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Sustainable Tourism

Research

To advance discovery across hospitality and service industry management, tourism development and operations and consumer behavior, the White Lodging-J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) carries out a wide range of applied research projects across five main themes.

Research Areas

Consumer Behavior and Individual Well-Being

HTM researchers explore a variety of individual behaviors and characteristics, including consumer behavior; personal and family well-being; traveler, guest and host well-being; mindfulness; and financial planning. They also seek to improve the quality of work-life balance and employee well-being through research on behaviors in businesses and organizations. 

Faculty

    Hospitality and Service Management

    HTM researchers examine all aspects of hospitality and service management, including financial performance, marketing, operations, human resources, sales and supply chain management. They also investigate the specific challenges of operating restaurant and foodservice organizations, addressing issues from profitability to food safety and sanitation. Beyond hospitality, HTM researchers address service sector management and operations issues in financial management and retailing.

    Faculty

      Tourism Management and Community Development

      HTM researchers study topics ranging from destination management and planning to visitor satisfaction and community engagement. HTM researchers also work to understand the unique needs of rural towns and urban destinations that seek to improve the quality of life for community members through tourism. The interplay of tourism with retail and other service sector businesses to support economic development provides a rich new area of research and exploration.

      Faculty

        Sustainability and Innovation

        As the world changes, understanding sustainability and the effects of technology are critical. HTM researchers investigate a range of issues, from sustainable development to corporate social responsibility. Their research addresses resilience as well as the socio-cultural and environmental factors that contribute to the quality of life in destination communities. Researchers are also on the cutting edge of innovation in the hospitality and service sector as they identify emerging technologies and techniques and assess their impact on consumers and communities.

        Faculty

          Branding and Experience Design

          Branding increases the efficiency of businesses and destination communities in their marketing and development efforts — and the consumer experience is a key driver of success for services across tourism, hospitality, events and retail. Because of this, HTM researchers explore a variety of factors that contribute to branding effectiveness and provide new insights into how consumer experiences are perceived, their impacts on consumers and how they can be effectively designed and executed. 

          Faculty

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            Research Labs/Centers

            Our centers and labs support research leadership in the hospitality and tourism industries as well as collaborative opportunities to improve the lives of people across the state of Indiana and around the world.

            Arthur Avery Foodservice Research Laboratory

            The Arthur Avery Foodservice Research Laboratory explores solutions to management problems through research in production and customer service facility design, the development and improvement of food service production equipment and the development of new or improved food products.

            The Center for Hospitality and Retail Industries Business Analytics brings together academic researchers and industry practitioners to advance data-driven decision-making and actionable business insights for hospitality and retail industries. Focus areas include business development strategies, revenue management and pricing, customer needs identification, supply chain analytics and marketing analytics.

            Purdue Tourism and Hospitality Research Center (PTHRC)

            The Purdue Tourism and Hospitality Research Center aspires to improve the well-being of communities and individuals through tourism and hospitality experiences. Faculty and students engage in innovative studies that are critical to destination communities and hospitality organizations, both globally and locally.

            Sustainable Tourism and Responsible Travel Lab (STARTlab)

            As a specialty affiliate of the Purdue Tourism and Hospitality Research Center, the Sustainable Tourism and Responsible Travel Lab provides research, insights and support for sustainable tourism programs.

            Visitor Harassment Research Unit (VRHU)

            The Visitor Harassment Research Unit is a research cluster dedicated to understanding and finding effective solutions to the problem of tourist harassment around the world.

            Faculty by Research Area

            Consumer Behavior and Individual Well-Being

              Hospitality and Service Management

                Tourism Management and Community Development

                  Sustainability and Innovation

                    Branding and Experience Design