At Edge Hotel School our interdisciplinary research into tourism, hospitality, and events challenges the status quo. Our work is cutting edge, takes risks, and bridges theory and practice.
We aim for research that has global and societal impact through informing positive changes by industry, governments, and society, both in the UK and internationally. The impact of our research will benefit individuals (visitors and employees), industry (businesses, not-for-profit organisations), government (policies), and our world (society, environment).
We currently focus on three key areas of the tourism, hospitality and events sectors:
Along with increasing our research expertise, we are also training the next generation of researchers through our new research degree programmes.
Writing in Tourist Studies journal, Professor Dorina-Maria Buda from Edge Hotel School, explains how unique touch experiences in conflict zones drive tourism. Her study is based on fieldwork in the Palestinian West Bank - before the recent escalation of hostilities – where international tourists visit the Separation Wall, Banksy’s Walled Off Hotel, the Nativity Church in Bethlehem and Beit Sahour, home of Banksy’s Flower Thrower, and take part in tree planting and olive picking campaigns.
While tourism and hospitality services can have a positive impact on local and national economies, they can also have negative effects for people living and working in the area. Additionally, for many businesses, there are questions around employee development and rights.
Our research in this area follows themes including: