Simon Fraser University
REM

Center for Tourism Policy and Research (CTPR)

In keeping with its multidisciplinary character, the School of Resource and Environmental Management plays a leading role in the operation of Simon Fraser University’s Centre for Tourism Policy and Research. The Centre undertakes research, offers professional development seminars and workshops, and conducts planning and marketing research projects for public and private sector tourism organizations. The Centre focuses on issues related to tourist behaviors, growth management, and environmental practices in tourism settings.

The research team associated with the Centre for Tourism Policy and Research is comprised of REM faculty members, graduate students and associates interested in tourism and outdoor recreation management issues. Three faculty members (Williams, Haider and Gill) lead the research activities conducted. They are complemented by about 12 students who conduct the majority of the day to day research tasks. Research project funding support is generated via grants and contracts generated via proposals prepared by the faculty members working in conjunction with the graduate students. REM’s staff and a part-time data management specialist provide technical support for the Centre’s activities.

Research at the Centre for Tourism Policy and Research focuses primarily on three strategic areas of investigation. Each addresses critical issues related to the use and management of natural and /or cultural resources for tourism and recreation purposes. All of the Centre’s projects have components which enable REM’s graduate students to conduct research which either directly (direct funding) or indirectly (major research paper data) helps them to build stronger research skills and complete their REM program. Examples of the research projects and published documents conducted by members of the Centre (faculty and students) in the academic year 2008-2009 include the following:

Growth Management
Turning Point and Rainforest Solutions, Nature based tourism and ecosystem based management in the Great Bear Rainforest:

    • Oceans Management Research Network: Coastal tourism policy assessment in amenity rich coastal communities
    • Parks Canada: Visitor trail management impacts
    • SSHRC: Amenity migration policy and planning strategies in rural BC communities

Human Dimensions / Behavioural Research

    • Canadian Park Service: Discrete choice modeling for resource services valuations
    • VANOC: Olympics–Assessing Olympic induced tourism social capital development

Sustainability Management Research

    • SSHRC: Olympics venue development: stakeholder engagement and place-making
    • SSHRC: Assessing consumer and supplier responses to tourism carbon offsetting strategies
    • SSHRC: Assessing tourism related social capital policy strategies in Community based ecotourism developments in Cambodia
    • Aboriginal Tourism BC: Aboriginal Cultural Tourism Accreditation Analysis
    • SSHRC: Assessing carbon-offsetting program strategies in Whistler, BC
    • SSHRC: Assessing eco-efficient transportation models for Whistler, BC