similarly, many financially well-off patients decide to have medical treatment in foreign countries with advanced and established medical systems that provide state-of-the-art medical facilities unavailable in their home countries.

Although there may be insufficient secondary data to analyse this tourism sub-topic, researching this area will prove to be interesting. You can choose your medical tourism dissertation topics from this list.

Topic 1: Investigating the Reasons Why British Citizens Travel to Different Countries for their Dental Procedures

Research Aim: This research will identify and discuss in detail the reasons why British citizens travel to different countries for dental treatment.

Topic 2: The efficacy of marketing and communication tools employed by Thai plastic surgery and extreme makeover service providers – An investigation into the attitude and perception of British travellers.

Research Aim: A large number of British citizens travel to Thailand for cosmetic and plastic surgeries. This research will aim to understand the attitudes and perceptions of British travellers who opt for these surgeries in a foreign country. The research will also assess the marketing and communication tools employed by Thai medical service providers.

Topic 3: To Identify and Discuss Critical Marketing Strategies to Promote a Weight Loss Centre in the UK.

Research Aim: This research will talk about the marketing strategies that are undertaken in the UK to promote weight loss centres.

Topic 4: Measuring Customer satisfaction of British Lesbians After Having Sex Reassignment at Yanhee International Hospital, Bangkok

Research Aim: This research will measure the customer satisfaction of British lesbians after they have undergone gender reassignment at the Yanhee International Hospital in Bangkok.

Topic 5: To Examine the Factors Influencing the Decisions of British Women to Buy Body Contour Tour Packages in East Asia.

Research Aim: This study will analyze the factors that influence the decision-making of British women when burying body contour tour packages in East Asia.

Topic 6: To Investigate the Extent to Which Swiss Weight Control Tour Packages Have Influenced Women in the UK.

Research Aim: This research will focus on the decision-making detriments of British Women who opt to purchase weight control tour packages in Switzerland.

Topic 7: How Young British Females Perceive Facial Lifting package Tours in East Asia?

Research Aim: This study will analyze how young British females perceive facial lifting package tours in East Asia.

Topic 8: To Understand and Discuss the Factors Affecting Buying Decisions to Benefit from Extreme Makeover Tour Packages in Eastern Europe.

Research Aim: This research will critically explore the factors that influence the buying decision of customers who purchase extreme makeover packages from Eastern Europe.

Topic 9: How Attractive are the Plastic Surgery Makeover Services to Female British Customers – A Qualitative Study

Research Aim: This research will understand and analyze the attractiveness of plastic surgery makeover services that influence British females to purchase them. The research will be descriptive in nature.

Topic 10: How Homosexual Men Choose Medical Tour Packages for Sex Reassignment.

Research Aim: This study will investigate gender reassignment tour packages that interest homosexual men and the factors influencing their decision-making process.

Tourism Management Dissertation Topics

Tourism management is perhaps the most interesting area of the tourism industry. It mainly involves travelling for the purpose of leisure and recreation. People travelling to other countries and outside their usual environment with the intent of leisure can be classified as tourists.

It should be noted that the phenomenon of tourism has grown tremendously in recent years, thanks to the impact of globalisation. There are many countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Maldives, and Fiji, whose largest source of income is tourism. In these countries, tourism generates huge revenue for the government and also provides employment opportunities for the working class as well as businesses.

The suggestions below can help you to narrow your research for your tourism dissertation.

Topic 1: How British Tourists Perceive Chinese World Heritage Tour – A Qualitative Study

Research Aim: This research will focus on how British tourists perceive Chinese heritage and what compels them to visit China.

Topic 2: Exploring the Factors that Make London the Most Popular Destination for Christmas Shopping

Research Aim: This research will analyse and explore the various factors that promote London as one of the most attractive destinations for Christmas shopping.

Topic 3: Investigating the Underlying Factors that British Citizens Consider when Choosing a Destination for Their Winter Holidays.

Research Aim: This research will analyse the various factors that British citizens consider and evaluate when choosing a destination for their winter vacations.

Topic 4: An Analysis of Factors Affecting Employees’ Motivation in Luxury Hotels of Dubai.

Research Aim: This research will study the factors influencing employee motivation in luxury and five-star hotels in Dubai. The study will make use of secondary data and primary research to establish the exact factors that motivate employees to work for luxury hotels in Dubai.

Topic 5: How the Tourism Industry of Thailand Responded to the Tsunami.

Research Aim: This study will dive into the past to establish how the Thai tourism industry responded to Tsunami.

Visit our topics database to view 100s of dissertation topics in your research area.

Topic 6: Factors Influencing British Customers’ Decisions of Purchasing Egypt Tour Packages.

Research Aim: This research will explore the factors that British citizens consider when planning their holiday to Egypt.

Topic 7: Attitude and Perception of British Tourists Toward Thailand as a Winter Holiday Destination

Research Aim: This study will research why the British choose Thailand as their winter holiday destination.

Topic 8: The Increasing Popularity of Cruise Travel in South Africa Among British Tourists

Research Aim: This research will consider the reasons why South African cruise is extremely popular amongst British tourists.

Topic 9: To Investigate the Efficacy of Integrated Marketing Communication Tools to Restore the Image of Amsterdam as the Best Tourist Destination in Europe

Research Aim: This research will explore the marketing and communication tools utilized to market Amsterdam as the best tourism destination in Europe.

Topic 10: Factors Influencing British Customers’ Decision to Choose a Particular Destination During the Summer/winter Holiday

Research Aim: This research will discuss all the factors that influence British citizens to choose a destination for their summer or winter holidays. This topic can be customized according to a country of your choosing.

Hospitality Dissertation Topics

Hospitality industry consists of casinos, resorts, restaurants, hotels, catering as well as other businesses that serve the tourists. At its core hospitality can be defined as the relationship between a guest and the hotel.

Other aspects of hospitality include but are not limited to liberality, friendliness, warm welcome, entertainment, goodwill, and reception. Modern-day businesses pride themselves on their acts of hospitality. Thus, it is an extremely interesting sub-topic to base your dissertation on. Some topics in this area of tourism are suggested below.

Topic 1: Examining How Popular Travel Agents Such as eBrooker and Opodo are Perceived by British Tourists

Research Aim: This research will evaluate some of the best and most popular travel agents such as Opodo and eBookers and how they assist British tourists with their destination planning.

Topic 2: Identifying the Factors that Influence Leisure Hotel Buying Decisions of British Customers

Research Aim: This research will identify the factors that influence British customers’ decision to opt for luxury hotels.

Topic 3: Identifying Features of a leisure hotel that attract British honeymoon couples

Research Aim: This research will identify features of a luxury hotel that attract British couples looking for a honeymoon location.

Topic 4: Investigating Hospitality Practices of Popular Leisure Hotels in Dubai

Research Aim: This study will investigate hospitality purchases of attractive luxury hotels in Dubai.

Topic 5: What are the Prime Factors Influencing Restaurant Selection Decisions of Young British Couples?

Research Aim: This research will explore the factors that influence British couples to select restaurants for their time out.

Topic 6: Investigating and Reviewing Strategies Employed by Hotel Restaurants and Pubs in London to Keep Their Employees Motivated

Research Aim: This research will study an important aspect of the tourism industry, i.e., how hotel restaurants and pubs in London keep their employees motivated.

Topic 7: Exploring the Relationship Between Culture and Leisure Hotel Buying Decisions in London.

Research Aim: This research will investigate the relationship between how customers in London choose a luxury hotel based on their culture.

Topic 8: Creating Brand Sales and Recognition Using Integrated Marketing Communication Tools.

Research Aim: This research will explore how brand sales and recognition are built using various marketing and communication tools.

Topic 9: Understanding the Relationship Between Customers’ Buying Decisions and Leisure Hotel Hospitality Features within the Context of Overseas Holidays

Research Aim: This research will explore the relationship between customers’ decision to choose a luxury hotel while visiting different countries.

Topic 10: The Impact of Hospitality Companies’ Brand Image on Tourists’ Buying Decisions.

Research Aim: This research will first talk about different hospitality companies and how their brand image impacts tourists’ buying decisions.

Black Tourism Dissertation Topics

Black tourism, also known as dark tourism and grief tourism, involves travelling to historical sites/places associated with death, casualties, and suffering.

Dark or black tourist sites such as battlefields, monuments, castles, Tsunami sites, and Ground Zero are man-made or natural. They are found commonly in Scotland, South Asia, China, and Eastern Europe.

Dark tourism may not be the ideal choice for many students. However, it is an exciting topic to explore. Possible research topics under this field of tourism are listed below:

Topic 1: How Local Communities Can Benefit Commercially and Socially from Tours to Death/Casualty Sites – A Qualitative Study

Research Aim: This research will explore the various benefits that local communities can experience from touring death or casualty sites.

Topic 2: Attitude and Perception of Tourists Towards Taj Mahal in India

Research Aim: Taj Mahal can be categorised as a dark tourism site because many people consider it a mausoleum. This research will discuss the attitude and perceptions of tourists when visiting the Taj Mahal.

Topic 3: To Investigate and Identify the Factors Influencing Tourists’ Decisions to Visit gGrief Sites in the UK

Research Aim: This research will explore the factors that influence the decisions of tourists to visit grief sites in the UK.

Topic 4: Is Mercat Tour in Scotland a Grief Tourism Site for Potential Tourists?

Research Aim: Mercat Tour in Scotland is considered a ghost site. This study will explore what makes this site a dark tourism destination.

Topic 5: Developing a Highly Effective Marketing Strategy to Promote London Dungeon Among the Tourists

Research Aim: This research will understand the various marketing strategies undertaken to promote the London Dungeon amongst tourists.

Topic 6: What are the Primary Factors Influencing British Tourists’ Decision to Choose Grief Sites?

Research Aim: This research will understand the various factors that influence British tourists’ decision to select a dark tourism site.

Topic 7: Developing a Marketing Strategy to Promote Beaumaris Prison in Wales as Another Black Tourism Site in Britain

Research Aim: This research will focus on developing a successful marketing strategy that will help promote Beaumaris Prison in Wales as a black tourism site in Britain.

Topic 8: How are Man-made Grief tourism Sites are Perceived by British Tourists?

Research Aim: This research will discover how British tourists perceive man-made dark tourism destinations.

Comparing the Man-made Black Tourism Sites with the Natural Disaster Grief Sites from the Perspective of Tourists

Research Aim: This research will compare manmade and natural dark tourism destinations with a focus on tourists’ perceptions.

Topic 10: Do the Local Communities Economically Benefit from Tourists Visiting Dark Tourism Sites?

Research Aim: This research will explore whether or not local communities are impacted in any way when dark tourist sites in their locality are visited.

Sustainability and Tourism Dissertation Topics

At its core, this field of tourism primarily focuses on the way tourists can live harmoniously with the planet earth. Ecotourist sites or sustainable tourist sites are those that promote fauna and flora and cultural heritage. Another objective of eco-tourism is to provide social and economic opportunities to local communities. Some interesting topics worth exploring, in this area, are suggested below:

Topic 1: Investigating the Impact of the Internet on the Growth of Eco-tourism in the UK

Research Aim: This research will study the impact of the internet on the rising eco-tourism trend in the UK.

Topic 2: Factors Affecting British Customers’ Decision of Choosing an Eco-tourism

Research Aim: This research will study the reason why British tourists opt for an eco-tourism site as compared to traditional destinations.

Topic 3: Establishing and Discussing Strategies to Promote Swansea as the Best Eco-tourist Spot in the UK

Research Aim: This research will discuss the various ways through which Swansea can be promoted as the best eco-tourist spot in the UK.

Topic 4: Analysing the Role of Price in the Selection of Eco-tourism Destinations

Research Aim: This research will understand the various factors that influence the tourists’ decision to choose an eco-friendly site for their next holiday destination.

Topic 5: Examining the Use of Integrated Marketing Communication Tools to Promote Eco-tourism in Great Britain

Research Aim: This research will study and analyze the different ways through which integrated marketing communication tools should be used to promote eco-tourism in the UK.

Topic 6: Comparing Developing World Eco-tourism Sites Against Western Eco-tourism Sites

Research Aim: This study will compare developing eco-tourism sites and developed or Western eco-tourism sites. The study will conclude which sites tourists prefer and what factors lead them to their decision.

Topic 7: Does Eco-tourism Develop Social and Economic Opportunities for Local Communities?

Research Aim: This research will explore whether or not eco-tourism helps develop social and economic opportunities in the local communities. If it does, the study will explore those factors as well.

Topic 8: Exploring the Factors Affecting the Buying Decisions of Customers Interested in Eco-tourism Sites

Research Aim: This research will identify and discuss the various factors that affect the buying decision of customers who are interested in eco-tourism sites. These factors will then be explored in detail in this study.

Topic 9: Analysis of the Potential of Edinburgh as an Eco-tourism Site in the UK

Research Aim: This research will compare manmade and natural dark tourism destinations and will also include tourists’ perceptions.

Topic 10: Assessing the Impact of Grass Root level Education in Promoting Sustainable Tourism in Europe – A Review of the Literature

Research Aim: This research will discuss the impact of grass root level education to promote sustainable tourism in Europe. The study will be based on the qualitative research method.

Important Notes:

As a tourism and hospitality student looking to get good grades, it is essential to develop new ideas and experiment with existing tourism and hospitality theories – i.e., to add value and interest to your research topic.

The field of tourism and hospitality is vast and interrelated with many other academic disciplines like civil engineering, construction, law, engineering management, healthcare, mental health, artificial intelligence, physiotherapy, sociology, management, marketing, and nursing . That is why it is imperative to create a project management dissertation topic that is particular and sound and actually solves a practical problem that may be rampant in the field.

We can’t stress how important it is to develop a logical research topic; it is the basis of your entire research. There are several significant downfalls to getting your topic wrong: your supervisor may not be interested in working on it, the topic has no academic creditability, the research may not make logical sense, and there is a possibility that the study is not viable.

This impacts your time and efforts in writing your dissertation as you may end up in a cycle of rejection at the very initial stage of the dissertation. That is why we recommend reviewing existing research to develop a topic, taking advice from your supervisor, and even asking for help in this particular stage of your dissertation.

While developing a research topic, keeping our advice in mind will allow you to pick one of the best tourism and hospitality dissertation topics that fulfil your requirement of writing a research paper and add to the body of knowledge.

Therefore, it is recommended that when finalizing your dissertation topic, you read recently published literature to identify gaps in the research that you may help fill.

Remember- dissertation topics need to be unique, solve an identified problem, be logical, and be practically implemented. Please take a look at some of our sample tourism and hospitality dissertation topics to get an idea for your dissertation.

How to Structure Your Tourism and Hospitality Dissertation

A well-structured dissertation can help students to achieve a high overall academic grade.

A Title Page
Acknowledgements
Declaration
Abstract: A summary of the research completed
Table of Contents
Introduction : This chapter includes the project rationale, research background, key research aims and objectives, and the research problems to be addressed. An outline of the structure of a dissertation can also be added to this chapter.
Literature Review: This chapter presents relevant theories and frameworks by analyzing published and unpublished literature available on the chosen research topic in light of the research questions to be addressed. The purpose is to highlight and discuss the relative weaknesses and strengths of the selected research area while identifying any research gaps. A breakdown of the topic and key terms can have a positive impact on your dissertation and your tutor.
Methodology: The data collection and analysis methods and techniques employed by the researcher are presented in the Methodology chapter, which usually includes research design, research philosophy, research limitations, code of conduct, ethical consideration, data collection methods, and data analysis strategy .
Findings and Analysis: The findings of the research are analysed in detail under the Findings and Analysis chapter. All key findings/results are outlined in this chapter without interpreting the data or drawing any conclusions. It can be useful to include graphs , charts, and tables in this chapter to identify meaningful trends and relationships.
Discussion and Conclusion: The researcher presents his interpretation of results in this chapter and states whether the research hypothesis has been verified or not. An essential aspect of this section is to establish the link between the results and evidence from the literature. Recommendations with regard to the implications of the findings and directions for the future may also be provided. Finally, a summary of the overall research, along with final judgments, opinions, and comments, must be included in the form of suggestions for improvement.
References: Make sure to complete this in accordance with your University’s requirements
Bibliography
Appendices: Any additional information, diagrams, graphs that were used to complete the dissertation but not part of the dissertation should be included in the Appendices chapter. Essentially, the purpose is to expand the information/data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How to find dissertation topics about tourism and hospitality.

To find tourism and hospitality dissertation topics:

Examine industry trends and challenges.
Explore cultural, environmental, or tech impacts.
Research niche areas like ecotourism or event management.
Analyse customer behaviour and satisfaction.
Consider sustainable practices.
Select a topic aligning with your passion and career aspirations.

What is the best research topic for tourism?

There is no one best topic, but here is a trending topic. “The Impact of Virtual Reality Technology on Tourist Experience and Destination Promotion: A Comparative Analysis.” This research topic explores how VR technology affects tourist perceptions, engagement, and decision-making and its implications for destination marketing strategies, comparing traditional methods with VR-based approaches in tourism promotion.

Tourism and hospitality PhD

Since the 1990s, the University of Brighton has taken a pioneering role in the academic study of tourism, and welcomes students undertaking PhD research across all aspects of tourism and hospitality.

The university is an affiliate member of the UN World Tourism Organisation. Our academics are well-known internationally for their critical perspective on the sector, their industry experience and their emphasis on critical thinking, public-facing, interventionist social science. Expert supervision will allow you to join researchers who undertake intellectually rigorous research that contributes towards the theoretical, methodological and applied development of travel and tourism.

Recent and current PhD students have been successful in obtaining studentships covering both fees and living costs through the University of Brighton’s involvement in the ESRC South Coast Doctoral Training Programme .

Supervisory expertise spans a range of disciplinary approaches to the PhD study of tourism, hospitality and events. These include human geography, development studies, sociology, anthropology, marketing and business, cultural studies and political science. Much of our work has real-world application and staff are well-connected to a variety of international development agencies (i.e. UNWTO, World Bank, UN), public, private and third sectors’ organisations.

Our current and recent PhD students are exploring a range of topics in relation to the role of politics in tourism, the relations between tourism and poverty alleviation, critical perspectives on travel philanthropy, the influence of the perception of risk on consumer decision-making in ocean cruising, post-conflict destination branding and national identity construction, the role of sport tourism in image destination formation in the Middle East, tourism development and community involvement in Saudi Arabia.

Many of our graduates have progressed into jobs in academia, becoming lecturers or post-doctoral researchers, while others work in commercial consultancy, international development or international travel, tourism, hospitality and events operations.

Apply to 'business and law' in the portal

Apply with us for funding from the ESRC South Coast Doctoral Training Programme

Key information

As a tourism, hospitality and events PhD student at Brighton, you can develop research plans and apply methods involving both quantitative and qualitative data, supported by appropriate research methods training. You will benefit from:

a supervisory team comprising two or sometimes three members of academic staff. Depending on your research specialism you may also have an additional supervisor from another School, another research institution, or an external partner from government or industry.
desk space and access to a computer in a space specifically designed for research students. There are a range of facilities on the Eastbourne campus including various catering options.
access to a range of electronic resources via the university’s Online Library, as well as to the physical book and journal collections housed within the network of university campus libraries.

Details of specific topic areas can be located in the lists below and on the university research pages. Please contact the relevant member of staff before submitting an application through the university’s Doctoral College.

Academic environment

Based on the university’s Moulsecoomb campus, the School of Business and Law has a vibrant community of research staff, which PhD students join as active members.

Academics deliver translational research with local, regional and international benefits. PhD students form an integral part of BBS and take an active role in a range of intellectual and social activities within the school. All postgraduate students are invited to join the university's research centres and groups, including the Tourism, Hospitality and Events Research and Enterprise Group , which will provide you with opportunities to present ‘work in progress’ and network with other researchers.

The Brighton Doctoral College offer a training programme for postgraduate researchers, covering research methods and transferable (including employability) skills. Attendance at appropriate modules within this programme is encouraged, as is contribution to the school’s seminar series. Academic and technical staff also provide more subject-specific training.

We welcome approaches for PhD supervision across most aspects of tourism hospitality and events research. Fields of recent pursuit have included: investigations of human resource issues, sociology and social issues, food and consumer behaviour, digital technologies and social media. The following list of interests will serve as a guide to some of the department’s outlook and expertise:

sustainable, responsible, ethical and community-based tourism
tourism - policy, planning, development and management
globalisation, migration and mobility
sexuality and gender
niche and special interest tourism - particularly cruise tourism; sport tourism, family tourism, rural tourism, nature based tourism
tourism and development in developed, developing and emerging countries
tourism and social justice
tourism environmental justice (i.e. animal rights in tourism)
travel philanthropy
consumer behaviour in tourism
destination management and marketing
tourism impacts management
visual and visuality; culture and media, popular films and tourism
heritage, landscape and memorialisation
identities and culture, embodiment, materiality and the senses
international events and festival
subculture, counterculture and spectacle

Some of our supervisors

Dr matthew adams.

Dr Adams supervises PhD students addressing a range of topics including mental health and distress, social and cultural identity, critical psychologies of climate change, climate activism, nature-connection, Anthropocene studies, nature-based interventions, human-animal relations and posthumanities. He is especially interested in supervising students adopting qualitative methodological and critical theoretical approaches. Interdisciplinary projects are especially welcome.

Dr Mandy Curtis

I am interested in supervising Post Graduate Researchers in events, public space, and identities. I am also keen to support students researching diversity in all its forms, as well as those looking at accessible and sustainable events.

The doctoral project I am currently supervising is examining the value of social entrepreneurship and volunteer support within community sports events.

Dr Barbara Grabher

I am interested in supervising doctoral students in their research projects linking to the field of Critical Event Studies, urban/ regional regeneration, gender/equality/diversity, ecological sustainability as well as community and identity creation. Due to my thorough education and extensive experience of ethnographic fieldwork in event settings, my supervisory interest strongly grounds in this methodological approach. If you're interested in undertaking research that examines the above mentioned themes, please feel free to contact me.

Dr Nigel Jarvis

I have successfully supervised a number of PhDs to completion, with candidates getting academic publications as part of their journey even before they defend their thesis. I am interested in supervising research projects on gender and sexuality, the cruise sector, sport tourism, sport and event sponsorship, sport event legacies, the socio-cultural impacts of tourism and events, and leisure management.

Dr Adam Jones

I am interested in supervising PhD students interested in sustainability related to tourism, marketing, and corporate social responsibility. I am also interested in those wanting to research behaviour change, especially related to the environmental crisis. Recently completed research and publications include those concerning behaviour change and travel demand management, destination planning and management and information overload on the internet. I specifically welcome projects that adopt innovative qualitative methodological approaches to creating new knowledge.

Dr Catherine Kelly

I welcome the opportunity to supervise PhD students with an interest in the areas of tourism and wellbeing, place and wellbeing, sustainability, nature-based tourism, coastal tourism, blue spaces, water and wellbeing, rural tourism, cultural/heritage tourism, national parks and biospheres.

Dr Rodrigo Lucena De Mello

I welcome students' research projects in the following areas: Consumer psychology and behaviour; Customer relationship marketing; Marketing for families; Gender and sexuality in marketing

For further supervisory staff including cross-disciplinary options, please visit research staff on our research website.

Making an application

You will apply to the University of Brighton through our online application portal. When you do, you will require a research proposal, references, a personal statement and a record of your education.

You will be asked whether you have discussed your research proposal and your suitability for doctoral study with a member of the University of Brighton staff. We recommend that all applications are made with the collaboration of at least one potential supervisor. Approaches to potential supervisors can be made directly through the details available online. If you are unsure, please do contact the Doctoral College for advice.

Please visit our How to apply for a PhD page for detailed information.

Fees and funding

Funding

Undertaking research study will require university fees as well as support for your research activities and plans for subsistence during full or part-time study.

Funding sources include self-funding, funding by an employer or industrial partners; there are competitive funding opportunities available in most disciplines through, for example, our own university studentships or national (UK) research councils. International students may have options from either their home-based research funding organisations or may be eligible for some UK funds.

Learn more about the funding opportunities available to you.

Tuition fees academic year 2023–24

Standard fees are listed below, but may vary depending on subject area. Some subject areas may charge bench fees/consumables; this will be decided as part of any offer made. Fees for UK and international/EU students on full-time and part-time courses are likely to incur a small inflation rise each year of a research programme.

Contact Brighton Doctoral College

To contact the Doctoral College at the University of Brighton we request an email in the first instance. Please visit our contact the Brighton Doctoral College page .

For supervisory contact, please see individual profile pages.

Areas of Study
Courses and Curriculum
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Doctorate in Sustainable Tourism

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School of Social and Human Studies
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Master in Nutritional Science
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Master in Virtual Archival Science
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Master of Biohacking and Nutrigenomics
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Postdoctoral in Mining Engineering
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Postdoctoral in Music
Postdoctoral in Nutrigenetics
Postdoctoral in Nutrition
Postdoctoral in Oil, Gas and Energy Engineering
Postdoctoral in Organizational Development
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Postdoctoral in Philosophy
Postdoctoral in Physical Anthropology
Postdoctoral in Physical Culture And Sports
Postdoctoral in Political Science
Postdoctoral in Public Administration
Postdoctoral in Public Health
Postdoctoral in Quantum Computing
Postdoctoral in Radio And Television Production
Postdoctoral in Social Media Marketing
Postdoctoral in Social Sciences
Postdoctoral in Sociocultural Anthropology
Postdoctoral in Sociology
Postdoctoral in Software Engineering
Postdoctoral in Sport Management
Postdoctoral in Sport Science
Postdoctoral in Sports Marketing
Postdoctoral in Sports Psychology
Postdoctoral in Statistics
Postdoctoral in Strategic Management
Postdoctoral in Sustainable Design and Construction
Postdoctoral in Sustainable Materials Science
Postdoctoral in Sustainable Natural Resources Management
Postdoctoral in Sustainable Tourism
Postdoctoral in Synthetic Biology
Postdoctoral in Technical Writing
Postdoctoral in Theater
Postdoctoral in Theology
Postdoctoral in Virtual Archival Science
Postdoctoral of Biology
Postdoctoral of Industrial Engineering
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Postdoctoral of Legal Studies
Postdoctoral Research in Accounting
Postdoctoral Research in Adult Education
Postdoctoral Research in Advertising
Postdoctoral Research in Agriculture
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Postdoctoral Research in Animation
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Postdoctoral Research in Archeology
Postdoctoral Research in Architecture
Postdoctoral Research in Art History
Postdoctoral Research in Artificial Intelligence
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Postdoctoral Research in Economics
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Postdoctoral Research in Finance
Postdoctoral Research in Healthcare Administration
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Postdoctoral Research in Information Technology
Postdoctoral Research in Interior Design
Postdoctoral Research in International Relations
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Postdoctoral Research in Physical Education
Postdoctoral Research in Project Management
Postdoctoral Research in Psychology
Postdoctoral Research in Renewable Energy
Postdoctoral Research in Scenography
Postdoctoral Research in Telecommunications
Postdoctoral Research in Tourism Planning and Development
Postdoctoral Research in Travel and Tourism
Postdoctoral Research in Unmanned Aerial Systems Engineering (UAV and drone technology)
Postdoctoral Research in Urban Planning
Postdoctoral Research in Visual and Performing Arts
Postdoctoral Research in Web Design
Postdoctoral Research Program

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Academic Freedom to Discover Your Purpose Open Curriculum Design at Atlantic International University

The doctoral program in Sustainable Tourism offers students the research and analytical tools necessary to train high quality human resources, capable of identifying and integrating the social, economic, and environmental factors involved in a topic of study that will allow them to design and execute proposals to substantially contribute to the sustainable development of the topic of study.

Our program does not require all students to study the same subjects and use the same books and other learning materials as others. If you are a purpose-driven individual who wants to elevate your life and make a solid contribution to the world, then this postdoctoral program is for you.

