The Luminary Awards 鈥� established in 2017 鈥� are designed to recognize some of 麻豆原创鈥檚 brightest stars who shine a positive light on the university and in their respective fields, as well as illuminate a path of discovery for those who will come after them.

Honorees were selected based on nominations by deans, chairs and directors from across the university. The event was attended by the recipients, their close family and friends, as well as former awardees and special guests from the community.

麻豆原创 President Alexander N. Cartwright, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Michael Johnson, Vice President for Research and Innovation Winston Schoenfeld and Interim Vice Provost for Faculty Excellence Joel Cramer were on hand to recognize each winner.

The 2024 Luminary Award recipients are:

Robertico Croes

Professor, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

For over two decades, Croes has focused his academic career on the critical intersection of socially sustainable tourism, economic growth, and poverty alleviation. In recent years, he has made waves with pioneering research on travel health and infectious disease control. Leading the charge as principal investigator, Croes secured $4.5 million in funding to help mitigate the severe social and economic impacts of pandemics on the hospitality and tourism industry. His work emphasizes the survival of small businesses and the well-being of disabled people, aiming to protect the future of both.

One of the most notable outcomes of this funding is Rosen College鈥檚 first intellectual property: a personalized health-based travel app.

Croes鈥� expertise has also garnered global recognition, leading to his recent invitation by the president of the United Nations General Assembly to discuss sustainable development goals as they pertain to tourism鈥檚 role in alleviating poverty.

Croes鈥� contributions to sustainable tourism have had far-reaching impacts, benefiting 麻豆原创, the Rosen College, and impacted populations both in the U.S. and internationally. His commitment to mentoring students and faculty has helped shape the future of the tourism industry while enhancing global economic sustainability.

Craig Crossley

Associate professor, Department of Management, College of Business

Crossley has earned global recognition for his impactful research and leadership, most notably through his prestigious role as the Fulbright-Hanken Distinguished Chair in Helsinki, Finland. Each year, fewer than 30 scholars worldwide receive this distinction, the Fulbright Program鈥檚 highest honor designated for eminent figures across all academic disciplines. Despite the demanding nature of this position, Crossley has continued to fully serve 麻豆原创 while fulfilling his Fulbright obligations over two consecutive summers.

Crossley鈥檚 research excellence is well-reflected in his citation count, with more than 6,000 citations, nearly half of which were garnered in the last three years alone. His work puts him in the top 3% of scholars in his field, demonstrating his growing influence in the management discipline. Over the past three years, he has given nine presentations at international conferences, serving as chair or keynote speaker for four of them.

Beyond academia, Crossley鈥檚 work has widespread societal impact. He has formed partnerships with organizations such as the Children鈥檚 Home Society of Florida and global entities like the Irish and U.K. governments, helping organizations with difficult business environments and business challenges, such as navigating Brexit.

Matt Marino and Eleazar Vasquez

Professors, School of Teacher Education, College of Community Innovation and Education

Marino and Vasquez, leaders of the Toni Jennings Exceptional Education Institute in 麻豆原创’s School of Teacher Education, have earned national recognition for their impactful contributions to exceptional student research and education. Together, they have transformed the institute into a vital ecosystem serving regional, statewide, and national communities through innovative policy and practices.

As the institute鈥檚 director and former interim director, respectively, Vasquez and Marino have created strong collaborations with school districts and stakeholders like Orange County Public Schools, the nation鈥檚 eighth-largest district. Their partnerships benefit countless students, educators and families, and extend to supporting students with intellectual disabilities through the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities.

Vasquez鈥檚 leadership earned him a White House and Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee invitation in May to discuss artificial intelligence and education, and he is part of a team securing several federal research awards, including a $50 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education Office of Elementary and Secondary Education Full Service Community Schools Programs to enhance community partnership schools in Florida.

Marino, likewise, has recently secured several awards, including $6.5 million over five years from the Office of Special Education Programs and a three-year grant from the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities to expand the institute鈥檚 work. Their collective efforts have positively impacted 1.5 million scholars, 35,000 teachers, and hundreds of families. They consistently publish research studies in high-impact journals, present at key conferences, and have secured more than $82 million in grant funding since 2017. These achievements demonstrate excellence in education, research and societal impact.

