

Centre for Sustainability and Wellbeing in the Visitor Economy
We are developing critical evidence to inform public and private governance of the visitor economy, in the UK and globally.
Research aims

We strive to deliver research and teaching which drives inspiration for an environmentally, economically and socially sustainable society with a particular focus on the transport, tourism, hospitality and events industries. With a truly interdisciplinary group of academics, we work with intergovernmental organisations, industry and NGOs. We focus on the following key areas:
- Sustainability evidence-based policy making
- Industry’s acceptance of responsibility for sustainable development
- Sustainable development and entrepreneurship
- Sustainable and efficient transportation
- Sustainability marketing, product design and communication.
Research projects
SusTPol (Sustainable Tourism evidence-informed Policy)
Principal investigators: Professor Xavier Font, Dr Anna Torres-Delgado
Start date:
End date:
EXPERIENCE - Experiential tourism offer to extend the visitor season
Principal investigator: Professor Xavier Font
Sustainability evidence-based policy making
Principal investigator: Professor Xavier Font
Sustainable and efficient transportation
Principal investigators: Dr Scott Cohen, Dr Andrew Hares
Sustainable change management and corporate responsibility
Principal investigator: Professor Xavier Font
Gender, Entrepreneurship and Social Policy Institute (GESPi)

The Gender, Entrepreneurship and Social Policy Institute (GESPi) conducts research on how to achieve more sustainable forms of development and how to promote wellbeing through the tourism, hospitality, events and other service sectors. This includes getting a better understanding regarding the role of tourism and the services sectors within communities in enabling the diversification of livelihoods and promoting sustainable entrepreneurship and employment, particularly for marginalised communities, including promoting gender empowerment. We analyse how policy adjustments and stakeholder collaborations can generate positive change and inclusive growth. For more information please see the GESPi website.
Find an expert

Dr Anke Winchenbach
Co-Director of Centre

Dr Albert Kimbu
Co-Director of Centre
Researchers

Dr Nicole Cocolas
Lecturer in Transport Management

Dr Viachaslau Filimonau
Reader in Hospitality Innovation

Professor Xavier Font
Professor of Sustainability Marketing

Eduard Goean
Visiting Professor

Christy Hehir
Senior Lecturer in Tourism and Events (Programme Director for Tourism)

Dr Nadine Itani
Programme Leader and Lecturer in Air Transport Management

Dr Marion Karl
Senior Lecturer in Tourism Marketing and Management

Dr James Kennell
Head of Surrey Hospitality and Tourism Management and Associate Professor.

Dr Bora Kim
Senior Lecturer in Hospitality Management; Director of Studies, SHTM

Dr Yanning Li
Senior Lecturer (Assistant Professor) Events, Organisations and Operations

Dr Pablo Pereira Doel
Director of Undergraduate Hospitality Programmes; Human Insight Lab co-director; Sustainability fellow and Water programme co-lead at the Institute for Sustainability; Visiting Fellow, Center for Tourism Research at Wakayama University (Japan)

Dr Alector Ribeiro
Associate Professor in Tourism Management

Dr Nikolas Thomopoulos
Associate Professor in Transport

Dr Lorna Wang
Co-Director, Centre for Research on Ageing and Generations, and Senior Lecturer in Marketing and Revenue Management
Postgraduate research students

Ruhual Amin
PhD researcher

Sara Dalir
PhD researcher

Roz Davies
Postgraduate Research Student

Lori Hoy
PhD researcher

Mohamed Ibrahim
PhD researcher

Yuting Jiang
PhD researcher

Wanwisa Khampanya
PhD researcher

Dr Luigina Montano
PhD researcher

Safina Naz
Postgraduate Research Student

Sandro Rero
Postgraduate Research Student

Shoukry Rozek
PhD researcher

Prosanjit Saha
PhD researcher

Bert Smit
PhD researcher

Whitney Smith
PhD researcher

Jenny Suno Wu
PhD researcher