Core Courses and Topics in Sustainable Tourism

Sustainable Development Epistemology and Research Methodology Multivariate Statistics Technical Writing Thematic support electives Management of coastal and island natural resources Biodiversity Integrated Natural Resource Management Coastal Environment and Development Tourism and leisure, fundamentals and foresight Theories and trends in business management, with

emphasis on the sustainable management approach. Fundamentals of protected natural areas management Ecological concepts Ecology Conservation Environmental Monitoring and Data Analysis Environmental Management Strategies Marine Ecology Marketing Theory and Practice Planning Principles, Process and Law

Orientation Courses

Communication & Investigation (Comprehensive Resume) Organization Theory (Portfolio) Experiential Learning (Autobiography) Seminar Administrative Development (Book Summary) Seminar Cultural Development (Practical Experience) Seminar International Development (Publications)

Research Project in Sustainable Tourism

Doctoral Dissertation Project MBM900 Doctoral Proposal MBM902 Doctoral Dissertation (15,000 words) Publication: Each Doctor of Education graduate is encouraged to publish their research papers either online in the public domain or through professional journals and periodicals worldwide.

Employment Opportunities in Sustainable Tourism

Tour Guide Tourism Educator Environmental Architecture Travel Organization Tourism Development and Planning Travel Writer Tourism Advisor Tourism Operator Environmental Consultants

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Ph.D.: Hospitality and Tourism Management Concentration

This program will prepare you for a career in research and teaching at institutions throughout the United States and abroad.

The coursework includes several hospitality and tourism management courses as well as a group of research design and statistics courses. You will also complete courses in supporting fields of inquiry such as psychology, sociology, management, marketing, etc. The program typically requires four years to finish, including courses, a second-year paper, a comprehensive exam, and a doctoral dissertation. Applicants with strong hospitality and tourism management backgrounds are preferred. Incoming students are expected to have both good written and oral communication skills, as well as the analytical skills required to master research methods and statistics.

Admission requirements

We prefer the GMAT, but we do accept the GRE test as a substitute. In either case, the exam must have been taken within 5 years of the time of application to WSU.

Desired prerequisites

In general, you must meet the following prerequisites to be accepted into the program:

A master’s degree (M.S., M.A. in a related discipline, or MBA), although outstanding applicants with bachelor’s degree will be considered
A GPA higher than 3.25 on a 4.00 scale
Hospitality and/or tourism related background (educational or professional)
Interests and goals that complement faculty interests and the program’s goals
Letters of recommendation supporting your candidacy for admission
A substantial industry experience (strongly preferred)

While applicants may have diverse profiles, an educational or business background that reflects an understanding of and interest in hospitality and tourism management is advantageous. Students with an MBA or business experience, in particular, are preferred. Because the program is focused on graduating students qualified to teach at high-quality, research-oriented institutions, you should have good command of the English language, both spoken and written, and have a reasonable level of skill in mathematics to facilitate the mastery of research methods and statistics. You should also have competencies in hospitality and tourism management in addition to accounting, economics, finance, management, marketing, operations management, and computer skills. If you are deficient in any of these areas, additional coursework and preparation beyond the major course of study may be required. Your advisory committee will determine these requirements.

General Competency

The requirements for this program follow the Ph.D. Program in Business Administration Policies and Procedures and Program Requirements in the Carson College of Business. The concentration in Hospitality and Tourism takes advantage of existing course and seminar offerings in the other five business disciplines to offer a diverse and flexible high-quality program. The program requirements for the concentration in Hospitality and Tourism Management are designed to develop proficiency in the student’s major field of study with applications in hospitality business management.

Research tool requirements

A minimum of 4 research tool courses to be selected by the student with the approval from his/her Ph.D. committee.

ANOVA (e.g., Psych 511, Stat 507, Stat 512, or Soc 522)
Regression/Econometrics (e.g., Psych 512, Soc 521, Stat 530, Stat 533, Stat 535, EconS 511, or EconS 512)
Psychometric Theory (e.g., Psych 514 or Stat 520)
Multivariate Statistics (e.g., BA596, Mktg 594, Stat 519, MgtOp519, or MgtOp591) or Applied Structural Equation Modeling (Psych 516)

These suggested courses above may be substituted for other courses that treat each of the above topics in a comprehensive fashion, as approved by the student’s program committee. Although four research tool courses are required, additional research courses may be taken as part of the student’s supporting field requirements.

Major field requirements

These courses will enable you to develop proficiency in your primary area of study.

HBM 591: Seminar in Services Management
HBM 592: Seminar in Current Issues in Travel and Tourism
Mktg 593: Behavioral Research Methods Seminar
BA 598: Research and Professional Development Seminar (1 credit course)
HBM 600: Independent Study (Second-year Research Project)

Business electives

You are required to complete at least 2 of the following graduate-level business courses:

EconS/Fin 596 Advanced Topics in Financial Economics
MGTOP 516 Time Series
HBM 581 Services Management
IBUS 580 International Business Management
MGMT597 Seminar in Organizational Behavior
MGMT597 Seminar in Organizational Theory
MGMT597 Seminar in Strategic Management
MIS 572 Database Management Systems
MIS 574 Telecommunications and Networking in Business
MIS 582 Systems Analysis and Design
MKTG 590 Seminar in Consumer Behavior
MKTG 591 Seminar in Marketing Management
MKTG 592 Seminar in Marketing Foundations

These suggested courses above may be substituted for other courses as approved by the student’s program committee.

Supporting field requirements

Coursework in the area of specialization is intended to provide necessary skills and knowledge to conduct research in a chosen field. Courses must be related to an area of study selected by the student and approved by the doctoral student’s committee. Supporting doctoral level coursework may be selected from areas such as (but not limited to) research seminars in anthropology, psychology, sociology, economics, management, international business, information systems, marketing, communication, etc. Additional coursework in HBM may also be taken, with approval from the doctoral student’s committee.

PhD Research Credit Requirements

In addition to major field requirements, business electives, and supporting field requirements, the Ph.D. in Hospitality and Tourism Management requires additional research credits associated with the development of the final dissertation. A minimum of 32 (800 level) research credit hours is required.

Sample PhD Program in Business Administration With Concentration in Hospitality and Tourism Management

Based on 9 credits per semester in the first year of study**.

BA 598 (1 credit course)
Business Elective

Start preparation for 2nd Year Research Project

Supporting Field Course
HBM 600 (2nd Year Research Project)

Preparation for Comprehensive Exams

Comprehensive Exams

Full-time Research (Dissertation and Other)

Courses cannot be counted twice under any of the above-mentioned requirements.
No more than 9 hours can be taken as independent study courses.

Annual Review and Written and Preliminary Exams

The goal of the annual reviews and the exams is to assess the candidate’s overall mastery of the core body of knowledge in the field and the degree of preparation to undertake research independently or with minimal supervision. The Ph.D. Program area coordinator and committee along with appropriate advisors will annually review the progress of the students in terms of publications and research effort. The Preliminary Exam (scheduled sometime during the third year in the program) will test the candidate’s knowledge in five areas:

Hospitality and tourism management major field requirements: Hospitality and Tourism Management core knowledge includes a thorough understanding of hospitality and tourism, and behavioral research methods.
Business electives: The student should be able to demonstrate an appropriate level of understanding of theories and research methods aligned with those business disciplines chosen for further study, including finance, information systems, international business, management, operations, and/or marketing.
Hospitality and tourism research: The student should be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of hospitality and tourism research, including explanatory theories and past research findings. In addition, the candidate is expected to demonstrate command over the relevant literature from his/her supporting field.
Hospitality and tourism research methods and statistics: The student should also have an extensive knowledge of statistics and the research methodologies that can be employed to study hospitality and tourism phenomena from a behavioral standpoint.
Oral and written communication skills: Given the program’s focus on producing hospitality and tourism scholars who can be successful at other accredited, peer or better research universities, the student is also expected to show a high level of written and oral communication skills exhibited in the written and oral comprehensive exams, research presentations at national/international conferences, and publications in hospitality & tourism journals.

Jenny Kim, Ph.D. Professor School of Hospitality Business Management Todd Hall 331C [email protected] 509-335-4706

Program at a glance

Degree offered: Doctor of Philosophy Number of faculty working with students: 9 Number of students enrolled in program: 8 Students with assistantships/scholarships: 100% Industry experience preferred Priority application deadline: January 10

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Hospitality, Tourism, Transport and Events PhD

Key information, full-time - 4 years, part-time - 8 years.

Research brochure

Webinars and events

Why choose this programme

We have an outstanding reputation in the sector and run the largest hospitality, tourism and events PhD programme in the world.
We are ranked 1st in the UK and 2nd in the world for hospitality and tourism management in the Shanghai Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2023 . We are 1st in the UK and 15th in the world for hospitality and leisure management in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024 . We are also ranked 1st for tourism, transport, travel and heritage in the Complete University Guide 2024 .
The School of Hospitality and Tourism Management is now ranked 10th for research outputs with 93% of our research being rated as world-leading (4*) or of internationally excellent (3*) quality by the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 . The University of Surrey is 33rd in the REF UK rankings for overall research quality. The University is now also ranked in the top 20 in the UK for the overall quality of research outputs – research papers and other published works.
We belong to TECHNE , an  Arts and Humanities Research Council  (AHRC)-funded doctoral training partnership, which provides access to comprehensive academic and professional training programmes, as well as the possibility of funding for your studies.
We see doctoral students as important collaborators and we aim to connect you with senior executives and policymakers from around the world, offering opportunities for future learning and valuable connections. Watch our video about  postgraduate research in the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management  with academic supervisor,  Dr Brigitte Stangl , and her PhD student, Lori Hoy, discussing how they work together.

Frequently asked questions about doing a PhD

What you will study

Our PhD programme takes around three to four years of full-time study. You’ll take on a structured, supervised programme of scholarly research, leading to a thesis that makes an original contribution to the field and is suitable to be published in a series of high-quality, refereed journal articles.

You’ll be assigned two supervisors with expertise in your area; normally one will be an expert in your subject, and one who is an expert in methodology. Your supervisors will guide you through your PhD, from developing your project through to your analysis and writing your thesis. You’ll normally meet with your supervisor every four to six weeks.

There’s no formal teaching as part of your PhD programme, but you’ll benefit from a range of support and learning opportunities in addition to your supervision meetings. These include a tailored weekly programme of formal research training in research methodology and career development. You’ll have the chance to present and discuss your research at our weekly research seminars.

You’ll also be able to take any of our MSc modules and join our range of interactive workshops that run throughout the year, exploring topics such as personal effectiveness, information skills, presenting research and job skills. You’ll also be able to qualify as a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy by completing the Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching.

We encourage our students to attend international conferences and training courses. We can support your travel costs to these events.

Your final assessment will be based on the presentation of your research in a written thesis, which will be discussed in a viva examination with at least two examiners. You have the option of preparing your thesis as a monograph (one large volume in chapter form) or in publication format (including chapters written for publication), subject to the approval of your supervisors.

Research support

The professional development of postgraduate researchers is supported by the Doctoral College , which provides training in essential skills through its Researcher Development Programme of workshops, mentoring and coaching. A dedicated postgraduate careers and employability team will help you prepare for a successful career after the completion of your PhD.

Research themes

Competitiveness of the visitor economy.

Economic modelling and forecasting
Innovation, entrepreneurship, risk and uncertainty
Future of work and labour mobility
Visitor decision-making, behaviour and destination marketing.

Find out more about the Centre for Competitiveness of the Visitor Economy (COVE) .

Sustainability and wellbeing in the visitor economy

Sustainability evidence-based policy making
Industry’s acceptance of responsibility for sustainable development
Sustainable development and entrepreneurship
Sustainable and efficient transportation
Sustainability marketing, product design and communication.

Find out more about the  Centre for Sustainability and Wellbeing in the Visitor Economy (SWELL) .

Digital transformation in the visitor economy

Digital transformation in tourism, hospitality and events, including new media and consumer behaviour, new business models and disruptive innovation, transformation in business operations and performance
Smart systems in tourism, hospitality and events, including artificial intelligence and robotics, sensors and internet-of-things
Technology for social good in tourism, hospitality and events, including technology facilitating health and wellbeing, social isolation and loneliness, inclusion and accessibility
Data science and innovative methodologies in tourism, hospitality and events, including biometric research, data analytics and pattern recognition in big data.

Find out more about the  Centre for Digital Transformation in the Visitor Economy (DIGMY) .

Our academic staff

See a full list of all our academic staff within the School of Hospitality and Management.

Research centres

Research facilities.

You’ll be allocated your own office space and computer, and be given access to academic and business databases and a range of online research tools and resources.

Ikram Nur Muharam

I must say that I am very fortunate to have two supervisors who are not only experts in their fields, but also have warm personalities.

Pablo Pereira-Doel

The multiculturality at the University of Surrey is great and it is a very welcoming place. After living in London for several years, I really appreciate the quietness of Guildford, while being a stone’s throw away from the Surrey Hills.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a masters degree at a minimum of a distinction level in a relevant discipline from an approved university.

If you do not hold such a degree, you may be admitted, providing you hold a first-class (1st) bachelors degree from an approved university or a professional or other qualification deemed by the University to be appropriate.

International entry requirements by country

English language requirements.

IELTS Academic: 7.0 or above with a minimum of 6.5 in each component (or equivalent).

These are the English language qualifications and levels that we can accept.

If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses , designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.

Application requirements

Applicants are advised to contact potential supervisors before they submit an application via the website. Please refer to section two of our application guidance .

Research proposal

Before applying, please refer to our research proposal guidance for information on submitting a suitable research proposal.

After registration

Students are initially registered for a PhD with probationary status and, subject to satisfactory progress, subsequently confirmed as having PhD status.

Selection process

Selection is based on applicants:

Meeting the expected entry requirements
Being shortlisted through the application screening process
Completing a successful interview
Providing suitable references.

Student life

At Surrey we offer the best of both worlds – a friendly campus university, set in beautiful countryside with the convenience and social life of Guildford on your doorstep.

Start date: October 2024

Start date: January 2025

Start date: April 2025

Start date: July 2025

Annual fees will increase by 4% for each year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100 (subject to legal requirements).
Any start date other than September will attract a pro-rata fee for that year of entry (75 per cent for January, 50 per cent for April and 25 per cent for July).

