Unlock Thriving Careers in Tourism Economics: Where Economics Meets Global Adventure!
Tourism Economics faculty jobs offer a unique blend of economic analysis and real-world travel impacts, powering a sector that contributes over 10% to global GDP according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) 2023 report. As destinations rebound post-COVID with sustainable models, experts in tourism economics are in high demand for modeling revenue streams, policy effects, and resilience strategies. Students pursuing bachelor's or master's in tourism management or economics can pivot to PhD programs, leading to roles in academia, consulting, or international orgs like UNWTO. Seasoned professors find prestige in journals like Tourism Economics, analyzing quirks like Airbnb's disruption in Barcelona's housing markets or cruise economies in the Caribbean. Explore higher ed jobs now to launch or advance your path. Dive into salary benchmarks via professor salaries, rate top instructors on Rate My Professor, and uncover trends shaping this field.
What is Tourism Economics?
Tourism Economics examines the financial flows, employment, and multipliers of visitor spending, from beach resorts to cultural sites. Fringe cases include economic fallout from Iceland's 2010 volcano eruption, which paradoxically boosted tourism via media buzz, or space tourism projections by firms like Virgin Galactic valued at $1.7 billion by 2030 per UBS analysts. Programs blend econ metrics with hospitality data, training analysts for governments and firms.
Careers for Students in Tourism Economics
Aspiring academics start with degrees in economics or tourism, advancing to specialized PhDs. Key paths include research assistant roles (research assistant jobs) or adjunct positions (adjunct professor jobs). Rate courses on Rate My Course to guide choices. Graduates land in policy think tanks or research jobs, with entry salaries around $60,000-$80,000 US.
Professor Opportunities and Salaries in Tourism Economics
Faculty roles span lecturer to full professor in business schools. Professor jobs emphasize publications on sustainable tourism, with prestige from awards like the International Association for Tourism Economics. Check Rate My Professor for Tourism Economics standouts. Trends show 5% annual job growth per BLS hospitality projections to 2032.
Expected earnings vary by rank and location:
| Role | US Average (2023) | Europe Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Professor | $95,000-$125,000 | €55,000-€75,000 |
| Associate Professor | $120,000-$160,000 | €70,000-€95,000 |
| Full Professor | $150,000-$220,000 | €90,000+ |
Source: AAUP data; explore details at professor salaries. Higher in tourism hotspots like Las Vegas NV.
Find Tourism Economics Faculty JobsRead higher ed career advice or rate pros on Rate My Professor.
Key Trends and Unique Insights
Overtourism economics in Venice led to 2024 entry fees, generating €5M trials. Emerging: regenerative tourism models post-2023 UN reports. Career advice highlights remote remote higher ed jobs in data modeling. Top programs: University of Hawaii, Texas A&M, Bournemouth UK.
Associations for Tourism Economics
International Association for Tourism Economics
An international organization dedicated to advancing research and knowledge in the field of tourism economics through conferences, publications, and networking.
World Travel & Tourism Council
A global forum for the travel and tourism industry that focuses on the economic impact, policy, and sustainable growth of tourism worldwide.
Travel and Tourism Research Association
An international association that promotes high-quality research and data-driven insights to support decision-making in the travel and tourism sector.
Pacific Asia Travel Association
A non-profit association that fosters the responsible development of travel and tourism in the Asia Pacific region through advocacy, research, and education.
European Travel Commission
An organization representing national tourism organizations in Europe, focused on promoting Europe as a tourist destination and conducting economic research on tourism trends.
Tourism Industry Association of Canada
A national association advocating for the Canadian tourism industry, emphasizing economic policies, research, and sustainable development.
Council for Australian Tourism and Hospitality Education
An Australian organization that supports education, research, and professional development in tourism and hospitality, with a focus on economic aspects.