Matt Dombrowski 鈥�05 鈥�08MFA

Associate professor, School of Visual Arts and Design, College of Arts and Humanities

Dombrowski has demonstrated exceptional dedication to interdisciplinary research, innovative teaching, and impactful service. His contributions to the field of animation and visual art and his role as creative director at Limbitless Solutions have significantly advanced 麻豆原创’s mission of fostering creative and scholarly excellence.

His scholarly work encompasses varying fields, with peer-reviewed articles exploring groundbreaking technologies such as electromyographic video game controllers for improving prosthetic outcomes, innovative 3D printing strategies for prosthetic components and control schemes for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. His publications often include undergraduate researchers, underscoring his dedication to both mentorship and innovation.

In his role at Limbitless Solutions, Dombrowski has overseen a total of over 500 interdisciplinary students comprised of seven 麻豆原创 colleges. His leadership has forged partnerships with industry giants like Adobe, Autodesk and Microsoft, securing significant support, including over a quarter of a million dollars in funding from companies like Adobe, Unity, Epic Unreal and Disney. His work also extends to impactful community projects like bionic arm delivery with Arnold Palmer, Orlando Health and Oregon Health & Science University along with Project Xavier, a hands-free wheelchair initiative with the Mayo Clinic.

Dombrowski鈥檚 advocacy for Limbitless has taken 麻豆原创 undergraduates to prestigious venues such as the United Nations and the Smithsonian. His national recognition, including being named an Adobe Creator to Watch in 2023 by Adobe and Forbes magazine, reflects his transformative contributions to 麻豆原创 and the broader community.

Mindy Shoss

Professor, Department of Psychology, College of Sciences

Shoss has been instrumental in building and maintaining 麻豆原创 as a powerhouse of workplace psychology research, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence, layoffs and the future of work. This includes helping 麻豆原创 become selected as a site for a targeted research training program funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Her research has been featured in Harvard Business Review and in leading media outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post.

Shoss has also delivered high-profile presentations for the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, the American Psychological Association (APA), and the National Safety Council. Her influence has extended to advising the APA, U.S. Congress, and the U.S. Surgeon General鈥檚 Office on workplace mental health.

With over 100 published works, including 32 peer-reviewed articles since 2021, Shoss鈥� research is highly regarded. She has secured $3.8 million in external funding. Recognized as a fellow of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Shoss continues to shape the future of work and workplace well-being.

Mona Shattell

Professor, College of Nursing

Shattell, a distinguished scholar in psychiatric-mental health, has earned an international reputation for her groundbreaking research on the well-being of nurses and long-haul truck drivers. Her extensive work highlights her commitment to advancing mental health and well-being in often overlooked populations.

She has served as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services for the past seven years, curating impactful content and co-authoring multiple editorials, including one with a doctoral student. In addition to her editorial duties, she co-authored nine articles in high-impact journals, focusing on workplace mental health issues.

Shattell鈥檚 contributions extend beyond academia. She is the lead author of Social Media in Health Care: A Guide to Creating Your Professional Digital Presence, a practical guide that has become a key resource for healthcare professionals. Her strong social media presence, with nearly 9,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter), amplifies her influence and thought leadership in the mental health field.

Her expertise is frequently sought by the media, having conducted multiple interviews and appearing as a guest on national podcasts, including a Sirius XM show about mental health in the trucking industry. She has also delivered keynote addresses at international conferences and received the prestigious Melva Jo Hendrix Award from the International Society of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses in 2023.

With her national and international recognition, Shattell鈥檚 work continues to improve mental health care for populations in need, solidifying her impact on the field.

Ladda Thiamwong

Professor, College of Nursing

Thiamwong has earned international recognition for her innovative aging research and leadership, highlighting her significant contributions to the field. Over the past three years, Thiamwong has secured over $4 million in National Institutes of Health funding, with an additional $4 million pending, and has produced an impressive 76 scholarly works, including 62 peer-reviewed articles. Her research is collaborative and involves disciplines that span engineering, kinesiology, computer science, psychology, and statistics, helping to transform the field of geriatric nursing.