Additional costs

There are additional costs that you can expect to incur when studying at Surrey.

A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.

Apply online

If you are applying for a studentship to work on a particular project, please provide details of the project instead of a research proposal.

Read our application guidance for further information on applying.

To apply online first select the course you'd like to apply for then log in.

1. Select your course

Select the course you wish to apply for.

To apply online sign in or create an account.

Code of practice for research degrees

Surrey’s postgraduate research code of practice sets out the University's policy and procedural framework relating to research degrees. The code defines a set of standard procedures and specific responsibilities covering the academic supervision, administration and assessment of research degrees for all faculties within the University.

Download the code of practice for research degrees (PDF) .

Terms and conditions

When you accept an offer to study at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to follow our policies and procedures , student regulations , and terms and conditions .

We provide these terms and conditions in two stages:

First when we make an offer.
Second when students accept their offer and register to study with us (registration terms and conditions will vary depending on your course and academic year).

View our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2023/24 academic year, as a guide on what to expect.

This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.

Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate, some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.

It is important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer .

Course location and contact details

Campus location

Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.

University of Surrey Admissions

University of Surrey Guildford Surrey GU2 7XH

PhD in Hospitality & Tourism Management

Concentrations
Newsletters

Students in Isenberg’s PhD program in hospitality and tourism management engage in research that furthers society’s understanding of the unique industry.

From uncovering the environmental, social and economic impacts of tourism to investigating theories and models of services marketing and management, students use their time at Isenberg to make powerful connections between ideas, introduce thoughtful and provoking analysis, and contribute scholarly research.

Message from the Coordinator

The hospitality and tourism industry lends itself to fascinating and revealing research about society, the economy and the marketplace. Our PhD program in Hotel and Tourism Management (HTM) gives students the time and resources to delve into the industry, to engage in rigorous research, and to publish their findings.

Our PhD graduates become top scholars, professors and researchers at the leading hospitality and tourism programs in the US and abroad. Our graduates are successful because our program offers:

One-on-one mentoring and advising by renowned faculty. Students will work closely with faculty on multiple research projects.
The opportunity to specialize in one focus area. Our concentrations include marketing/consumer behavior, leadership, information technology and social media, operational research and finance.
Real-world preparation for careers in academia. All candidates teach graduate-level classes at Isenberg and have 100% responsibility in their classrooms.

Additionally, students in our program also graduate with a PhD in Management, making them more marketable in the job field and more knowledgeable in the classroom.

While our program is rigorous and highly selective, our learning environment is collaborative and supportive. We welcome applicants who are self-motivated, committed, and independent initiators and team players.

Irem Onder Neuhofer Associate Professor and PhD Coordinator

Isenberg’s PhD in hospitality and tourism management is a full-time, residential program that prepares candidates for academic careers in hospitality and tourism. The program develops strong research skills that enable graduates to conduct and publish scholarly research with competence and confidence.

Students can study any area of interest that applies to hospitality and tourism and gain real-world teaching experience that allows them to excel in university teaching in their areas of interest.

Isenberg has a strong focus on research. Faculty are working in a wide variety of research domains, investigating such areas as:

Hotel and Destination Branding
Service Experience Management
Impact and Performance Studies in Tourism and Hospitality Operations
Quality-of-Life and Tourism and Hospitality Research
Sustainability in Tourism and Hospitality
Strategic Management and Finance
Revenue Management

HTM PhD Program Overview

Watch our video to hear about the program from the students and professors in this active teaching and research community.

Students generally complete a PhD in HTM within 4-5 years. Students must take core courses in theory and research methods, as well as electives and minor classes. In addition, our doctoral students must pass a qualifying and comprehensive examination. Students also teach at Isenberg. During the final years, students are responsible for creating and defending a dissertation.

Here's a sample of required HTM courses:

Foundations of Organizational Behavior and Theory
Research Design
Multivariate Analysis
Structural Equation Model
Seminar in Tourism Theory and Research
Seminar in Hospitality Research
Services Marketing/Management Research

YEAR 1: Coursework, including statistics, research methods, and theory courses, and research electives; Qualifying exam

YEAR 2: Coursework, including marketing and management courses, research electives and minor area courses; Comprehensive exam

YEAR 3: Additional coursework as needed; Development of dissertation proposal; Teaching

YEAR 4-5: Dissertation research

HTM Doctoral Students

Hospitality and Retail Management

Human Sciences

Hospitality & Retail Management Ph.D.

Doctor of Philosophy in Hospitality Administration

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Hospitality, Tourism, and Retail Management

48 Credit Hours

Campus Lubbock, TX

GRE Required

Earn your ph.d. in hospitality, tourism, and retail management that puts you on the tenure track..

Texas Tech University offers one of the only hospitality, tourism, and retail management (in-person) doctoral degrees in the country that allows you the flexibility to earn your doctorate in one of three disciplines. Your diploma will provide specific detail regarding which concentration you pursued for your degree. No other program provides you with better preparation for an academic career than Texas Tech University.

Widely recognized as one of the nation's top hospitality, retail, and tourism programs, Texas Tech continues to produce high-quality university faculty who lead, teach, and conduct research around the world.

Our Ph.D. in tourism, hospitality, and retail management provides a strong foundation for your career by providing you with opportunities to:

Showcase your academic talent and success. You will receive recognition for your work through independent research that culminates in journal publications and conference presentations.
Work with accomplished faculty. Texas Tech's hospitality, retail management, and tourism faculty includes content experts with widespread academic and industry connections.
Develop a global perspective. Our hospitality, tourism, and retail management Ph.D. program draws students and faculty from all over the world, including Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
Develop exceptional research skills. The doctoral program in hospitality, tourism, and retail management at Texas Tech provides coursework to enhance your skills in both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Advanced coursework in theory, literature, and statistics will provide the foundation you need to be a top scholar.
Develop outstanding teaching skills . Texas Tech's Ph.D. program stands out for its curriculum development and educator training. You will receive advanced teaching experience as part of your doctoral education, with strong mentorship from seasoned faculty who have many years of teaching experience.
Work with premier research centers and institutes. Only students at Texas Tech have the opportunity to work with GUEST and the Texas Wine Marketing Research Institute (TWMRI). GUEST focuses globally and locally on experiential and sustainable tourism and has worked in the U.S., Costa Rica, and Jordan. TWMRI works to advance the wine industry in the state of Texas and has connections with other wine centers and institutes across the U.S. and the globe. GUEST and TWMRI provide doctoral students with access to outstanding research opportunities.

Texas Tech Campus Ph.D. Hospitality Administration

Our hospitality, tourism, and retail management Ph.D. program enables you to build comprehensive skills and an impressive resume. You will be qualified for faculty positions at leading universities, with excellent opportunities for promotion to leadership positions and administrative roles such as dean.

Hospitality, Tourism, and Retail Management Ph.D. Objectives and Outcomes

The Hospitality, Tourism, and Retail doctoral degree prepares you for faculty positions in higher education, as well as leadership positions in the industry.

Hospitality Administration: Concentrate on management and marketing research associated with hospitality including; hotels, restaurants, institutional management, dynamic pricing, guest experience, and technology.

Tourism Administration: Concentrate on management and marketing research associated with tourism including; group and event management, experiential and wine tourism, and place branding.

Retail Management: Concentrate on management and marketing research associated with retailing including; branding, shopper and consumer behavior, pricing, service and brandscape.

Cost By Program

Acquire an in-depth understanding of the theory, concepts, and practices in the fields of hospitality, tourism, and retail management.
Explore key issues facing these industries, current research, and practices in hospitality, tourism and retail management.
Apply concepts and theories to solve theoretical and practical problems related to hospitality, tourism and retail management.
Communicate research findings for both academic and professional audiences.
Develop an aptitude for and expertise in a variety of research and statistical techniques important for research in the academy and the hospitality, tourism and retail industries industry.
Value the integration of your research with teaching to provide your students with advanced understanding.
Analyze the global, social, multicultural, and environmental issues facing the hospitality, tourism and retail professionals in academic and industry settings.
Value involvement in professional organizations supporting hospitality, tourism and retail disciplines.

Request Information Online

Contact the phd program director:.

Name: Dr. Jessica Yuan
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (806) 834-8446
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Join our team
The UOC in Latin America

Presentation

Programme of study

Academic team

Call for applications, request access, doctoral programme in tourism (interuniversity: uma, ua, uca, ucm, uex, ull, nebrija, uoc, urjc, usc, us, uvigo).

The Doctorate Programme in Tourism is part of the REDINTUR cooperation framework, which is made up of 19 Universities with postgraduate studies in Tourism, which has been described in the 2012-2015 National Plan for Tourism of the Ministry of Energy, Industry and Tourism, within the Talent and Entrepreneurship section as a strength, highlighting its operation and training programmes in tourism.

It is the result of the coordination and cooperation between research teams with a track record in the scientific-social knowledge of tourism and in accredited training programmes.

Under this framework, the lines of research of the different groups of the aforementioned Universities have been unified and coordinated with the aim of collaborating and promoting training and research in Tourism in Spain.

Broadly speaking, we can indicate the objectives and commitments that have been set:

To contribute to the training of doctors and researchers in Tourism in order to ...
To contribute to the training of doctors and researchers in Tourism in order to promote the sustainable growth of a key activity in our social and economic environment.
To promote research in order to carry out efficient management of information that allows management to be adapted to the profile of the tourist consumer.
To develop analysis and research techniques to adapt to the evolution of the information society.
To favour cooperation between universities and the mobility of students and teaching staff.
To collaborate in innovation and competitiveness in the field of tourism.
To develop a complete and complex academic curriculum model that is committed to the multidisciplinary nature of tourism education at the heart of the University.
Full adaptation of the level of university tourism studies in our country to that existing within the European Union and other neighbouring countries, culminating the process initiated with the integration into the university system in 1996.
To achieve the standardisation of higher studies in tourism with those corresponding to other areas of training in other economic and professional sectors.
Development of specialisation profiles in areas that allow us to take into account the needs for innovation required by business and tourist destination management.

Official qualification

The UOC's Doctoral Programme of Tourism (interuniversity: UMA, UA, UCA, UCM, UEX, ULL, Nebrija, UOC, URJC, USC, US, UVIGO) is a programme that has been approved by the Spanish Universities Council, and its implementation has been authorized by the Government of Catalonia, in accordance with current legislation . You can check the program's quality data at this link .

The UOC's doctoral programmes have full academic validity throughout Spain; where such is the intention, they are qualifications to perform regulated professions, in accordance with the regulations applicable in each case.

The certificates for these programmes are issued together with a Diploma Supplement (DS), providing details of...

The certificates for these programmes are issued together with a Diploma Supplement (DS), providing details of what the student studied, their results, the professional competencies obtained and the qualification's level in the Spanish higher education system; the aim of this is to facilitate recognition of the qualification and promote students' and graduates' mobility within the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).

In other countries, the validity of the official university qualifications issued by the UOC will depend on each specific country's education laws.

Title of Degree - Doctoral Programme in Tourism, RUCT Code: 5601390, ISCED Code 1 Social and Behavioural Sciences, ISCED Code 2 Travel, Tourism and Leisure.

25 Sep 2024

Admission: March 5, 2024

Languages: Spanish, Catalan, English

Official qualification programme

Fully online method

World's first ever online university

Personalized guidance and support

1st Spanish-language online MBA in the world

Programme quality

The quality of this degree programme is endorsed by the Catalan University Quality Assurance Agency (AQU), which ensures that rigorous standards, including those demanded by the EHEA, are met.

AQU quality seal

Catalan University Quality Assurance Agency

Together with:

Training supplements
Research Courses

Itinerary and duration

Lines of investigation

Study plan. Competences and skills

The aim of this training is to acquire and develop the following skills:

Dealing with contexts in which there is little specific information.
Find the key questions to be answered to solve a complex problem.
Design, create, develop and undertake novel and innovative projects in their field of knowledge.
Work both in a team and autonomously in an international or multidisciplinary context.
Integrate knowledge, deal with complexity and formulate judgements with limited information.
Intellectual criticism and defence of solutions.
Ability to conceive, design or create, implement and adopt a substantial process of research or creation.
Ability to contribute to the expansion of the frontiers of knowledge through original research.
Ability to carry out critical analysis and evaluation and synthesis of new and complex ideas.
Ability to communicate with the academic and scientific community and with society ...
Ability to communicate with the academic and scientific community and with society in general about their fields of knowledge in the modes and languages used by the academic community. knowledge in the modes and languages commonly used in their international scientific community.
Ability to promote, in academic and professional contexts, scientific, technological, social, artistic or cultural progress within a society based on the cultural progress within a knowledge-based society.

Deposit and thesis oral defense

On completion of the doctoral thesis, the PhD student must apply to the programme's Academic Committee for authorisation to deposit the thesis.

The application must be accompanied by the following documents:

Favourable report from the thesis supervisor and, if applicable, from the members of the thesis committee, on the authorisation of the deposit.
The document of activities that the doctoral student has carried out.
A summary of the doctoral thesis of a maximum of 4,000 characters, written in Catalan, Spanish and English. If the doctoral thesis is written in a language other than these in accordance with article 26, a summary in this language must also be submitted.
A copy of the doctoral thesis, the student's curriculum vitae and the activities document, in electronic format.

Two doctors who are experts in the field of the doctoral thesis will produce independent and anonymous reports on the thesis.

Once the above reports have been requested, the thesis supervisor will be asked to propose between five and seven doctors from five different universities or institutions who may form part of the panel responsible for judging the thesis. The academic committee of the programme will proceed, in view of the documentation received, to authorise or not the doctoral thesis defense.

Once the defense has been authorised, the chair of the examining board sets the date for the reading and defence of the thesis and the Doctoral School convenes the public defence of the thesis, which consists of the presentation and defence of the research work prepared by the PhD student to the members of the examining board.

The members of the examining board ask the PhD student any questions they consider appropriate. Likewise, persons holding a doctoral degree who are present at the public event may ask questions at the time and in the manner indicated by the chair of the panel.

