The University of South Carolina\u27s Institute for Tourism Research: An Overview

USC\u27s Institute for Tourism Research was created in November 1985, due to the direct growth of the state and region\u27s tourism industry and the demand the industry created for research and service. The lack of sufficient numbers of nearby programs offering Master\u27s and Doctoral degrees further enhanced the concept of USC\u27s Institute for Tourism Research. By networking with private and public sector leaders, the Institute for Tourism Research establishes realistic goals, objectives, and programs to meet ongoing needs of today\u27s tourism industry. The Institute is self-supporting, with Economic Impact Studies, Visitor Satisfaction Surveys, and Longitudinal Occupancy Studies for area hotels and motels the main thrust of the Institute\u27s funding to date. Job training and educational development services are future areas of emphasis that will be met through networking with professional organizations and other university tourism centers