Centre for Sustainability and Wellbeing in the Visitor Economy

We are developing critical evidence to inform public and private governance of the visitor economy, in the UK and globally.

Research aims

We strive to deliver research and teaching which drives inspiration for an environmentally, economically and socially sustainable society with a particular focus on the transport, tourism, hospitality and events industries. With a truly interdisciplinary group of academics, we work with intergovernmental organisations, industry and NGOs. We focus on the following key areas:

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.

Research projects

SusTPol (Sustainable Tourism evidence-informed Policy)

Principal investigators: Professor Xavier Font, Dr Anna Torres-Delgado

Start date: 01 September 2021

End date: 31 August 2023

EXPERIENCE - Experiential tourism offer to extend the visitor season

Principal investigator: Professor Xavier Font

Sustainability evidence-based policy making

Principal investigator: Professor Xavier Font

Sustainable and efficient transportation

Principal investigators: Dr Scott Cohen, Dr Andrew Hares

Sustainable change management and corporate responsibility

Principal investigator: Professor Xavier Font

Gender, Entrepreneurship and Social Policy Institute (GESPi)

The Gender, Entrepreneurship and Social Policy Institute (GESPi) conducts research on how to achieve more sustainable forms of development and how to promote wellbeing through the tourism, hospitality, events and other service sectors. This includes getting a better understanding regarding the role of tourism and the services sectors within communities in enabling the diversification of livelihoods and promoting sustainable entrepreneurship and employment, particularly for marginalised communities, including promoting gender empowerment. We analyse how policy adjustments and stakeholder collaborations can generate positive change and inclusive growth. For more information please see the GESPi website.

Find an expert

Dr Viachaslau Filimonau

Director of the Centre

Researchers

Professor Susanne Becken

VC Research Fellow

Nicole Cocolas

Lecturer in Transport Management

Professor Scott Cohen

Professor of Tourism and Transport, School Director of Research

Professor Xavier Font

Professor of Sustainability Marketing

Eduard Goean

Visiting Professor

Christy Hehir

Lecturer in Tourism and Events

Dr Nadine Itani

Programme Leader and Lecturer in Air Transport Management

Professor Leo Jago

Emeritus Professor

Dr Marion Karl

Senior Lecturer in Tourism Marketing and Management

Dr James Kennell

Associate Professor in Events & Hospitality

Dr Bora Kim

Senior Lecturer in Hospitality Management; Co-Director of Learning and Teaching; Program Director for BSc IHM and IHTM

Dr Albert Kimbu

Reader, Head of Department of Tourism and Transport

Dr Yanning Li

Senior Lecturer in Events Management

Professor Nigel Morgan

Professor of Social Sustainability

Dr Pablo Pereira Doel

Lecturer in Hospitality Information Technology; Digital Lab lead; Sustainability fellow and Water program co-lead at the Institute for Sustainability; Visiting Fellow, Center for Tourism Research at Wakayama University (Japan)