Who We Are
Engaging business and education in the future of the travel industry
“Life is a journey.” How often have we heard that phrase or used it ourselves? Writers have noted that it is humankind’s most enduring metaphor. The notion of travel is hard-wired into the human experience. In ancient times, travel was motivated by the desire for exploration, discovery, and enrichment. And times haven’t changed much. To explore, to discover, and to become enriched still drives people to travel today.
The desire to travel – and modern society’s ability to do so – has made travel and tourism the number one industry of many countries of the world and the largest service sector export for the United States. The travel and tourism industry is one of the few industries credited with producing positive balance of trade results for the U.S. economy. 
It is one of the largest employers, developing workers at all levels and areas of expertise. Last year alone the U.S. travel industry generated more than 7.3 million jobs with over $162 billion in payroll income for Americans. Communities of all sizes benefit as well: the industry produces $100 billion in tax revenues for federal, state, and local governments. International visitors generated tax revenues of more than $12 billion.
But the travel and tourism industry is exceedingly complex. In fact, it has been called the “industry of industries,” recognizing the fact that travel-related companies range in size from multinational corporations operating out of high-rise towers to individuals selling travel products and services from their homes.
It is in this context that the University of South Carolina in the spring of 2004 launched the most comprehensive and inclusive travel and tourism industry research and outreach center in the United States as a joint effort of the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management and the Moore School of Business.
Funded in part through a generous grant from the prestigious Sloan Foundation, headquartered in New York, the center adopted the official name: The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Travel & Tourism Industry Center at the University of South Carolina.
Press Release
Landmark Chinese Tourism Project Announced
Columbia, South Carolina
The Alfred P. Sloan Travel & Tourism Industry Center at the University of South Carolina, in partnership with the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA), is launching a major research project addressing the anticipated future increase in Chinese travelers visiting the United States.
Surveys and interviews will be conducted in major Chinese cities to determine why citizens want to come to the United States, what sites they’re interested in seeing and how long they intend to visit this country. The project will also examine the cultural, social, economic and political conditions that will affect travel from China to the United States.
The World Tourism Organization (WTO) predicts that more than 100 million Chinese tourists will travel to other countries by 2020, making China the number one exporter of tourists. Currently, Chinese citizens are only able to visit countries with Approved Destination Status (ADS). Although the United States is rapidly moving toward establishing a formal ADS agreement, few businesses and destinations are adequately preparing for their arrival.
“This project is a landmark examination of the future, outbound Chinese tourism market for the United States,” said Dr. Rich Harrill, director of the Sloan Travel & Tourism Center. “This research is important to United States’ competitiveness in the travel and tourism industry because it will help businesses and tourism destinations plan and benefit economically from this potentially significant market.”
Dr. Robert Li, a Center faculty associate, will manage the project. Results should be available in December.
The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Travel & Tourism Industry Center is a comprehensive and inclusive travel and tourism research and outreach center and is a joint effort of the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management and the Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina. It is funded in part through a generous grant from the prestigious Sloan Foundation, headquartered in New York.
The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Travel & Tourism Industry Center is available to partner with businesses, organizations, and agencies at the local, state, national, and international level. Please contact Dr. Rich Harrill at 1-803-777-7682 or rharrill@mailbox.sc.edu.