The tourism industry, despite its size and importance, has historically lacked strong standards, careful scrutiny, and oversight. There has also been a lack of insightful research to assist destination communities, businesses, and travelers in responsibly developing this huge, widely-scattered industry.

CREST was founded to counter this deficiency in meaningful data and analysis. It was also founded on the belief that tourism research needs to be more accessible and digestible to destination communities, businesses, and travelers.

Our industry report, The Case for Responsible Travel: Trends & Statistics, has been released since 2013. In addition to the general consumer, business, and destination trends that support the case for a sustainable tourism approach, the annual reports spotlight a pressing theme for the year.

Further, to diversify and internationalize our research partnerships, we created the Academic Affiliates program where we have established affiliations with leading tourism professors at dozens of universities, both in the United States and around the world. This model allows us to collaboratively conduct research with institutions and faculty across a range of disciplines and geographical regions. Every month we conduct round table discussions, networking opportunities, or solutions-oriented webinars that bring together our Academic Affiliates and partners.

Whether we produce the research ourselves, collaborate with others, or compile existing research, our goal is to provide relevant, actionable, and low-cost research to those who need it.

Examples of past research include:

  • Environmental, social, and economic impacts of cruise tourism in Alaska
  • Impact of climate change and the pandemic on the Cuban tourism industry
  • Food waste reduction and prevention opportunities for the Caribbean hotel sector
  • Economic impact assessment of bear hunting versus bear viewing in the Great Bear Rainforest of British Columbia