After the reading and defence of the thesis, each member of the examining board gives a written assessment of the thesis and its defence and issues a written report with the overall grade awarded to the thesis according to the following scale: "not pass", "pass", "good" or "excellent".

Approval of the tesis

Quality criteria for the defence of doctoral theses on the Joint Doctoral Programme in Tourism

The (joint) Doctoral Programme in Tourism sets out minimum quality criteria to be met by a doctoral thesis in order for the evaluation and defence process to begin. Before a doctoral thesis can be accepted, the work of the doctoral student must be assessed based on objective quality criteria. In particular, before setting in motion the process for organizing the defence, the doctoral student must have published research or partial results from the thesis in well-established journals or submitted them at conferences of recognized importance in their field.

For this purpose, a points system has been established for publications, in which the doctoral student must obtain at least one point in order for the doctoral thesis to be accepted.

The points system is as follows:

a) 1 point for each article published in a journal included in the following citation databases:

- Journal Citation Reports (JCR): Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) and Science Citation Index (SCIE) - Scopus, impact index in SCImago Journal & Country Rank (SJR) - Arts and Humanities Citation Index (AHCI)

b) 0.5 points for each publication in the following databases and review systems:

- Spanish scientific journals with the FECYT Quality Seal - Emerging Sources Citation Index (WOS) - ERIH-PLUS, European Reference Index for the Humanities - Books and chapters of research works published by publishers of recognized prestige in their research field and which appear in prominent positions in the Scholarly Publishers Indicators (SPI) ranking.

c) 0.25 points for each publication in a journal from the following databases and repertoires:

- Latindex catalogue (scientific journals from Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain and Portugal), with a minimum of 28 criteria. - H Index of Spanish Journals of Social and Legal Sciences (Google Scholar Metrics). - Other national and international databases: Scielo, Redalyc, Qualis. - Works recorded in the proceedings of international conferences, provided that the international scope is explicitly stated in the conference title.

In any event, publications in journals and conferences with no system of external peer review will not be considered.

The requirements for contributions submitted in support of a thesis are:

a) These contributions must have been submitted, published or accepted for publication after the start of the doctoral studies.

b) The contributions must state the name of the university at which the student is doing the doctoral programme. This statement will be made through the affiliation of the supervisor and/or the doctoral student.

c) The doctoral candidate must be listed as the first or second author of all the contributions. Exceptionally, the Academic Committee of the Joint Programme in Tourism may allow the doctoral candidate, in a contribution in support of a thesis, to appear in a position after second, subject to the justifications submitted.

d) A contribution by two or more authors may only be used in support of one thesis.

Quality criteria for the defence of doctoral theses as a compendium of publications in the Joint Doctoral Programme in Tourism

Before accepting a doctoral thesis for its defence, the work of the student will be assessed on the basis of quality criteria. In particular, for the defence of the doctoral thesis as a compendium, the student must include at least three publications that meet the quality criteria for the defence of doctoral theses on the doctoral programme, one of which must be in a journal indexed in JCR, one in a journal of those considered in the databases and repertoires of group A of those listed below, and a third from group B of those listed below. The groups classifying the publications that the doctoral student should have made are as follows:

GROUP A journals

· Journal Citation Report (SCI/SSCI) - Scopus · SCImago Journal & Country Rank (SJR) · Arts and Humanities Citation Index (AHCI)

GROUP B journals - ERIH European Reference Index for the Humanities of the European Science Foundation - Spanish scientific journals with the FECYT Quality Seal - Emerging Sources Citation Index

- These contributions must have been submitted, published or accepted for publication after the start of the doctoral studies. - The contributions must state the name of the university at which the student is doing the doctoral programme. This statement will be made through the affiliation of the supervisor and/or the doctoral student.

- The doctoral candidate must be listed as the first or second author of all the contributions. In truly exceptional cases, the Academic Committee of the Joint Programme in Tourism may allow the doctoral candidate, in a contribution in support of a thesis, to appear in a position after second, subject to the justifications submitted. A contribution by two or more authors may only be used in support of one thesis.

Training complements and activities

All courses are subject to availability

Complementary subjects

Temes d'Inv. avançada turisme sostenible TIC (Català / Español) Complementary

Sostenibilitat i Turisme (Català / Español) Complementary

Mètodes d'investigació qualitativa (Català / Español) Complementary

Mètodes d'investigació quantitativa (Català / Español) Complementary

Library Workshops

Bibliographic reference management (English) Mandatory

Search for academic information (English) Highly recom.

Where to publish: How to identify leading journals? (English) Highly recom.

Open access (English) Highly recom.

Doctorate subjects

Research Design for Social Sciences (English) Highly recom.

Advanced Quantitative Met. in Knowledge Society (English) Highly recom.

Advanced Qualitative Met. in Knowledge...

Advanced Qualitative Met. in Knowledge Society (English) Highly recom.

Research, transfer, and entrepreneurship courses

Academic Presentations (English) Mandatory

Academic Writing (English) Highly recom.

Entrepreneurship for Researchers (English) Mandatory

Int. to patents and intellectual property protection (English) Highly recommended.

Responsible Research & Innovation (RRI) (English) Recommended

Research and gender (English)

Recommended

Ability to communicate with the academic and scientific community and with society...

The maximum duration of the programme is three years if pursued full-time and five years if part-time, counting from the doctoral candidate's admission to the programme until presentation of the doctoral thesis. Calculation of this period does not include parental leave or extended sick leave the Academic Commission of the programme considers justified.

Permanence regulations

The following are causes for definitive withdrawal from the doctoral programme:

The expiry of the periods of stay and, if applicable, of any extensions that may have been authorised.
The refusal of the requested extensions, in accordance with Article 21.2.
Failure to formalise enrolment within the deadlines and in the manner established by the Doctoral School without having requested temporary withdrawal.
When the acceptance of the research plan has not been requested within the period established by the Doctoral School.
Having obtained two negative evaluations in the research plan and/or in the annual activities document, in accordance with article 36.3 of these regulations.
When two negative evaluations have been obtained in the research plan and/or in the annual activities document, in accordance with article 36.3 of these regulations.
When the documents established by the programme's academic committee for the annual assessment and monitoring of the research plan have not been submitted within the established deadline.
Those that may arise from the corresponding disciplinary sanctions, in accordance with the UOC's Regulations on Rights and Duties.

Control procedures

The completion of the activities proposed in the training plan at the beginning of the doctoral programme and the submission of the research plan at the end of the first year and in subsequent years of the activities document will be the mechanisms for monitoring the progress of the research, always under the supervision of the thesis supervisor.

The assignment of the thesis supervisor is made by the programme's Academic Committee during the first three months after enrolment. The thesis supervisor is ultimately responsible for conducting all the doctoral student's research work.

Research lines

Doctoral school management, programme director, supervisors.

PhD in Computer Engineering (UAB). He teaches courses on artificial intelligence, infographic, computer vision and business intelligence. He is currently the director of the UOC Doctoral School. His research focuses on the study of computer vision algorithms dedicated to the analysis of human behaviour, facial perception and object and scene recognition.

Alba Colombo Vilarrasa

Ana isabel jimenez zarco.

PhD in Economic and Business Sciences from the University of Castilla-La Mancha and a postgraduate diploma in the Construction of Models in Ecology and Natural Resource Management from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. She received an award for her doctoral thesis from the Instituto de Estudios Económicos (IEE) in Madrid.

Francesc Gonzalez Reverte

Francesc xavier medina luque, hug march corbella.

PhD of Environmental Sciences from the Autonomous Universitat de Barcelona (UB). Degree in Environmental Sciences from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB). His research activity pivots around political ecology and economics and in the critical analysis of new paradigms of sustainability, with special emphasis on water management, sustainability, urban resilience, and in strategies in Smart Cities.

Joan Miquel Gomis Lopez

Julie wilson.

Doctor in Human Geography from the University of West of England, Bristol, United Kingdom.

Lluis Alfons Garay Tamajon

Mònica cerdán chiscano, pablo diaz luque, pere suau sanchez, ramon ribera fumaz, soledad morales pérez.

Doctor in Human Geography from the Autonomous University of Barcelona. Master in Geography from the same university and postgraduate in Agent of International Development from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia and SETEM (1998).

More than 25 years' experience in e-learning

In 1995 the UOC was launched as the world's first fully online university . More than 25 years later, we are still pioneers in digital education.

Our eLearning Innovation Center oversees the evolution of our educational model, to ensure unique, high-quality, connected and networked learning experiences.

Times Higher Education

According to the Young University Rankings, published by Times Higher Education, we are fourth best in Spain.

Shanghai Ranking

We are among the world's top 150 universities for communication and the top 200 for education.

U-Multirank

Excellent ratings in knowledge transfer, regional engagement, and teaching and learning.

Access requirements

Admission requirements
Access documentation
Evaluation criteria

General requirements

To be eligible for the doctoral program, candidates must meet the general requirements of the University and those specific to the programme.

First, prospective candidates must demonstrate that they meet one of the following requirements:

Holding an official Spanish bachelor's degree, or equivalent, and a university master's degree, or equivalent, and having completed at least 300 ECTS credits in all these two programmes.
Holding an official Spanish university degree, corresponding to previous regulations of university teaching, and having completed a minimum of 300 ECTS credits in all official university studies, of which at least 60 must be at master's level.
Holding an official university degree from a country that is part of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) that qualifies for entrance to official master's degree courses, and having completed a minimum of 300 ECTS credits in all official university studies, of which at l...
Holding an official university degree from a country that is part of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) that qualifies for entrance to official master's degree courses, and having completed a minimum of 300 ECTS credits in all official university studies, of which at least 60 must be at master's level.
Holding an official Spanish graduate degree, the duration of which, in accordance with Community law, is at least 300 ECTS credits. In this case, students must take the specific training components on a compulsory basis, unless the corresponding doctoral programme includes research training credits equivalent in formative value to research credits from master's degrees.
Holding an official university degree in which, after obtaining a training place in the corresponding test of access to specialised health training places, they have completed at least two years of training in a programme to obtain an official degree in one of the specialities of the health sciences with a positive evaluation.
Holding an official university degree from a country outside the EHEA, without the need for official validation, after verifying that the level of training is equivalent to that of official university master's degrees and that it allows access to doctoral studies in the country issuing the degree.
Holding a Spanish doctoral degree obtained in accordance with previous university regulations.
Holding a degree in architecture or engineering with an advanced studies diploma, obtained in accordance with the provisions of Royal Decree 778/1998, of 30 April, or having achieved the research sufficiency regulated in Royal Decree 185/1985, of 23 January.
Holding an official university degree that has obtained correspondence with level three of the Spanish Framework of Qualifications for Higher Education (MECES), in accordance with the procedure established in Royal Decree 967/2014, of 21 November, establishing the requirements and procedure for officially validating and declaring equivalence with regard to the official university degree and academic level and for validating foreign higher education studies, and the procedure for determining correspondence with the MECES levels of the official titles of architect, engineer, graduate, technical architect, technical engineer and diploma holder.

Prospective candidates who have not earned the credits for initiation to research in a university master¿s programme shall be obliged to undertake the complementary training determined in each case by the programme.

Admission to the doctoral programme of prospective candidates who hold only an official undergraduate degree which under EU law has a duration of 300 ECTS and who have not completed the courses and earned the credits for initiation to research in a university master's programme will be contingent on successful completion of the complementary training corresponding to the module, itinerary or initiation to research courses for the corresponding training period.

The programme's working languages are Catalan, Spanish or English. However, the university establishes as an entry requirement to demonstrate a level equivalent to B1 or upper-intermediate level of independent user of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The level of English of the students who do not have an English level certification will be assessed by the Selection and Monitoring Committee during the course of the interview.

According to Decree 822/202, of September 28, students with a disability equal to 33% or more have a reservation of 5% of the places.

Admission criteria

The general criterion for admission is established as the presentation of a proposal for a Doctoral Thesis Project, related to one of the research teams

existing in the Doctoral Program, in which the objectives, justification for adherence to a research line, methodology, expected results, and

necessary resources for its preparation, proposed tutor and thesis director, and report of the proposed thesis director are described.

Weighted access criteria:

• Academic record of the degree for access to the doctoral program 30%.

• Academic record of the master's degree for access to the doctoral program 40%.

• The existence of letters of presentation by university professors or other research institutions, who have direct knowledge of the

applicant's ability and competence (5%)

o If the endorsement letter is related to the thesis proposal (5%)

o If the endorsement letter is not related to the thesis proposal (0...

o If the endorsement letter is not related to the thesis proposal (0.25%)

• Research experience or other merits related to research (20%)

o Publications, communications at congresses, conferences, collaborations, studies, stays related to the project or proposed research lines

up to 2 points.

• Accredited knowledge of a foreign language commonly used in the scientific community to which the doctoral program belongs (5%). According to the

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, the minimum required level will be B2.

o English Level C2 (0.5 points)

o English Level C1 (0.25 points)

o Another Language (0.25 points always above B2)

This programme does not require a specific level of English, although it is necessary to have a minimum knowledge of the language in order to thoroughly understand scientific articles, interact fluently and naturally and produce scientific texts.

In order to receive 5% of the weighted points of the admission process referring to the accreditation of knowledge of English (a foreign language commonly used in the scientific community), you must have a minimum level of B1 in this language.

If you apply for a UOC grant, you must accredit a level equal to or higher than B2 from the time of application. For other grants, financial aid or research contracts, please consult the terms and conditions and requirements for each case (level of English and part-time or full-time format).

Admission documents

All candidates applying for admission to the UOC's doctoral programme in Tourism must provide the following documents: - A photocopy of your national identity document (DNI), foreigner identification number (NIE) or passport. - A letter of motivation detailing your specific reasons for applying for this programme and describing your research interests. - A letter of endorsement stating the name of the researcher who endorses your project. - Your research or pre-project proposal .<...

Initial justification and fit with the line of research; the candidate must explain how the research idea fits with the line of research chosen.
Focus of the research issue or question.
Outline of the methodology.
Expected outcomes (an approximate idea).

June 8, 2024: Start of the call for access and admission to doctoral programs.

