Featuring Our Faculty

Academic Researchers - UNC System

Community Outreach Interests

As a faculty member at NC State University, I have a split appointment as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management and as a Tourism Extension Specialist. Much of my community outreach interests  respond to the notion that as interest in tourism as a tool for economic development continues to grow among communities in North Carolina and beyond, a need for resources and programs aimed at fostering collaborative relationships and at  furthering sustainable tourism practices are needed. In response to this need, I aim to help inform both practitioners and academics alike by developing and implementing resources designed to identify and foster opportunities for collaboration and economic development, while at the same time, promoting sustainable tourism practices.

Research Interests

Overall, my general research interests include tourism marketing and promotion, sustainability, and the use and creation of collaborative relationships among tourism entities. My most recent research endeavors include an examination of the use of mass mediated travel narratives (travel articles and travel brochures) in promoting travel to destinations. Over the next several years, I plan to continue to build upon my contributions by further developing my research surrounding communicative behaviors and promotion. In doing so, much of my research aims to bridge disciplinary boundaries as it often draws from theories adapted from communication, consumer behavior, persuasion, marketing, and leisure. Plans for future research include the examination and application of opportunities for stakeholder collaboration and joint promotion; the use and importance of narratives in conveying experiences; and the use of GIS technologies as a means of better identifying opportunities for collaboration and promotion.

Notable Publications

Santos, C. A., & Rozier, S. (accepted). Travel writing as a representational space: "Doing deviance." Tourism, Culture and Communication.

Santos, C. A., & Rozier, S. (2007). Intercultural communication competence and conflict negotiation strategies: Perceptions of park staff and diverse park users. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 25(1), 22-49.

Notable Presentations, and Reports

Santos C. A., Yan, G., & Rozier, S. (2008). Chinatown and the ethnic Other. In: Proceedings from the 2008 International Travel and Tourism Research Association (CD-ROM) and paper presented at conference, Philadelphia, PA. * Best Paper Award TTRA 2008.

Rozier, S.&Santos, C.A. (2008). Understanding travel promotional narratives: The influence of narrative transportation and skepticism. Report prepared for the Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Santos C. A., Humphreys, B., & Rozier, S. (2007). Intersecting social and economic impacts of tourism development. Report prepared for the Lake Tahoe Region.

Santos C. A., Schwartz, Z., & Rozier, S. (2006). Analysis of Lake County travel market. Part 1 and Part 2. Report prepared for Lake County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Santos, C. A., Rozier, S., Shinew, K. J., & Stodolska, M. (2006). Perceptions of intercultural communication and conflict strategies among park staff and Latino and African American park users. In: Abstracts from the 2006 National Recreation and Parks Association Leisure Research Symposium, and paper presented at Conference, Seattle, WA.

Rozier, S., Norman, W. C., & Backman, K. F. (2005). The effect of travel patterns on tourists’ potential willingness to take a side trip. Presented at the 36th Annual Travel Tourism Research Association Conference (TTRA), New Orleans, LA.