Thiamwong鈥檚 work has garnered widespread media attention, including a recent feature on the front page of the Orlando Sentinel. She has delivered 53 international presentations in the past three years, including a keynote address, and serves as an associate editor for Frontiers in Public Health. Her expertise is frequently sought locally as well, including as a member of the Orlando Mayor鈥檚 Committee on Livability and Healthy Aging.

Among her numerous accolades, Thiamwong was inducted as a fellow in both the American Academy of Nursing and the National Academies of Practice. She also received the Excellence in Geriatric Nursing Research Mid-Career Award and was recently named the Florida Blue Endowed Professor for Healthy Communities.

Her dedication to mentoring the next generation of scientists and her contributions to aging research are promoting significant progress and innovations that will have long-lasting impacts in the field.

Thomas Wahl

Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science.

Wahl has established himself as a leader on the impact of sea level rise and storm surges on the built environment. His work integrates engineering with atmospheric and oceanographic sciences and influences policy at national and international levels.

Since joining 麻豆原创 in 2017, Wahl has attracted nearly $6 million in research funding, contributing to projects totaling over $55 million. His scholarly output is remarkable, with more than 100 peer-reviewed journal papers with over 5,000 Scopus citations. His research has been published in prestigious journals such as Nature, and his excellent ability to communicate the importance of his work to stakeholders and the media elevates 麻豆原创鈥檚 prominence nationally and globally.

Wahl鈥檚 numerous accolades include the Huber Prize from the American Society of Civil Engineers and early career investigator awards from both NASA and the U.S. National Science Foundation. He is also a dedicated mentor, having guided students like Javed Ali, a recent Order of Pegasus awardee. His research has gained widespread media attention, appearing in The Washington Post, National Geographic and numerous state and local media outlets.

With his impressive achievements and significant contributions to addressing sea level rise, Wahl continues to push the boundaries of research and innovation.

鈥淰ery few people receive a personal letter from the president of the General Assembly to speak at the U.N., and I am honored to be one of them,鈥� Croes says.

Over the past 20 years, Rosen College has grown significantly in its research prowess, establishing itself as a global leader in hospitality and tourism studies. This growth is evident in the college’s extensive contributions to research, international collaborations and its impact on global tourism policy. Rosen College鈥檚 reputation is further bolstered by its magazine, the Rosen Research Review, which Croes is the editor of and reaches over 150 countries and has more than 1 million readers across these nations.

鈥淭his global recognition of Rosen College is a testament to the collective knowledge and research prowess we have developed,鈥� Croes says.

Advancing Global Sustainability Through Tourism

The U.N. event included a fireside chat about the future of tourism. During the conversation, Croes discussed the intricate relationship between tourism, sustainability and the U.N.鈥檚 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. He emphasized that the event was one of the first times in decades that the U.N. has focused so intensely on tourism, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

鈥淐OVID-19 has increased poverty and highlighted healthcare inequalities, particularly in developing countries,鈥� he says. 鈥淎ddressing these issues in the context of sustainability and the SDGs is crucial.鈥�

During this year鈥檚 National Travel and Tourism Week, celebrated May 19-25, Croes鈥� insights resonate even more. This annual celebration, established in 1983, underscores travel鈥檚 essential role in stimulating economic growth, cultivating vibrant communities and enriching lives. This year’s theme highlights how travel and tourism are vital to our nation’s economy and the well-being of its citizens.

During the presentation, Croes further emphasized how thoughtful tourism and sustainability management can improve lives.

鈥淔or me, it was particularly emotional because I had the opportunity to stand on the podium where heads of state speak and share our research about the future of global tourism, the role of sustainability and well-being, how these two mesh, and how tourism can be a critical vehicle to help people move up the ladder and improve their lives.鈥�

Croes shared an interesting example from the Netherlands.

鈥淚f the Dutch had only considered environmental sustainability in the 1950s, significant parts of the country would be underwater today,鈥� he says. 鈥淭heir creativity in building dikes reclaimed land and pushed the boundaries of what鈥檚 possible.鈥�

He emphasized that focusing too narrowly on environmental concerns can limit human ingenuity and solutions that benefit both people and the planet.

鈥淲e should nurture creativity and provide opportunities for innovative solutions that benefit everyone,鈥� he says.