July 8, 2024: End of the deadline for the call for access and admission to doctoral programs.

September 16, 2024: Resolution and final publication of the candidacies admitted. The lists will be published on the Doctoral School website .

September 16 - 25, 2024: Start of enrollment for the 2024-25 academic year.

September 26, 2024:

September 26, 2024: Start of teaching for the 2024-25 academic year.

Apply for the Welcome and Information Service

Apply for the Welcome and Information Service is a free, no-obligation procedure that provides you with a user name and password that will allow you to enter the UOC's Virtual Campus, from where you will be able to:

1. Contact experts who will help you settle any doubts you may have about applying. 2. Consult the Campus Secretary's Office for information about the programme of studies, enrolment prices, documentation, etc.

Before requesting access, check that you meet the requirements for the programme you want to be admitted to.

Access form

On the access form, you must give your personal details and the educational level you have attained.

Access Documentation

You will find a list of the documentation you need when you request access and can consult the Campus Secretary's Office.

If you are eligible for any of the discounts stated in the Price Decree, you will have to submit the appropriate documentation, following the instructions given by the virtual Secretary's Office.

Access the Campus and contact the researcher

Virtual campus

After you have requested access, you will receive a user name and password that will allow you to access the Virtual Campus, where you will find all the information and resources you may need.

You will find the information to contact the lead researcher in the "research lines" section. The researcher can provide support for preparing your application and will be your sponsor, if he or she agrees. Once you have been admitted to the programme, he or she will advise and guide you in choosing courses, in accordance with your prior academic background, your interests and the amount of time you have.

Virtual Secretary's Office

There is a Procedure on the Campus where you can consult and manage all academic matters, such as viewing the programme of studies, payment options or the discounts available.

Apply for admission

You can complete the admission form the virtual campus Procedures / Doctoral programme admission documentation , where you will have to give your academic details, whether you want to apply for a grant and the research line you are interested in.

You must submit an enrolment proposal after having chosen the courses you want to follow during the semester, which your tutor will analyse so that you can complete enrolment with his or her counselling. It is a step prior to completing enrolment.

Send the digital documentation

Having completed the previous step, you must attach the documentation in the same section. You can see which documentation you must attach in the corresponding section within Procedures / Doctoral programme admission documentation.

When you have completed all the steps, the doctoral programme's academic committee will assess the applications that have been submitted.

If you pass the first phase of the admission process, you will receive notification confirming that you have entered the second phase and a telephone interview will be scheduled.

If you pass the second phase of the admission process, you will receive notification to confirm that you have been admitted. You will have a maximum of one month (counting from the admission notification) to confirm your acceptance of the place on the doctoral programme; if this confirmation from you is not received, you will not be admitted to the programme.

It is at this point that you will be able to complete enrolment, choosing your preferred payment option from among those available. If you are eligible for any of the discounts stated in the Price Decree, you will have to submit the appropriate documentation, following the instructions given by the virtual Secretary's Office.

Remember that once you have enrolled, you will have ten days to send the admission documentation.

The Government of Catalonia establishes the public prices for credits and other academic services charged by public universities in Catalonia and the UOC. You can consult the prices in Decree 125/2023 , of June 28th.

The fees will be those applicable when enrolment is completed. Subject to annual revisions.

This programme belongs to an academic pathway. Find out about the studies with which you can achieve your goals.

Home > USC Columbia > Hospitality, Retail and Sports Management, College of > Hospitality and Tourism Management > Hospitality and Tourism Management Theses and Dissertations

Hospitality and Tourism Management Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2023 2023.

Platform of Growth: An Analysis of Earnings and Social Media Engagement Among Esports Athletes , Colleen Marie Dibble

Capturing Visuals in Hospitality: A Multi-Dimensional Exploration of Photographs in Interdisciplinary Research , Ningqiao Li

Employee Experience in the U.S. Casual Dining Restaurant Industry: Conceptualization, Scale Development, and Effects on Employees’ Retention , Xiao Ma

Effects of AI Voice Assistants’ Messages on Pro-environmnetal Consumer Behavior: Message Content and Voice Attributes , Somang Min

An Examination of Celebrity Product Involvement and Endorsement Effectiveness , Eric Nichols

Southeastern Conference (SEC) International Student-Athlete (ISA) Career Transitions - A Cultural Intelligence (CQ) Perspective , Tsu-Lin Yeh

The Impact of Interactivity on Information Processing for Virtual Tourist Destinations , Hongxiao Yu

Decoding Trustworthiness and Helpfulness of Online Reviews In Hospitality: A Reader-Centric Perspective , Xiaonan Zhang

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Customer Touchpoint: Conceptualization, Index Development, and Nomological Validation , Hyunsu Kim

“No Tits in the Pits!”: An Exploratory Analysis of the Experiences of Female Decision Makers in Motorsports in the United States , Alexia Pedo Lopes

Affective Risk Perceptions Toward Travel in a COVID Era: Policy and State Political Influences , Chloe Riley

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

“The Lifeblood of College Sports”: The NCAA’s Dominant Institutional Logic and the Byproducts of an (Over)emphasis on Recruiting , Chris Corr

Customers’ Acceptance of Automated Hotel , Jianhong Feng

Effects of Information Exposure, Emotions, and Self-Efficacy On Risk Perception and Travel Intention During the COVID-19 Pandemic , Chunsheng Jin

Positioning Customer Service Through Customer Journey Mapping in Service Consumption and Recovery , Dan Jin

Does the Tendency of Loss Aversion Depend On The Level of Competition? Evidence From Multilevel Esports Tournaments , Zeqing Mao

The Impact of Social Media Account Types on Travel Intention , Nuri Seo

Technology Experience: Measurement Development and Validation , Hyejo Hailey Shin

Why Do Tourists Accept Lodging Through Accommodation Sharing Platforms? Model Development and Model Comparison , Ge Zhu

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

The Downside of National Team Identity: A Model to Measure Negative Outcomes of Team Identity , Fei Gao

Newcomer Student-Athlete Perceptions of Coaches’ Socialization Strategies: Scale Development , Evelyn Su Jara-Pazmino

Comparing the Success of Official Sponsors and Ambush Marketers: An Event Study Analysis of Brazil Following the 2014 Fifa World Cup and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympic Games , Timothy Koba

The Impact of Hotel Service Robot Appearance and Service Attributes on Customer Experience , Chuhan Thomsen

The Economic Impact of Tennis in South Carolina , Xue Zhang

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

The Importance of Twitter to Destination Marketing Organizations , Tatiana Allgeyer

Finding the Perfect Match: Dimension Analysis and Development of the External Sponsorship Congruence Scale , Kelly Evans

Premium Seating in College Athletics: Trends of Today and the Future , Kendra Holaday

“WE NEED DAWGS!”: Narrative Construction of Athletic Identity Among Black High School Football Players , Victor Dion Kidd

Measuring Long-Term Advertising Effects in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry , Rui Qi

Selling Rooms and Making Money in the Lodging Industry: Analyzing the Effects of RevPAR and GOPPAR Together , Thomas Rogers

Investigating Managerial Priority of Environmental Inputs and Outputs in Public Assembly Venues , Walker Ross

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

College Students and Corporate Social Responsibility: An Examination of Corporate-Social Responsible Behavior in College Athletics From the Students’ Perspective , R. Jacob Gilbert

An Analysis Of Perceptions Of Restaurant Authenticity At Food Tourism Destinations In The Southeastern U.S , Jamie A. Levitt

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

Motivation To Play Esports: Case of League of Legends , Yaoyao Sun

Theme Park Demand, Theme Park Attractiveness, and Visitors’ Theme Park Choices , Yingsha Zhang

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

An Examination Of Destination Choice Behavior Using Meme Maps, Images and Decision Making Styles , Hilmi Atahan Atadil

Memorable Dining Experiences: Formative Index And Model Development , Yang Cao

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

The Influence of Warmth and Competence Perceptions on Employees’ Attitudinal and Behavioral Responses in Casual Dining Restaurants , Diego Riva Humbert Bufquin

Media Effect on Resident Attitude Toward Hosting the Olympic Games: A Cross-National Study Between China and the USA , Qiulin Lu

Self-Determination Theory and Wellness Tourism: How Do Wellness Facilities Contribute to Wellbeing? , Karen I. Thal

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Understanding Destination Choice from a Cultural Distance Perspective , Hongbo Liu

Revisiting Gender Constraints and Benefits in Leisure Tourism: Man-Up, It’s Time to Travel Like a Woman , Holly L. Rabin

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

Responding to Tripadvisor: How Hotel Responses to Negative Online Reviews Effect Hotel Image, Intent to Stay, and Intent to Return , Tiffany Avant

An Analysis of The Possibilities of Applying The North American Management Model to Most Large-Scale Sports Facilities in China , XI LI

Examining Long-Haul Chinese Outbound Tourists' Shopping Intentions , Pei Zhang

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

Is the Current United States Tennis Association's Adult League System Restrictive? , Edward Horne

Manager Training In the Hotel Environment and Its Effect On Employee Turnover Intentions , Kristin Marie Malek

Theses/Dissertations from 2011 2011

Examining Japanese tourists' U.S.-Bound Travel Constraints , Lin He

Theses/Dissertations from 2010 2010

Hotel Guests' Intentions to Choose Green Hotels , Amy Elizabeth Jackson

Green Inside and Out: Case Study On Green Events In Large Public Assembly Facilities , Peyton Jeter

Theses/Dissertations from 2009 2009

Motivations and Constraints of Chinese Outbound tourists: A Case Study , Chengting Lai

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Hospitality, Tourism and Events Management

MPhil or PhD

Find a course

Start dates.

January 2024 / June 2024

Application deadline

Applications for international candidates must be received in full by:

31 May 2024 (for September 2024 entry)
30 September 2024 (for January 2025 entry)
31 January 2025 (for June 2025 entry)

Applications for home and distance learning candidates must be received in full by:

30 June 2024 (for September 2024 entry) - only entry for Doctor of Coaching & Mentoring
31 September 2024 (for January 2025 entry)
28 February 2025 (for June 2025 entry)

Distance learning

Course length

Full time: minimum 3 years

Part time: minimum 4 years

Oxford Brookes Business School

Funding status

Self-funded

Attend an open day or webinar

Write your research proposal

Apply direct

Oxford Brookes has a well-established tradition of research in hospitality, tourism and events and is an internationally recognised centre of excellence in these fields. Our research in hospitality, tourism and events encompasses work on sustainable planning and development; experience design and customer experience management; organizational behaviour; digital marketing; revenue and financial management; strategy; entrepreneurship; consumer behaviour; stakeholder engagement and social impacts. Our colleagues working in these fields bring a range of disciplinary expertise, and our research promotes responsible business practice, while seeking to create positive impacts.

If you study for a PhD in Hospitality, Tourism and Events, you will normally be linked to either the Centre of Business Society and Global Challenges (BSGC) or Oxford Regions Innovation, Enterprise Lab (ORIEL) depending on your chosen topic, but we also maintain strong links with colleagues working in the International Centre for Coaching and Mentoring Studies (ICCAMS) .

Four students sat around a table talking

Degree routes

All students enrol as probationer research students. The degree for which you register will depend on your academic qualifications and research experience. During the first year you will formally register your research proposal for one of the below routes.

If you undertake an MPhil you will:

critically investigate and evaluate an approved topic
demonstrate understanding of research methods appropriate to the chosen field
present and defend a substantial thesis by oral examination.

Thesis: 50,000 words

Length of study: Full-time: 2-3 years. Part-time: 3-4 years.

The criteria for a PhD are similar to those for an MPhil, with the key difference that:

the research carried out will result in an independent and original contribution to knowledge.

Thesis: 100,000 words

Length of study: Full-time: 3-4 years. Part-time: 4-6 years.

Why Oxford Brookes University?

You will benefit from:

a supervisory team of two to three supervisors who can provide the best combination of expertise to support your work
training courses in research methods provided by the Business School and wider University
regular seminars and learning activities at department, school and university level
experience of presenting work to different audiences
opportunities to network and discuss your work with staff and fellow students.
engage with our entrepreneurs in residence and visiting entrepreneurs
Work with local businesses
collaborative opportunities, including receiving industrial funding and sponsorship.

You will be supported in developing and sharing your expertise through:

opportunities to present at internal seminars and conferences
dupport in attending, and ultimately presenting at external conferences (some financial assistance is available)
training as an Associate Lecturer and the opportunity to engage in teaching activity on appropriate modules offered by the Business School.

Learning and assessment

While every candidate’s exact experience will vary according to their particular discipline, topic and methodology, there are a number of common elements that all students will undertake:

critically investigating and evaluating an approved topic
undertaking an analytical review of the existing literature in your topic area to set the theoretical context for your work and help demonstrate the gap in knowledge you will address
developing and then implementing a rigorous and appropriate methodology for researching your topic
demonstrating that your research conforms to all relevant ethical codes of practice
extensive primary field research, analysis and evaluation.

Your progression will be monitored through an annual process undertaken at the end of each academic year, and through two key progression points after approximately six months and eighteen months of study respectively.

Janrapee Kemthong

An investigation of stakeholder relationship patterns in the planning process of cultural event tourism (CET)

View profile

Zhihao Chen

Self-drive tourist's spatial behaviour and associated decision-making process in context of Chinese market

Social connectedness: How commercial senior living facilities help enhance older adults’ social well-being through social activities in China

Pathaithip Gun-Ari

Political risks and international hotel expansion decision making: a strategic framework for risk optimisation

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Tourism and Hospitality Dissertation Topics Ideas

Are you ready to embark on an exhilarating academic journey delving into Tourism Dissertation Topics? Selecting the perfect topic can seem daunting but fear not! With the boundless opportunities within the realm of tourism, crafting your dissertation can be an exciting endeavor. Tourism research topics encompass a diverse array of captivating subjects, ranging from the […]

Tourism research topics encompass a diverse array of captivating subjects, ranging from the exploration of distinct hospitality styles to the immersion in delectable cuisines, cultural customs, accommodations, travel services, entertainment hubs, and vibrant musical events. With such rich content, students can draw inspiration from their own travel experiences, infusing their research with personal anecdotes and insights.

