Dr. Jorge Ridderstaat is an Associate Professor at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, University of Central Florida. With a research focus on tourism economics, destination development, and consumer behavior, his work explores the complex interactions between tourists, investors, businesses, governments, and local communities. His research has significantly contributed to understanding tourism’s role in economic, social, and environmental sustainability.

Dr. Ridderstaat has an extensive academic and professional background. He earned his Ph.D. in Tourism Economics from the Free University of Amsterdam, a Master’s degree in Economics from Erasmus University Rotterdam, and a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from The Hague University of Applied Sciences. Before joining academia, he served as Director of the Research Department and Economist at the Central Bank of Aruba, where he played a pivotal role in economic analysis and policy development.

Throughout his career, Dr. Ridderstaat has published extensively, authoring over 85 publications, including peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and reports. His work has been cited over 2,300 times, and he actively contributes as an editor and reviewer for leading academic journals in tourism, hospitality, and economics. His recent publications include studies on tourism resilience, financial well-being and health tourism, and the economic impact of destination marketing.

Dr. Ridderstaat is also deeply engaged in academic service and mentorship, having served as a dissertation advisor, research mentor, and committee member for numerous doctoral and master’s students. His teaching philosophy emphasizes applied learning, critical thinking, and data-driven decision-making in hospitality and tourism management.

At the Rosen College, Dr. Ridderstaat teaches courses in hospitality financial management, applied quantitative analysis, and research methods. He has received multiple awards for teaching excellence and research contributions, including the UCF Research Incentive Award.

His professional affiliations include memberships in the International Association for Tourism Economics, the American Association of Wine Economists, and the Caribbean Tourism Researchers Network. Dr. Ridderstaat frequently collaborates with industry partners and policymakers to provide research-driven insights for sustainable tourism development.

Courses taught:
HFT 1931 Applied Quantitative Analysis for the Hospitality and Tourism Industry
HFT 2401 Hospitality Industry Financial Accounting
HFT 3465 Applied Quantitative Analysis for the Hospitality and Tourism Industry
HFT 4464 Hospitality Industry Finance
PAF 7804 Advanced Research Methods