The Center has a highly qualified team of researchers and fellows that can carry out any number of projects, from feasibility studies, economic impact studies and marketing plans, to general tourism development research, new product development research and consumer satisfaction surveys. The Center also provides support to new businesses, industry training, expert guest speakers and assists in writing grants.
The endowed chair for the S.C. Center of Economic Excellence in Tourism and Economic Development is Dr. Simon Hudson, who joined the University of South Carolina in January 2010. He has held previous academic positions at universities in Canada and England and has worked as a visiting professor in Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Fiji, New Zealand, the United States and Australia.
Dr. David A. Cárdenas received his Ph.D. in Recreation, Tourism and Parks Management from North Carolina State University and prior to joining the faculty at the University of South Carolina, he was a faculty member at the University of North Carolina Greensboro.
Dr. Fang Meng is an assistant professor in the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management and a research associate in The Richardson Family SmartState Center of Economic Excellence in Tourism and Economic Development at the University of South Carolina.
Dr. Kevin Kam Fung So earned his Ph.D. in Tourism and Hospitality Marketing from Griffith University, Australia. While completing his doctoral studies, Dr. So also pursued graduate studies in Statistics at Queensland University of Technology, Australia.