Consider the staggering growth of international tourist arrivals, as evidenced by the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, which surged by an impressive 7% in 2010, reaching an astounding 940 million. This statistic underscores the undeniable relevance and immense potential for growth within the tourism industry, making it an ideal avenue for your academic exploration.

Whether you’re intrigued by the allure of exotic destinations or fascinated by the intricacies of tourism management, there’s a wealth of opportunities awaiting your exploration. Let’s transform your dissertation into an extraordinary voyage of discovery, where every topic you delve into unlocks new insights and enriches your understanding of this dynamic field. Get ready to embark on an exciting academic adventure as we explore captivating tourism research topics together!

Table of Contents

Tourism Dissertation Topics Ideas to Take You Out of Dissertation Writing Nightmare

Unlock the excitement of selecting tourism research topics, accommodation tourism dissertation topics:.

The Impact of Boutique Hotels on Tourist Experience: A Comparative Study
Sustainable Practices in Eco-Lodges: Balancing Environmental Conservation with Guest Comfort
Accessibility and Inclusivity in Hotel Design: Enhancing Accommodation Options for Persons with Disabilities
The Rise of Airbnb: Disrupting Traditional Accommodation Models and its Implications for Local Communities
Luxury Camping: Exploring the Growing Trend of Glamping and Its Influence on Tourism Experiences

Food and Beverage Services:

Culinary Tourism: Analyzing the Influence of Local Cuisine on Tourist Destination Choices
Farm-to-Table Dining Experiences: Evaluating the Sustainability and Authenticity of Locally Sourced Food in Tourism
Food Tourism in Urban Settings: Exploring Food Tours and Gastronomic Adventures in Metropolitan Areas
Food Trucks and Street Food Culture: Impact on Destination Image and Visitor Satisfaction
Allergen Management in Hospitality: Strategies for Ensuring Safe Dining Experiences for Guests with Food Allergies

Recreation and Entertainment:

Adventure Tourism and Risk Management: Balancing Thrills with Safety Measures in Extreme Sports Activities
Cultural Festivals as Tourism Attractions: Assessing Their Role in Destination Marketing and Community Development
Virtual Reality Experiences in Tourism: Examining Their Potential to Enhance Visitor Engagement and Satisfaction
Sustainable Theme Parks: Strategies for Minimizing Environmental Footprint and Maximizing Social Benefits
Urban Exploration Tourism: Investigating the Phenomenon of “Ruin Tourism” and Its Ethical Considerations

Transportation:

High-Speed Rail Tourism: Assessing the Impact of Train Travel on Tourism Patterns and Destination Accessibility
Electric Vehicles in Tourism: Exploring Sustainable Transportation Options for Tourists in Urban Areas
Cruise Tourism and Destination Development: Analyzing the Economic and Environmental Impacts of Port Infrastructure Expansion
Micro-Mobility Solutions for Tourists: Evaluating the Role of Scooter Sharing and Bike Rentals in Urban Tourism
Airport Design and Passenger Experience: Enhancing Airport Facilities to Improve Tourist Satisfaction and Destination Competitiveness

Travel Services:

Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) and Destination Marketing: Investigating the Role of Digital Platforms in Tourism Promotion
Peer-to-Peer Travel Platforms: Examining the Sharing Economy’s Impact on Traditional Travel Services
Sustainable Tour Operator Practices: Strategies for Reducing Environmental Impact and Supporting Local Communities
Wellness Tourism and Spa Services: Understanding Tourist Preferences for Health and Wellness Experiences
Travel Insurance in Tourism: Assessing the Importance of Comprehensive Coverage for Tourists’ Peace of Mind

Ecotourism:

Community-Based Ecotourism Initiatives: Evaluating Their Effectiveness in Promoting Conservation and Socio-Economic Development
Wildlife Watching Tourism: Balancing Conservation Goals with Tourist Satisfaction in Natural Habitats
Ecotourism Certification Programs: Assessing Their Role in Ensuring Environmental Responsibility and Quality Assurance
Indigenous Tourism and Cultural Preservation: Exploring Indigenous-led Ecotourism Enterprises and Their Contribution to Cultural Heritage Conservation
Marine Ecotourism: Examining Sustainable Practices for Diving and Snorkeling Activities in Coral Reefs and Marine Sanctuaries

Dark Ecotourism:

Thana tourism: Exploring Tourist Interest in Dark Tourism Sites Related to Death and Tragedy
Disaster Tourism: Understanding Visitor Motivations and Ethical Considerations in Visiting Areas Affected by Natural Disasters
War Tourism: Analyzing the Heritage Tourism Potential of Battlefields and War Memorials
Prison Tourism: Examining the Growing Interest in Visiting Historical and Active Prisons as Tourist Attractions
Nuclear Tourism: Investigating Tourist Interest in Visiting Sites Associated with Nuclear Disasters and Energy Production

Hospitality:

Employee Turnover in Hospitality: Exploring Causes, Consequences, and Strategies for Retention in the Hospitality Industry
Personalization in Hospitality Services: Implementing Customized Experiences to Enhance Guest Satisfaction and Loyalty
Hotel Revenue Management Strategies: Optimizing Pricing and Inventory to Maximize Profitability
Service Quality in Luxury Hospitality: Assessing the Importance of Attention to Detail and Personalized Service Delivery
Diversity and Inclusion in Hospitality Workforce: Promoting Equality and Equity in Hiring and Advancement Practices

Tourism Management:

Crisis Management in Tourism: Developing Resilience Strategies for Coping with Unforeseen Events
Destination Governance Models: Analyzing Public-Private Partnerships in Tourism Development and Management
Sustainable Tourism Destination Planning: Integrating Environmental, Social, and Economic Considerations
Tourism Carrying Capacity: Implementing Measures to Ensure Sustainable Visitor Management and Environmental Protection
Tourism Education and Workforce Development: Addressing Skills Gaps and Training Needs in the Tourism Industry

Tourism Marketing:

Destination Branding Strategies: Creating Unique and Memorable Brand Identities to Attract Tourists
Digital Marketing Trends in Tourism: Leveraging Social Media, Influencer Marketing, and Content Strategies to Reach Target Audiences
Niche Tourism Market Segmentation: Identifying and Targeting Specific Market Segments for Tailored Marketing Campaigns
Destination Image and Perception Management: Strategies for Shaping Tourist Perceptions and Overcoming Negative Stereotypes
Sustainable Tourism Marketing: Communicating Environmental and Social Responsibility Initiatives to Eco-Conscious Travelers
More What are some good thesis topics in tourism marketing?

Sport Tourism Dissertation Topics:

Mega Sporting Events and Destination Development: Assessing the Legacy Effects of Hosting Events like the Olympics or FIFA World Cup
Adventure Sports Tourism: Exploring the Growing Popularity of Activities like Rock Climbing, Surfing, and Mountain Biking in Tourist Destinations
Golf Tourism: Analyzing the Economic and Environmental Impacts of Golf Resorts and Tournaments on Local Communities
Sports Event Management: Strategies for Planning and Executing Successful Sporting Events to Attract Tourists and Enhance Destination Image
Health and Wellness Tourism: Investigating the Role of Sports and Fitness Facilities in Attracting Health-Conscious Travelers to Resorts and Spas
More Sports Tourism Dissertation Topics Ideas

Sustainable Tourism Dissertation Topics:

Community-Based Tourism Enterprises: Assessing Their Contribution to Sustainable Development and Poverty Alleviation in Rural Areas
Ecological Footprint Analysis of Tourist Activities: Measuring and Mitigating Environmental Impact in Popular Tourist Destinations
Certification Programs for Sustainable Tourism: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Labels like Green Globe and EarthCheck in Promoting Responsible Travel
Wildlife Conservation and Tourism: Balancing Visitor Experience with Wildlife Protection in Natural Reserves and Parks
Responsible Tourism Education and Awareness: Strategies for Engaging Tourists and Industry Stakeholders in Sustainable Practices and Ethical Behavior
More Sustainable Tourism Dissertation Topics Ideas

Travel and Tourism Dissertation Topics:

Cultural Heritage Tourism: Examining the Preservation and Promotion of Historical Sites, Museums, and Cultural Festivals as Tourist Attractions
Medical Tourism: Understanding the Motivations and Experiences of Travelers Seeking Healthcare Services Abroad
Volunteer Tourism (Voluntourism): Analyzing the Benefits and Challenges of Volunteer Programs for Local Communities and Tourists
Culinary Tourism: Exploring Food and Wine Tours, Cooking Classes, and Culinary Festivals as Tourism Experiences
Film Tourism: Investigating the Influence of Movies and TV Shows on Destination Choice and Visitor Behavior, and Strategies for Destination Marketing Utilizing Film Locations
More Travel and Tourism Dissertation Topics Ideas

Tourism Research Proposal Topics Ideas for college students.

So here are some of the tourism research proposal topics and ideas that will you find a theme for your project.

Attitude towards eco-tourism in Scotland among British tourists
Implications of the internet in the development of ecotourism
Is ecotourism better than Europe in other parts of the world?
Factors that are affecting ecotourism buying behavior
Integrated marketing communications to ecotourism in the United States of America
Developing a marketing plan for the London dungeon
Man-made dark tourism sites: the perception and attitude of Europeans
All about Jack, the ripper site
Is it socially good to visit a site of suffering and death by the local communities?
Factors affecting the customer buying behavior of dark tourism in the United States of America
Hospitality in religion
The effects of globalization on the international hospitality industry
The role of hospitality in the development of a country
Is marketing the only thing responsible for building the international hospitality industry in New York?
The internet revolution and hospitality
The death of tourism and hospitality in Asia
How tsunami affected the tourism industry of Phuket, Thailand?
How to remove the negative and bad reputation of Amsterdam using integrated marketing communication?
How to motivate people to visit and stay at the Marriot hotel in Dubai ?
Is South Asia the best tourist destination in winter times?
Bangkok as a winter holiday destination
Educational tourism program – how to make it.
Why do British students prefer cultural exchange programs in the US?
Why do international students prefer the UK as the best education destination in the world?
Comparison of the British with an American student
International education tourist programs and the contribution of British students to promote them.
Can a high volume of tourists have a negative effect on Switzerland’s environment?
What can be done to revitalize the tourism industry in Pakistan?
Tourist trap: A menace or a blessing?
In-depth analysis of any country’s tourism industry
Factors Influencing Visitor’s Choices to Visit Urban Destinations
Government instability. When a place is suffering from political problems, it will drive tourists away.
How have high prices affected tourism in London?
Does Swansea have the potential in becoming the new ecotourism destination of the UK?
Do British customers prefer international ecotourism rather than British ecotourism?
Examining the implications of the Internet on the growth of ecotourism
How to promote Beaumaris-Prison in Anglesey, Wales, as a new dark-tourism site in the UK.
Factors affecting British customers when choosing dark-tourism sites in foreign countries.
How to develop a marketing plan for London-Dungeon.
How to make Mercat-Tour in Scotland a dark tourism site.
The implications of the Tsunami on the tourism industry in Phuket, Thailand.
Role of strategic human resource management in developing sustainable competitive advantage in contemporary budget hotel chains.
What makes South-East Asia an attractive tourist destination during winter for British customers?
The Role of the London Olympics in enhancing the scope of tourism to the city.
Perception and attitude toward Beijing’s world-heritage tour among British tourists.

Hope these topics will help you come up with memorable tourism dissertations. Writing a dissertation on tourism can be fun as compared to other dissertations as you can write about any exotic place you are dying to visit.

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Tourism Dissertation Topics (26 Examples) For Academic Research

Mark Dec 25, 2019 Jun 5, 2020 Tourism No Comments

The field of tourism has evolved tremendously with time and has attracted many students to conduct research related to different areas. This article aims to help the students in choosing the most appropriate tourism dissertation topic from the list of tourism dissertation topics and project topics on tourism. The list of tourism dissertation topics provides […]

You can select research topics on tourism, and we can help you in completing your research.

A list Of tourism dissertaton topics

Studying the concept of eco-tourism and eco-tourism destinations in the world.

Implications of the internet and iPhone applications on the travel industry.

Examining the factors that affect the tourist’s decisions to travel.

To study the concept of dark tourism and how it is affecting the tourism rates.

To compare the competitiveness in the travel and tourism sector of both developing and developed nations.

To what extent does the internet affect the travel and tourism sector in the UK.

Studying the use of ICT in analysing the preferences of tourists related to travel locations.

Conducting a literature review on the factors influencing tourism needs, demands, and perceptions.

How health tourism is helping India in improving its economy.

The relationship between geo-tagging and tourist mobility.

Analysing the functional performance of the tour operators and their recommendations related to travel destinations.

Managing travel and tourist’s marketing post disasters.

To what extent the environmental conditions affect the tourist decision-making process.

Identifying how the standards of sustainability differ from country to country taking the case of three developed countries.

To find out whether the resource-based approach can promote sustainable tourism?.

Analysing the importance of creating awareness related to conservation of natural resources for responsible and sustainable tourism.

Studying the Trip Advisor Effect on the behaviour and choices of tourists.

How does environmental management system contribute to the effectiveness of the tourism industry?

To study the impact of natural disasters on the experiences of tourists.

How can countries manage the demand and supply balance in tourism?

To what extent the concept of international education is affecting the tourism rate in the case of developed nations.

Evaluating the perception and attitude towards eco-tourism and dark tourism.

To identify strategies that can help countries in increasing their tourism rates.

How tourism can help poor countries in enhancing their economic conditions.

Comparing the rating of best tourism destinations for the past 10 years.

How countries can promote educational tourism programs?

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Elaine Liu: Charging ahead

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Elaine Liu leans against an electric vehicle charger inside a parking garage.

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MIT senior Elaine Siyu Liu doesn’t own an electric car, or any car. But she sees the impact of electric vehicles (EVs) and renewables on the grid as two pieces of an energy puzzle she wants to solve.

The U.S. Department of Energy reports that the number of public and private EV charging ports nearly doubled in the past three years, and many more are in the works. Users expect to plug in at their convenience, charge up, and drive away. But what if the grid can’t handle it?

