Featuring Our Faculty

Environment

Community Outreach Interests

My interests are focused on helping communities understand the relationship between natural resources, recreation resources and tourism. Used properly, these resources contribute to economic development and sustained environmental quality. Of particular concern to communities is the promotion of these resources for tourism. In addition, I assist communities and destinations in understanding tourists' perceptions, images of their destination, and marketing related to those images and perceptions.

Research Interests

The human environment interface is critical to the sustainable use of resources and amenities in tourism settings and destinations. I am interested in this interrelationship from a perceptual and behavioral perspective as these are related to planning, marketing and promotion. In addition, I am interested in applied research related to tourism organizations, tourism agencies and the leadership roles they play in the development and management of tourism activity, travel flows and long range planning. 

Selected Publications and Presentations

Fridgen, J. D., & Long, P.,  (2009). "Request for Authorization to Establish a New Degree Program -- MS in Sustainable Tourism". ECU Publication.

"Maritime Museum Review Committee Report: Development of the Gallants Channel Property" Committee Member, NC Department of Cultural Resources, Task Force (Sept. 2008).

Newton, R., Fridgen, J., & Edgell, D., "Establishment Plan - NC Center for Sustainable Tourism" (2007).

Workshop: NC Convention and Visitor Bureau Directors, Concord, NC -  "You know it, but how do you convince them?"The role of tourism in economic development.  (April 2007).

"Tourism and Eastern North Carolina" – Presentation to NC Workforce Development Board (Eastern Region).  Greenville, NC (September 2006).  

Courses

SUTO 6000     Principles of Tourism and Sustainability

RCLS 2000     Introduction to Leisure Services