USC Partnering with USCB and Rawl Murday on Branding Charrettes

Dr. Fang Meng facilitates branding exercise on July 9th, 2013 in Bluffton, SC.

In conjunction with Rawle Murdy, and USC-B our center is conducting research in Bluffton, SC to help them develop and identify their town unique brand/image. The first stage of the research consists of administering 4 Charrettes and conducting over 35 key stakeholder interviews.

USC SmartState Center of Excellence in Tourism and Economic Development well represented at the Travel and Tourism Research Association's annual meeting in Kansas City:

Dr. Cardenas and Dr. Meng traveled to Kansas City, Mo, to attend and present at the Travel and Tourism Research Association's Annual Meeting. The duo was invited to present two papers “Resident Attitudes Toward Future Tourism Development: The Application of Trustworthiness” and “ Tourism Use History: Market Segmentation to Measure Resident Support for Future Tourism Development”.  The data used for both presentations was part of the Aiken-Equine grant our Center received last summer. More on this presentation and the conference can be found at http://www.ttra.com/events/ttra-annual-conference/.

Future Student Exchange Program Slated for Ecuador:

Study in Paradise!

 Dr. Brian Mahalik, Dean of the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management, Dr. Rich Harrill, Acting Director and Research Professor, School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management and Dr. David Cardenas, Assistant Professor in the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management in the SmartState Center of Economic Excellence in Tourism and Economic Development, visited Ecuador this summer to lay the future foundation for a student exchange program between the University of South Carolina and Universidad San Francisco de Quito for the students enrolled in the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management. The team visited the capital of Ecuador, Quito, that houses the main campus and spent three days exploring the Galapagos and visiting the San Cristobol campus.

For more about this campus and the trip, visit Dr. Harrill's blog here:

http://hrsm-galapagosislands.blogspot.com/

http://hrsm-ecuador.blogspot.com/

 



Dr. Simon Hudson leads research team in developing an identity brand for Bluffton, SC.

http://www.wtoc.com/story/22673560/bluffton-seeks-input-to-brand-its-identity

Report on Tourism in The Pee Dee

The Center has just completed a study that looked at the rural Pee Dee region of South Carolina and its potential to capitalize on the thousands of drive tourists that come through every year on their way to coastal destinations. Interviews and focus groups of tourism industry stakeholders and two consumer surveys were conducted for data collection. Results revealed major constraints to tourism development in the Pee Dee including the lack of a clear brand, poor accessibility, limited cooperation between regions in Pee Dee, lack of cooperation between Pee Dee and the coastal regions, limited infrastructure and tourism product, very poor signage, and limited marketing funds. But opportunities for tourism development in this rural area as a drive tourism destination were also recognized, such as the unique historic and nature-based attractions. Culinary tourism and festivals and events are also likely to attract drive tourists to the Pee Dee, and potential tourists would be interested in natural beauty scenic drives as an alternative way of reaching the coast.

Based on the results, a number of recommendations have been made in the report for growing tourism in the Pee Dee. The full report can be downloaded at:

http://www.hrsm.sc.edu/CoEETourismandED/PDFs/SCTourismStats/DevelopingTourismintheRuralPeeDee.pdf

Aiken horse park and multi-purpose facility

Dr. Simon Hudson and his research team have been commissioned to conduct a privately funded feasibility study endorsed by the Aiken Chamber of Commerce.  This preliminary study will explore a number of options for a multi-use arena and event facility to include a horse park.  Aiken, a self-professed equestrian 'hot-spot' already has a thriving local culture that supports a number horse disciplines and events.   Following a day of focus groups in Aiken, SC, February 28th, 2012, Dr. Hudson (pictured here) provided the local Equine Support Council with a feasibility study update.

Pee Dee Area Study

Dr. Fang Meng, Assistant Professor and SmartState SC Center of Economic Excellence in Tourism and Economic Fellow, is spearheading a research project to encourage tourism to the Pee Dee.  Survey data on perceptions of the Pee Dee among current and potential visitors, as well as activities that would draw visitors to the area, will be analyzed and results will inform efforts develop tourism products in a currenlty under-developed market.
Dr. Fang may be contacted at:fmeng@mailbox.sc.edu
Coliseum Room 1011-D
803-777-0631