The travel and tourism industry has been called the "industry of industries." Its multi-sector makeup comprises many diverse stakeholders and the industry is marked by near constant change. In the past two decades technological, political and economic influences have drastically transformed the industry presenting managers with a multitude of new challenges. The Travel & Tourism Industry Center applies a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods to investigate the management practices and cultures of U.S.-based multinational companies that contribute to the overall industry.

    The Center is the only institution dedicated to the academic study of business relationships within and linked to tourism. Its objectives are enhanced by the collaboration of industry sponsors who contribute to the Center's research plans and participate in cross-industry workshops. Sponsors are also invited to attend the Industry Leaders Summit, an annual meeting of executives representing a cross-section of the travel, tourism and hospitality industry, and government, investment and education sectors.

  The Center's current research agenda focuses on five key areas within the hospitality segment of the industry. These include: corporate strategy and management practices, financial and revenue management, risk management, organizational positioning and transformation, and workplace and workforce issues. Within these themes, one current research project focuses on identifying and analyzing strategic drivers underlying success for diversified U.S.-based multinational hospitality firms. In another area, researchers are identifying strategies for the hospitality industry and corporate revenue managers to minimize costs and maximize profits by using third-party electronic distribution channels.

   The Center is a collaboration of scholars from the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management and the Darla C. Moore School of Business. Student engagement is a fundamental characteristic of the Center's approach as highlighted by its collaborative teams and mentoring program designed to engage undergraduates and graduates in field research. This experience expands the students' academic experience and enhances their workforce preparation. Moreover, students and graduates are highly sought-after interns and employees in the tourism industry.