Rich Harrill, Ph.D.
International Tourism Research Institute Director
Research Professor
School of Hospitality and Tourism Management
College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management
Become a Client
The travel and tourism industry offers tremendous opportunity, but it's also a competitive environment that can be incredibly vulnerable and complex. That's why it's important to work with partners who are industry experts with access to the best resources available.
As prominent faculty members of a higher education research institution, we are aligned with other universities and academic communities across the globe.
To find the right solution, you must first have a clear and comprehensive understanding of the problem. Let us collaborate with you to properly identify your needs, and help develop a business plan that can be implemented easily and executed successfully.
What We Can Do for You
Tourism-related economic development assistance includes a variety of services designed to improve an area's ability to capitalize on natural, historical, and man-made resources. The institute's assistance can include research, technical assistance or both. Some examples of research subject areas:
- Customer segmentation and targeting helps you better identify and understand your best customers, find them, and reach them more effectively. The institute specializes in lifestyle segmentation using the innovative Claritas PRIZM NE ™ system.
- Market feasibility analyses look at the potential for a new tourism product or service, and include a review of market size, competition, trends, user profiles, and travel expenditures.
- Economic feasibility and economic impact analyses evaluate if a tourism project is financially sound for a community, region, or state government.
- Comprehensive assessments combine several of these services into one project to give a community or region a complete picture of its tourism industry and potential.
- Other customized projects can be designed to provide the information you need for tourism-related economic development or business decisions.
- The International Tourism Research Institute helps to keep clients current on tourism-related economic development by disseminating information via presentations and workshops.
Become an Institute Fellow
The institute occasionally invites people to become a Fellow of the Institute. This honor belongs to individuals with nationally and internationally recognized experience, and expertise in tourism and hospitality. The institute benefits greatly from the knowledge and wisdom of our fellows, who also help conduct outstanding research among organizations, universities and individuals.
If selected, you will receive a certificate from the university and institute proclaiming your title as institute fellows. Working with the institute in this capacity, you are an esteemed partner, and in turn the center shares its expertise and information with your department and university. Ultimately, it is the institute's goal to create a network of partnerships among fellows for the mutual benefit of the departments, universities and the field of tourism.
Become an Institute Partner
Corporate partners are businesses and corporations that make annual charitable gifts to the International Tourism Research Institute. Special opportunities for partners include:
- Special projects performed on an in-kind basis by institute personnel
- Customized presentations
- Customized press releases and editing services
- Request and receive up-to-date, relevant data on tourism and hospitality - locally, nationally, and globally
- Greater access to the institute’s global network of experts through the International Society of Culture, Tourism, and Hospitality
- Greater access to student, scholar, and alumni networks
We invite you to join the International Tourism Research Institute Corporate Partnership with an annual charitable contribution. Your gift will support the institute’s mission, and your company will benefit from the wealth of expertise and connections we have to offer.
To make your charitable contribution or become a partner, please email director Rich Harrill, Ph.D. Thank you for your support of the University of South Carolina's International Tourism Research Institute.
Get in Touch
For more information on ways to work with the International Tourism Research Institute, please contact director Rich Harrill, Ph.D.