Tourism as a Solution for the Economic Revitalization of an American College Town

Yasmine Ben Miloud and Nichole Hugo ()
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Yasmine Ben Miloud: Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL 61920, USA
Nichole Hugo: Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL 61920, USA

Tourism and Hospitality, 2024, vol. 5, issue 3, 1-17

Abstract: American college towns tend to be very economically dependent on the college they host. If enrollment is high, the town thrives. However, when enrollment is low, the town faces socio-economic difficulties, including increased unemployment and struggling businesses. Furthermore, the seasonal presence of students poses an additional challenge. This study investigates tourism as a potential solution to diversify college towns’ sources of revenue based on community willingness and town assets. Data were collected via interviews with 50 community members from three different groups within the town. While environmental tourism shows great potential for community self-development, the Calgary model of competitiveness highlights the need for significant efforts to establish the required support systems.

Keywords: college town; community self-development; environmental tourism; Calgary model; asset-based community development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Z3 Z30 Z31 Z32 Z33 Z38 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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