Croes also stressed that residents of tourist destinations should decide how tourism affects them.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not for scholars to dictate; we can outline principles, but the people should decide what鈥檚 best for their well-being,鈥� he says.

This democratic approach, he argued, is crucial for fostering creativity and ensuring tourism benefits everyone.

From Diplomacy to Academia

Croes鈥� recent presentation at the U.N. isn鈥檛 his first visit to the General Assembly. In the early 鈥�80s he visited the U.N. General Assembly when he was working as a junior diplomat in the foreign affairs department of the Netherlands Antilles. He sat in the Dutch Kingdom delegation, listening to heads of state discuss global challenges and requests for international support.

鈥淚t was a formative moment of my career,鈥� Croes says.

After starting his career in diplomacy, Croes transitioned into academia, where he has become a leading voice in tourism economics and management. His expertise spans tourism economics, human development, poverty alleviation and tourism management, particularly in small and developing economies. Croes has made significant contributions to the field, authoring six books, including Small Island and Small Destination Tourism and A Modern Guide to Tourism Economics, and publishing over 100 works. Notably, he co-authored a report with other Rosen College faculty that was presented at the U.N.鈥檚 Ocean Conference in 2022. Croes also leads the Infectious Disease and Travel Health Project at 麻豆原创, funded by a $4.5 million university grant.

At Rosen College, Croes is a strong advocate for integrating broader perspectives into tourism education. He believes future leaders should focus not only on profit but also on creating opportunities for individuals and communities.

鈥淥ur research should help nurture creativity and provide opportunities for others, ensuring a holistic view of resources beyond just material wealth,鈥� he says.

Croes envisions a program that includes experiences from non-government organizations, corporations, politicians and religious leaders, preparing students to lead with a comprehensive understanding of their impact on society.

鈥淎 leader鈥檚 decisions can have far-reaching consequences, affecting families, communities and even national economies,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not about small administrative details; it鈥檚 about making an impact on society. We need to focus on what鈥檚 relevant, impactful and useful.鈥�

As National Travel and Tourism Week comes to a close, Croes鈥� journey from diplomat to advocate serves as a timely reminder of tourism鈥檚 potential to drive positive change.

Reflecting on Rosen College鈥檚 role in global discussions, Croes concluded, 鈥淭he collective knowledge at Rosen College stands as a beacon on the global stage. Our commitment to research and education in tourism not only drives academic excellence but also contributes significantly to international policy and community well-being.鈥�

Croes鈥� insights offer a compelling vision for the future of tourism, one that resonates far beyond the walls of the U.N.

鈥淒r. Croes has been an incredible asset to Rosen College over the years and I鈥檓 confident that he will be very effective in the role of associate dean,鈥� said Abraham Pizam, dean of Rosen College. 鈥淗is background and expertise in economics and tourism management make him an excellent fit for this position in which he will work with faculty, staff and administration to ensure Rosen College continues to be a leader in hospitality management education.鈥�

Croes arrived at 麻豆原创 in 2002. He received his doctorate from the University of Twente, The Netherlands and his dissertation focused on quantitative modeling of tourism demand, tourism development and government intervention. Croes鈥� research has been published in the Annals of Tourism Research, Journal of Travel Research, Tourism Economics, International Journal of Tourism Research, Tourism Management and International Journal of Hospitality Management, among others. He has also served on the editorial board of three journals and is the recipient of several scholarly awards.

Croes鈥� fields of expertise include econometrics applications in hospitality, tourism demand analysis/forecasting, tourism economic impact, competitive and sustainable tourism in tourism development analysis, tourism development applied to poverty alleviation and tourism development in small islands and developing countries. His forthcoming book, Poverty Alleviation through Tourism Development: A Comprehensive and Integrated Approach, co-authored with Manuel Rivera, is scheduled for publication this fall.

Visit Rosen College鈥檚 website to learn more about at 麻豆原创.

Although this paints a grim picture, the future can be bright again for Puerto Rico if tourism expansion is used as a primary strategy for economic recovery. Puerto Rico needs an aggressive tourism marketing strategy as well as a tourism investment program to update and expand its current hotel inventory.

Tourism can help stimulate Puerto Rico鈥檚 economy by increasing demand, encouraging spending and creating jobs, which will generate revenue for the government to pay off its debt. Other Caribbean islands, such as the Dominican Republic, have leveraged their natural resources to build a strong tourism sector that supports job creation and economic growth.

