Expertise: Hospitality Management; Destination Marketing and Management, Technology and Innovation Management; Collaboration Strategies; Digital and Social Media Strategies

William C. Peeper Preeminent Chair Professorship in Destination Marketing

Dr. Youcheng Wang is the William C. Peeper Preeminent Chair Professor in destination marketing at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at University of Central Florida. He is also an elected fellow of the International Academy for the Study of Tourism. His research and consulting interest focuses on hospitality marketing and management, destination marketing and management, customer relationship management, collaborative strategies, and technology management. He is the author of four books and more than 150 scientific publications. He is the co-editor of Journal of Destination Marketing & Management and serve on the Editorial Board of multiple international academic journals in the domain of hospitality and tourism marketing and management. He is a frequent speaker at international conferences and industry forums.

Dr. Wang has received numerous national and international awards for his excellence in and contribution to research, including the Haworth Press Best Paper Award (2003); Researcher of the Year Award at UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management (2005); Keeling Dissertation Award by the Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA) (2005); Best Paper Award at the International Society of Travel and Tourism Educators (ISTTE) Research Conference (2006); Distinguished Researcher Award at the University of Central Florida (2006); Journal of Travel and Tourism Marketing Best Article of the Year Award (2008); Research Incentive Award at the University of Central Florida (2009); the Haworth Press Best Paper Award Nomination (2009); Top 2% of Scientists Worldwide for Author Career Citations in Sports, Leisure and Tourism (2022); Michael D. Olson Research Achievement Award (2023).

Dr. Wang earned his Master’s from Purdue University and his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. He is a member of several professional associations including Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA), International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education (I-CHRIE), International Society of Travel and Tourism Educators (ISTTE), and Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP). He is also serving on several boards including the International Drive Chamber of Commerce, the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association, the Legacy Pointe Retirement Community.