Dick Pope Sr. Institute for Tourism Studies


The Rosen College, through the Dick Pope Sr. Research Institute, conducts extensive research for public and private enterprises locally and globally. In 1979 the University of Central Florida established the Dick Pope Sr. Institute for Tourism Studies. The Institute was established for the purpose of (1) conducting proprietary and public domain research, (2) 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 (3) carrying out credit and non-credit educational activities. Activities at the Institute, especially research, were intermittent for much of its existence. Since 2005 the Institute has secured over $1.2 million in contracts and grants for research purposes. The Institute’s client list is extensive, and includes, as a categorical sampling, destination management organizations, convention and visitor bureaus, hotels, hospitals, vacation homes, restaurants, and theme parks.

Furthermore, the Institute has played a significant role in facilitating over $4 million in non-credit educational programs with international partners. UCF Rosen College doctoral students are extraordinarily essential to the Institute’s ability to meet its objectives and its commitments. In addition, contracts and grants funded through the Institute have been an invaluable source of external funds to support graduate assistantships for the doctoral students.

Applied Innovative Research

The Dick Pope Sr. Institute for Tourism Studies is the intelligent choice for private and public domain hospitality research, both domestically and abroad. We have conducted research for organizations in countries such as Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa and South Korea. Our client list includes destination management organizations, convention and visitor bureaus, hotels, hospitals, vacation homes, restaurants, theme parks and more.

Improving the Quality of Tourism

We are dedicated to increasing the benefits of tourism through research, public awareness and education. We invite you to peruse our portfolio of research, publications, white paper series and upcoming events.

White Papers

A Tradition of Excellence

The Institute offers non-credit educational programs aimed at improving professionalism in the industry. It was established in 1979 after receiving $25,000 from the Florida Public Relations Association, Orange Blossom Chapter. The name honors the late Dick Pope Sr., the former owner of Cypress Gardens and the first commercial tourist entrepreneur in Florida.

In 1983, the Institute’s advisory board successfully lobbied the Florida University System’s Board of Regents and created the Hospitality Management undergraduate degree program at UCF. Its successor, the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, oversees baccalaureate program activities.

Consult our Experts

Benefit from access to more than 40 researchers in the hospitality and tourism industry. Our Institute operates under the guidance of Dr. Abraham Pizam, Dr. Robertico Croes, Dr. Tadayuki Hara and graduate research assistants. For more information, please contact Dr. Robertico Croes.