This is the optimal time for tourism expansion in Puerto Rico. The U.S. economy is getting stronger and the Caribbean is the most desired foreign vacation choice for Americans. However, despite desirability, Puerto Rico has lost its competitive edge to other regional destinations and as a result, has ceded market share. Outdated hotel inventory is also a contributing factor 鈥� very few hotel rooms have been added to the island over the last 20 years.

The bottom line is Puerto Rico has a great product; they just have to sell it better than ever before. The future of the island depends on it.

Dr. Robertico Croes is associate dean, administration and finance, and interim chair of the Department of Tourism, Events & Attractions at the 麻豆原创鈥檚 Rosen College of Hospitality Management. He is also the author of The Small Island Paradox: Tourism specialization as a potential solution. Dr. Croes can be reached at Robertico.Croes@ucf.edu.

Visit Rosen College鈥檚 website to learn more about at 麻豆原创.

Dr. Robertico Croes, professor and chair of the Department of Tourism, Events & Attractions at 麻豆原创’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management, served as guest editor of the special issue, “How might tourism contribute to poverty reduction in Latin American countries?” to investigate tourism development challenges in the region.

Dr. Croes gathered a team of researchers with expertise in Latin America and the Caribbean to demonstrate how economic and social forces impact the relationship between tourism and poverty reduction in Latin American countries.聽 The issue contains seven articles on topics ranging from the challenge of managing resources at cultural sites like Machu Picchu and Cuzco in Peru, to reflections on archaeology, poverty and tourism in the Bolivian Amazon.

鈥淢ost studies assume that the benefits from tourism will just spread to the poor, but mixed results suggest the link is not automatic,” said Dr. Croes. “We need small but powerful solutions with immediate and tangible results that percolate to the poor masses, such as job creation. This would lead to increasing self-confidence, motivation and recovery.”

鈥淎s a leader in hospitality management, we鈥檙e thrilled to partner with 麻豆原创鈥檚 Rosen College to create this unique program that will engage our local residents and businesses in showing visitors to our area just how special it is,鈥� said Elliott Falcione, executive director, BACVB. 鈥淲hat better way to tell our story than by those who are living it?鈥�

The Certified Destination Ambassador Program was tailored to reflect the specifics of visitation to the Bradenton, Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key area. The BACVB worked closely with the research arm of 麻豆原创鈥檚 Rosen College to develop the professional development program, which was designed to have academic integrity. The resulting Certified Destination Ambassador Program encourages members of the community to have a working knowledge of the area in regards to visitation.

鈥淥ur mission is to support the tourism industry throughout Central Florida,鈥� said Dr. Robertico Croes, director of the Dick Pope Sr. Institute for Tourism Studies at 麻豆原创鈥檚 Rosen College. 鈥淭hrough this partnership, we will provide training programs and research support to the BACVB, which will ultimately help strengthen the area鈥檚 tourism industry.鈥�

Steps to becoming a Certified Destination Ambassador include attending BACVB Ambassador Summits, offering suggestions and recruiting other Ambassadors within industries, and creating personal plans to influence return visitation to the area.

In addition, the Ambassadors are asked to support the BACVB and the Ambassador Program by using social media to promote the area, displaying the Ambassador identification at business locations and actively represent the area as a member of their local industry associations. The Certified Destination Ambassador program is an earned, permanent designation and can be viewed as a part of each Ambassador鈥檚 professional credentials.

For more information regarding the application process, please visit .

The Bradenton, Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key area is located on Florida鈥檚 gulf coast between St. Petersburg and Sarasota.聽The Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau promotes tourism to Bradenton, Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key area and the rest of Manatee County, including Palmetto, Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach, Cortez, Ellenton, Myakka City, Ft. Hamer, Lakewood Ranch and Parrish, through domestic and international advertising, public relations and marketing efforts. For more information on the Bradenton, Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key area, please visit .

