David L. Edgell, Sr., Ph.D.
July 27, 2018
David L. Edgell, Sr., Ph.D.
Professor of Trade, Tourism, and Economic Development, College of Business, School of Hospitality Leadership, and Research
Scholar in Sustainable Tourism, East Carolina University
Charter Member, International Academy for the Study of Tourism
Fellow, Center of Economic Excellence in Tourism and Economic Development, University of South Carolina
Former U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism
TEN IMPORTANT WORLD TOURISM ISSUES FOR 2019
1. Maintaining a destinations sustainable tourism development: economic, social/cultural, natural and built resources
2. Concerns for safety and security remain an important issue to address within the global travel and tourism industry
3. Impact on the travel and tourism industry resulting from global economic, social/cultural and political directions
4. Responding to increased interest in the long-term impacts on tourism of climate change and global warming
5. Necessity for increased local/regional/national/international leadership in tourism policy and strategic planning
6. Resolving barriers to travel: visas, passports, immigration issues, airline services, fees, and delays
7. Educating travelers and businesses in optimizing the application of new technologies, within the tourism industry
8. Maintaining a sustainable, engaged, skilled and experienced workforce in order to deliver quality tourism experiences
9. Effect on travel and tourism from natural/human-induced disasters, health issues, and political disruptions
10. Utilize tourism as a vehicle for bringing indigenous and rural populations out of their state of oppression and marginalization
A guest never forgets the host who had treated him kindly.
-Homer, The Odyssey, 9th Century B.C.-
Sources of information: university discussions, conferences and seminars, tourism documents, Internet, survey information, industry data, books, articles, and publications, utilization of a modified Delphi approach to gather certain research information, and comments from interested colleagues, students, and others. Research conducted by David Edgell: International Sustainable Tourism Policy in the Brown Journal of World Affairs, Volume XXll, Issue 1, Fall/Winter, 2015; Managing Sustainable Tourism: A Legacy for the Future (second edition-2016 Edgell); Sustainable Tourism Development: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (Edgell, Journal of Hospitality & Tourism, Volume 15, Number 1, 2017; New Directions In International Sustainable Tourism Policy (Edgell, Journal of Hospitality & Tourism, Summer 2018); and, Tourism Policy and Planning (third edition-2019, Edgell and Swanson).