Electricity demand, long stagnant in the United States, has spiked due to EVs, data centers that drive artificial intelligence, and industry. Grid planners forecast an increase of 2.6 percent to 4.7 percent in electricity demand over the next five years, according to data reported to federal regulators. Everyone from EV charging-station operators to utility-system operators needs help navigating a system in flux.

That’s where Liu’s work comes in.

Liu, who is studying mathematics and electrical engineering and computer science (EECS), is interested in distribution — how to get electricity from a centralized location to consumers. “I see power systems as a good venue for theoretical research as an application tool,” she says. “I'm interested in it because I'm familiar with the optimization and probability techniques used to map this level of problem.”

Liu grew up in Beijing, then after middle school moved with her parents to Canada and enrolled in a prep school in Oakville, Ontario, 30 miles outside Toronto.

Liu stumbled upon an opportunity to take part in a regional math competition and eventually started a math club, but at the time, the school’s culture surrounding math surprised her. Being exposed to what seemed to be some students’ aversion to math, she says, “I don’t think my feelings about math changed. I think my feelings about how people feel about math changed.”

Liu brought her passion for math to MIT. The summer after her sophomore year, she took on the first of the two Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program projects she completed with electric power system expert Marija Ilić, a joint adjunct professor in EECS and a senior research scientist at the MIT Laboratory for Information and Decision Systems.

Predicting the grid

Since 2022, with the help of funding from the MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI), Liu has been working with Ilić on identifying ways in which the grid is challenged.

One factor is the addition of renewables to the energy pipeline. A gap in wind or sun might cause a lag in power generation. If this lag occurs during peak demand, it could mean trouble for a grid already taxed by extreme weather and other unforeseen events.

If you think of the grid as a network of dozens of interconnected parts, once an element in the network fails — say, a tree downs a transmission line — the electricity that used to go through that line needs to be rerouted. This may overload other lines, creating what’s known as a cascade failure.

“This all happens really quickly and has very large downstream effects,” Liu says. “Millions of people will have instant blackouts.”

Even if the system can handle a single downed line, Liu notes that “the nuance is that there are now a lot of renewables, and renewables are less predictable. You can't predict a gap in wind or sun. When such things happen, there’s suddenly not enough generation and too much demand. So the same kind of failure would happen, but on a larger and more uncontrollable scale.”

Renewables’ varying output has the added complication of causing voltage fluctuations. “We plug in our devices expecting a voltage of 110, but because of oscillations, you will never get exactly 110,” Liu says. “So even when you can deliver enough electricity, if you can't deliver it at the specific voltage level that is required, that’s a problem.”

Liu and Ilić are building a model to predict how and when the grid might fail. Lacking access to privatized data, Liu runs her models with European industry data and test cases made available to universities. “I have a fake power grid that I run my experiments on,” she says. “You can take the same tool and run it on the real power grid.”

Liu’s model predicts cascade failures as they evolve. Supply from a wind generator, for example, might drop precipitously over the course of an hour. The model analyzes which substations and which households will be affected. “After we know we need to do something, this prediction tool can enable system operators to strategically intervene ahead of time,” Liu says.

Dictating price and power

Last year, Liu turned her attention to EVs, which provide a different kind of challenge than renewables.

In 2022, S&P Global reported that lawmakers argued that the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) wholesale power rate structure was unfair for EV charging station operators.

In addition to operators paying by the kilowatt-hour, some also pay more for electricity during peak demand hours. Only a few EVs charging up during those hours could result in higher costs for the operator even if their overall energy use is low.

Anticipating how much power EVs will need is more complex than predicting energy needed for, say, heating and cooling. Unlike buildings, EVs move around, making it difficult to predict energy consumption at any given time. “If users don't like the price at one charging station or how long the line is, they'll go somewhere else,” Liu says. “Where to allocate EV chargers is a problem that a lot of people are dealing with right now.”

One approach would be for FERC to dictate to EV users when and where to charge and what price they'll pay. To Liu, this isn’t an attractive option. “No one likes to be told what to do,” she says.

Liu is looking at optimizing a market-based solution that would be acceptable to top-level energy producers — wind and solar farms and nuclear plants — all the way down to the municipal aggregators that secure electricity at competitive rates and oversee distribution to the consumer.

Analyzing the location, movement, and behavior patterns of all the EVs driven daily in Boston and other major energy hubs, she notes, could help demand aggregators determine where to place EV chargers and how much to charge consumers, akin to Walmart deciding how much to mark up wholesale eggs in different markets.

Last year, Liu presented the work at MITEI’s annual research conference. This spring, Liu and Ilić are submitting a paper on the market optimization analysis to a journal of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

Liu has come to terms with her early introduction to attitudes toward STEM that struck her as markedly different from those in China. She says, “I think the (prep) school had a very strong ‘math is for nerds’ vibe, especially for girls. There was a ‘why are you giving yourself more work?’ kind of mentality. But over time, I just learned to disregard that.”

After graduation, Liu, the only undergraduate researcher in Ilić’s MIT Electric Energy Systems Group, plans to apply to fellowships and graduate programs in EECS, applied math, and operations research.

Based on her analysis, Liu says that the market could effectively determine the price and availability of charging stations. Offering incentives for EV owners to charge during the day instead of at night when demand is high could help avoid grid overload and prevent extra costs to operators. “People would still retain the ability to go to a different charging station if they chose to,” she says. “I'm arguing that this works.”

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PRESENTED BY WEST VIRGINIA TOURISM

Fireflies are nature’s light show at this West Virginia state park

By protecting natural darkness, Watoga State Park inadvertently created a haven for thousands of synchronous fireflies.

A dark forest with trees and thousands of small, short, yellow streaks representing the fireflies. There is a cabin in the background.

Although fireflies are found on every continent except Antarctica , the flashing type primarily thrives in the humid eastern U.S. from Maine to Florida. The males attract mates with mesmerizing light displays, but only in select pockets of the Appalachian Mountains do both genders flash in unison.

The Elkmont region in Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park is renowned for this spectacle, drawing crowds during the two-week mating period when Photinus carolinus synchronizes its flash pattern. These elusive beetles can also be found in lesser-known locales across Appalachia. However, an unexpected discovery emerged during a West Virginia state park’s pursuit of International Dark Sky status: another thriving population of synchronous fireflies on public land.

Discovering Watoga’s synchronous fireflies

In 2019, Watoga State Park officials and community volunteers banded together to transform the park into a dark-sky haven. Spanning 10,000 acres and surrounded by another 10,000 acres of protected forest, Watoga features some of the darkest skies in the Mid-Atlantic. Park officials and volunteers spent three years installing International Dark Sky Association-approved lighting. During the first summer of the project, a retired biologist discovered the fireflies while visiting Watoga.

In 2020, researchers from the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources confirmed the presence of these fireflies. They looked for Photinus carolinus’ signature display—a “flash train” of six quick pulses followed by six to nine seconds of darkness—and quickly found it. “The more you looked, the more you realized that Watoga is home to synchronous fireflies everywhere if you’re there at the right time of year and walking out at the right time of night,” says Mack Frantz, a zoologist on that trip.

Lynn Faust, the self-taught researcher who identified synchronous fireflies in the Smokies, says Watoga’s population has probably been there all along but is more clearly seen and growing due to reduced light pollution. Unlike the continent’s most common firefly, Photinus pyralis , which has evolved to court in twilight, the carolinus species requires total darkness.

( How do fireflies get their glow? We finally have some answers .)

In the 1990s, while looking for fireflies at her family’s cabin in Elkmont, Faust became fed up with a streetlamp that was “messing up [her] experiments,” so she climbed the pole at 2 a.m. and smashed it with a rock. The woods “literally exploded in sparkles,” she says. “For about five seconds, the entire forest came alive with flashing.” Over the next decade, the national park removed all streetlamps from Elkmont, and Faust says the synchronous flashes immediately filled the newly darkened areas.

After the discovery in Watoga, the Division of Natural Resources submitted a letter of support to the International Dark Sky Association, ultimately helping the park achieve its Dark Sky designation in 2021. Today, Watoga, Calvin Price State Forest, and Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park make up West Virginia’s only International Dark Sky Park . It’s one of 87 in the U.S., only 22 of which are east of the Mississippi River .

Protecting fireflies from overtourism

The carolinus firefly is less researched than common species, but the IUCN Red List names light pollution and trampling as its biggest threats. In Elkmont, crowding became such an issue that the national park introduced a lottery system to protect its vulnerable beetles from too much “entomo-tourism,” as the IUCN defines it. Fewer than 1,000 out of the 20,000 to 50,000 people who apply to the lottery every spring succeed.

Watoga has experienced a spike in tourism since the discovery of its synchronous fireflies and Dark Sky designation, with June visitation shooting up 34 percent from 2019 to 2022. “Our number one concern at this point is understanding this sensitive species,” says Jody Spencer, Watoga State Park superintendent.

( Fireflies are vanishing—but you can help protect them .)

New signs around the park alert visitors to viewing etiquette: “No artificial lighting. No flash photography. Stay on designated trails at all times. Do not capture fireflies. No smoking or perfume,” and “cover up for mosquito protection” instead of wearing insect repellent.

How to see synchronous fireflies in Watoga

Watoga’s synchronous fireflies flash from around mid-June to the end of the month, though climatic conditions dictate the exact timing. As part of its conservation management plan, the Division of Natural Resources installed a weather station in the park to help track breeding phenology.

Using this data, researchers can predict the flashing a couple of months before it begins. The state park now holds expert talks and events celebrating the fireflies and star parties every summer.

Frantz says Watoga parkgoers don’t have to go far from their cabins or campsites to see the phenomenon. He recommends going out just before 10 p.m. to catch the show’s start. “Depending on how big and open the area is, you might see cascading effects of synchrony because those males are focused on individuals that are closer to them,” he says. “It might look almost like somebody doing the wave all around you.” Finally, after an hour or so of practice, the fireflies achieve perfect harmony.

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Blue Origin preparing return to crewed space flights, nearly 2 years after failed mission

Jeff Bezos-backed Blue Origin will resume flights to space on Sunday, ending a near two-year pause of crewed operations following a 2022 mission failure.

The NS-25 mission will lift off from Launch Site One in West Texas, with the launch window for the flight starting at 8:30 a.m. CT, the company said on Tuesday.

The New Shepard rocket, which flies cargo and humans on short trips to the edge of space, has been grounded since a September 2022 uncrewed mission failed roughly a minute after liftoff from Texas, forcing the rocket's capsule full of NASA experiments to safely eject mid-flight.

William Shatner's real-life star trek: Blue Origin flight 'unlike anything'

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration closed its review of Blue Origin's New Shepard investigation last year, agreeing with the company's findings. It required Blue Origin to make 21 corrective actions, including an engine redesign and "organizational changes".

The upcoming NS-25 mission will have six crew members, including former Air Force Captain Ed Dwight , the first Black astronaut candidate in the United States.

Reporting by Akash Sriram, Reuters

The WNBA is investigating whether Vegas tourism authority can sponsor Aces players for $100K each

By mark anderson, associated press | updated - may 18, 2024 at 4:22 p.m. | posted - may 18, 2024 at 1:38 p.m..

Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes

LAS VEGAS — The WNBA is investigating whether the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority's $100,000 annual sponsorship to Aces player for this season and next is allowed.

A league spokesperson confirmed Saturday that there is an open investigation looking into the deal. The sponsorship does not violate the WNBA's salary cap because the Las Vegas authority did not orchestrate it with the club. But other teams likely were raising questions about the fairness of the sponsorship and whether it violates the spirit of the cap rules.

"I'll put it to you real simple. Most of sponsorship people go after the top two people," Aces coach Becky Hammon said. "This situation from what I understand is, they wanted the whole team. They called individual agents. I don't know the details. I have nothing to do with it. The Aces don't have anything to do with it. That's what happened."

This isn't the Aces first run-in with the league over the last few years. Last year, the WNBA suspended Hammon for two games and took away the Aces' 2025 first-round draft pick because the franchise violated league rules regarding impermissible player benefits and workplace policies.

"Just another day in the life of the Aces. We can't just ever start normal," star A'ja Wilson said. "There's always going to be something and that's OK. When we're talking about growing the game or taking the next step it can't always be investigated. It has to be like we're trying to make things better for franchises, for players for teams."

The head of the authority feels they did nothing wrong.

"We did this the right way," authority president and CEO Steve Hill told The Associated Press on Saturday. "We did something that we think works for Las Vegas and I think great for the players. We did this without the team. It was our idea and any questions they ask they'll find that out."

The authority posted a video on X of Hill telling the players in the locker room the news on Friday.

"We have 100 influencers we pay to represent Las Vegas," Hill told the AP. "This isn't any different then that. All of these ladies are completely eligible to have sponsorships. We are just asking them to represent Vegas."

The players were thrilled by the move.

"The city of Vegas I've always said, it's a big small town and they just want the best for the people here," point guard Chelsea Gray said before the Aces' home game Saturday against the Los Angeles Sparks. "They're investing in us and so they put their money where their mouth is. We've done so much for the city and having fun doing it.

"It was a great moment for me and my teammates, of somebody actually putting funds behind, saying that they're supporting and they want to have our back."

According to the website Spotrac, which tracks player salaries, the sponsorship is higher than the earnings of six Aces players.

"Definitely more than my salary," said rookie Kate Martin, who makes $67,249, according to the website. "I'm super thankful. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming, but this is very much real life and that is what all these players deserve. I wouldn't be getting this crazy bonus if it weren't for how great all of these players have played in the last few years."

The $100,000 also is a big addition even to what the top players make. A'ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum are the highest-paid Aces at $200,000 each and Gray is right behind at $196,267.

"(For) the LVCVA to see our value and to help close that pay gap, it says a lot about the character of the people that are there," said Alysha Clark, whose salary is listed at $110,000. "So I'm extremely grateful. I'm honored to be able to represent this organization and this city and be able to put on for the city, give back to this city and pour into the community, and that's what they did for us. It was really, really special."

AP Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg and AP freelance writer W.G. Ramirez contributed to this report.

AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

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