Since 1979, the Dick Pope Sr. Institute for Tourism Studies has been conducting proprietary and public domain research, promulgating information to the public at large about the contributions of the hospitality and tourism industry, especially along economic, sociological, environmental, and quality-of-life dimensions, and carrying out credit and non-credit educational activities. Research has been conducted in countries, such as Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, China, Aruba, Ecuador, South Africa and South Korea for destination management organizations, convention and visitor bureaus, hotels, hospitals, vacation homes, restaurants, theme parks and more.

鈥淭he hospitality industry is currently by far the most important pillar of our local economy,鈥� said Gregory E. Elias, founder, organizer and sole financial sponsor of the Festival. 鈥淓vent tourism is picking up speed and is now the most important addition to enhancing our hospitality sector. That is why it鈥檚 important to assess and improve this service.鈥�

According to the study, event organizers invested $5.6 million in the 2012 Festival, which was 14% more than in 2011. The 2012 festival churned out nearly $20 million in the local economy, exceeding last year鈥檚 festival by more than 20%.

The average tourist, whose main purpose to visit Curacao was attending the Festival, spent an unprecedented $299 per day, which is equivalent to $1,854 per trip. A total of 5,312 tourists attended the 2012 Festival, an increase of nearly 8% from 2011.

鈥淭he Festival has been a spectacular success for the island, attracting crowds of visitors during the two days of the Festival and enhancing the destination鈥檚 image,鈥� said Dr. Robertico Croes, associate director of the Dick Pope Sr. Institute for Tourism Studies. 鈥淒ue to the Festival, a significant amount of promotion was provided to the island of Curacao, the image of Curacao has become more positive and stronger, and the economic impact of the Festival has been momentous.鈥�

Over the past three years, the Festival has attracted 12,542 tourists, generated nearly $22 million in direct spending, and helped contribute nearly $40 million to the Curacao economy.

Satisfaction and quality level have improved significantly since 2010, indicating that the Festival has been able to continuously exceed attendees鈥� expectations. Additionally, the experience gathered at the Festival is becoming more memorable, and the value perception of attendees has increased significantly over the past three years. High levels of memorable enjoyment and socialization indicate why more Festival attendees return to Curacao annually to enjoy the Festival.

Since 1979, the Dick Pope Sr. Institute for Tourism Studies has been conducting proprietary and public domain research, promulgating information to the public at large about the contributions of the hospitality and tourism industry, especially along economic, sociological, environmental, and quality-of-life dimensions, and carrying out credit and non-credit educational activities.

Research has been conducted in countries, such as Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, China, Aruba, Ecuador, South Africa and South Korea for destination management organizations, convention and visitor bureaus, hotels, hospitals, vacation homes, restaurants, theme parks and more.

鈥淲e were surprised to learn that previous studies were oblivious of the concepts of marginal productivity and a clear understanding of cost within decision-making rules of price setting,鈥� said the study鈥檚 co-author, Dr. Robertico Croes. 鈥淭he literature stated that discounting in hotels does not work, and therefore the recommendation was to stick with stability in pricing. However, this recommendation is inconsistent with economic theory, which claims that the ideal pricing scheme is one that eliminates excess demand during peak times while serving guests at cost during off-peak times.鈥�

Croes, a professor at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the 麻豆原创, along with the University of Florida鈥檚 Dr. Kelly J. Semrad, argued in their study that demand in the lodging industry is highly uncertain and that its core product 鈥� room nights 鈥� is perishable; and therefore, price stability would not add to the profitability of a hotel.

The new study suggests that in order to cope with uncertainty and information overload from the market, the best strategy for hotel managers is to look at the immediate past. In other words, the price of last week鈥檚 rooms would be the best predictor for the next week. If the price of the previous week is above average it will revert to the mean; if, on the other hand, the price is below average, the prediction is that the price will increase in the next week. The study demonstrated this simple idea of reversion to the mean with a so-called cobb-web model.

According to Croes, this study also departs from previous research, as it embraces hotel manager鈥檚 decisions for discounting.

鈥淪cience is premised on explaining and predicting behavior, and this study investigates the behavior of managers in hotel room price setting,鈥� said Croes. 鈥淧revious studies were preaching more to managers on how they should behave in price setting rather than trying to understand how managers behave when setting prices.鈥�

Ultimately, the study provides the rationale for why discounting works, as well as a simple decision making rule for practitioners: apply marginal productivity.

