Dr. Robertico Croes, a professor at UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management, is widely recognized as a leading expert in tourism economics and management, with a focus on human development in small and developing economies. He is the Editor of the Rosen Research Review and has authored six books, including Small Island and Small Destination Tourism and A Modern Guide to Tourism Economics. A 2024 UCF Luminary Award winner, with over 150 journal articles and proceedings, seven books, an H-Index of 40, an i10-Index of 71, and 6,434 citations, he was recognized by Stanford University as being among the top 2% of cited authors in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.

Dr. Croes co-authored the report Opportunities for Transforming Coastal and Marine Tourism, presented at the United Nations Ocean Conference in Lisbon, and leads the Infectious Disease and Travel Health Project, which received $4.5 million in funding through UCF’s Academic Excellence Award. He has held numerous leadership roles at Rosen College, including Director of the Dick Pope Sr. Institute for Tourism Studies, Associate Dean, Department Chair of Tourism, Events, and Attractions, and Interim Chair of the Hospitality Services department.

Committed to evidence-based practices that foster poverty reduction, social equity, and inclusion, using advanced data science technologies to enhance research, Dr. Croes specializes in econometric applications in hospitality, tourism demand forecasting, economic impact analysis, and using tourism for poverty alleviation and sustainable development, particularly in small islands and developing nations. He actively collaborates with stakeholders from academia, government, and industry to ensure research translates into real-world improvements.

Dr. Croes has shared his research globally, delivering presentations in countries such as Aruba, Costa Rica, Bonaire, Ecuador, Italy, and Mexico, among many others. He has also presented at prestigious conferences worldwide, including in Cyprus, Germany, South Africa, and South Korea. His consulting work has spanned the U.S., Italy, Brazil, Nicaragua, Curacao, Bonaire, and Grenada, where he has contributed to numerous tourism development projects.

Dr. Croes has secured approximately $15 million in external funding through grants, gifts, donations, and continued education programs. He has been recognized as the foremost faculty member in his field at the college, playing a vital role in guiding and chairing thesis and dissertation committees for graduate students. Additionally, he has served as a principal investigator for tourism master plans in small islands and developing nations and currently serves as the Tourism Strategist and Advisor for Bonaire.

Recognized globally for his scholarly contributions, Dr. Croes’ research has been published in prestigious journals such as Annals of Tourism Research, Tourism Economics, Journal of Travel Research, and Tourism Management. He has served on the editorial boards of 12 academic journals and has been honored with numerous research awards, including the 2015 Thea Sinclair Award, the 2015 UCF Research Incentive Award, and the 2015 Best Graduate Student Research Paper award.

Before joining academia, Dr. Croes held significant roles in government and public service, previously serving as the Minister of Economic Affairs, Tourism, and Finance in Aruba, where he played a key role in shaping economic policy. His extensive experience in tourism, foreign affairs, and policy includes positions such as member of Aruba’s Parliament, Director of Aruba Foreign Affairs, Chair of the Dutch-Aruban Cultural Commission, and Vice President of the Caribbean Tourism Organization. He also served as Deputy Secretary-General of the Christian Democratic Organization for the Americas and as a Member of the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino).

Dr. Croes earned his doctorate from the University of Twente in the Netherlands, focusing his dissertation on quantitative modeling of tourism demand, tourism development, and government intervention. Throughout his career, he has made significant contributions as a researcher, academic, and government leader, positively impacting millions of lives. His personal values and motivations are evident in his dedication to mentoring others, sharing knowledge, and fostering growth in those around him.