According to Croes,聽this study bridges the gap between the industry, which has been practicing discounting, and the lodging empirical literature, which thus far has eschewed discounting as a viable pricing strategy.

Through an extensive survey of Aruban visitors and potential visitors, the study revealed that a mobile travel guide app, with specific capabilities, would overwhelmingly be accepted by Aruban tourists.

鈥淩oughly 87% of those surveyed expressed that a smartphone app would most definitely improve their travel experience,鈥� said Dr. Manuel Rivera, who co-led the research project. 鈥淲e also found that tourists were looking for specific features that would not only make the app functional, but also practical in today鈥檚 digital age.鈥�

The Official Aruba Travel Guide app, available through iTunes and Google Play, operates offline, which allows Aruban visitors to access many of the app鈥檚 features without connecting to the internet and being subsequently charged a roaming fee by their wireless carrier. Some of the offline capabilities include: maps and navigation tools; ratings and reviews for the top attractions, restaurants, bars, hotels and shops; customized itineraries based on the user鈥檚 travel interests and trip dates; access to coupons and vouchers; and an augmented reality function, which displays pop-up factoids about a particular place or business simply by focusing the user鈥檚 mobile device camera on a specific location.

The virtual travel guide also consists of online, interactive features that allow users to share their own reviews, as well as their photos with various social networks. According to Dr. Rivera, the interactive features serve a dual purpose: helping tourists enhance their travel experience, while also promoting Aruban tourism and businesses through the app鈥檚 social networking functions.

鈥淪ocial networking acts as word-of-mouth marketing, so if a user shares their vacation photos through the app, then people within their social network, who see those photos, might be enticed to come to Aruba to have a similar experience,鈥� said Dr. Rivera. 鈥淭he flipside is that the original app user may not have otherwise discovered all of their travel experiences in Aruba if it weren鈥檛 for the app. So the app really serves a dual purpose.鈥�

According to Rayon Koolman, digital marketer for the Aruba Tourism Authority, no data has been collected yet regarding the app鈥檚 impact on Aruban tourism; however, the app has already generated nearly 10,000 downloads since its summer 2012 launch.

鈥淲e have no real figures or indicators on the impact the app has had on tourism yet, but we have received a lot of positive feedback,鈥� said Koolman. 鈥淭he research that Dr. Rivera and his team conducted proved to be very useful in the development of the app.鈥�

Dr. Rivera, Dr. Robertico Croes and Yun Ying Zhong were recognized earlier this year for their involvement in the app, as their research article Developing Mobile Tourism Services For A Destination: The Case Of Aruba won the Best Paper award at the 17th annual Graduate Education and Graduate Student Research Conference in Hospitality and Tourism.

Research for the app is part of an ongoing partnership between the聽Dick Pope Sr. Institute for Tourism Studies and the聽Aruba Tourism Authority to strategically enhance Aruba’s tourism industry.

Students in Instructor A鈥橰ion Raymond鈥檚 Event Management Summer 2012 course had spent six weeks learning and preparing to host a new award banquet known as the Southern Summer Soiree.

The inaugural Soiree, which honored Dr. Deborah Breiter and Dr. Robertico Croes for their contributions to the college鈥檚 Department of Tourism, Events and Attractions, was attended by more than 30 faculty and industry professionals.

In preparation of the event, students chose as a team leader to oversee the event鈥檚 $1,450 budget and delegated various responsibilities among the rest of the class. Students were responsible for all aspects of the planning and execution of the Soiree, including the creation of event鈥檚 concept, room layout and d茅cor, catering and entertainment coordination, hosting and managing the event鈥檚 schedule.

鈥淭he purpose of this event was to provide my students with hands-on experience in the six stages of event planning, which include: anticipation, arrival, atmosphere, appetite, activities and amenities,鈥� said Raymond. 鈥淒espite only having six weeks to put the event together, this class did an amazing job preparing and executing the entire event. They put a lot of hard work into this event and I know they took away a lot from this experience. 鈥�

According to graduating senior Chelsea Bettmann, 鈥渢hroughout this process, we learned all about the business side of events, from pricing and knowing how and where to order things from, to being able to deal with unexpected issues and thinking on your feet. This was a great learning experience for all of us and it was extremely rewarding to see all our hard work come together like it did.鈥