This month marks a significant milestone for the Tourism Research Centre (TRC) at Edinburgh Napier University as it celebrates its third anniversary. Since its launch in 2021, the Centre has established itself as a hub of impactful and collaborative research in the field of tourism and has not only met but exceeded many of its Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), delivering on its ambitious vision to be a leading voice in tourism research locally, nationally, and globally.
The Centre was conceived with a clear mission: to produce and disseminate high-quality, impactful research that supports sustainable, inclusive, and resilient tourism development. True to this mission, the TRC has led and contributed to numerous interdisciplinary research initiatives focused on, for example, sustainable destination development, community engagement and placemaking, visual methods research and economic impact in the tourism sector. The TRC has also played a vital role in supporting postgraduate research, mentoring early-career researchers, and providing students with opportunities to engage in applied research projects.
A key strength of the Centre has been its commitment to working collaboratively. Over the past three years, the TRC has extended and built strong partnerships with a range of external organisations including VisitScotland, the British Council, UNESCO and Edinburgh Tourism Action Group. These collaborations have enabled the Centre to co-create research that directly informs policy and practice, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient tourism industry.
The TRC has also fostered vibrant relationships with researchers from across the UK and internationally. Drawing on the expertise of Edinburgh Napier colleagues, the Centre has brought together a multi-disciplinary team of academics and research students from, for example, the School of Arts & Creative Industries and the School of Applied Sciences. We also work closely with our Visiting Academics from around the world, whose insights help to expand our global reach and academic exchange. These partnerships have enriched the Centre’s research output and extended its influence across academic and professional communities.
Among the Centre’s notable achievements are a series of high-impact publications, successful funding applications, commercial projects and the delivery of knowledge exchange events and workshops that have brought together academics, industry leaders, alumni, research students and policymakers. This year’s annual Symposium on Innovative Practice in Business Events will be held on 24th June. Our LinkedIn page is an active platform for engagement and dissemination, featuring a fortnightly blog written by our researchers, research students, alumni, and visiting academics — sharing knowledge, best practices, and innovative ideas with the wider tourism community. Please follow the for all our news.
Looking ahead, the TRC remains focused on its core themes of sustainable tourism destinations; cultural heritage management; wellbeing and health tourism; critical studies in tourism; and sustainable festival and event experiences. The Centre is well positioned to continue its leadership in tourism research, particularly as the industry navigates the complex challenges of climate change, evolving consumer behaviour, and technological disruption.
This milestone year is also a moment of transition, as I will retire at the end of August 2025. I was delighted to be appointed as Lead in 2022 and have thoroughly enjoyed shaping the Centre’s vision and success, working with colleagues, businesses and organisations to build a centre of excellence in tourism research. I leave the TRC in the very capable hands of my colleagues – more on this in a blog towards the end of the summer.
As we celebrate this three-year milestone, we extend our thanks to all the collaborators, supporters, and researchers who have contributed to the Centre’s success. The journey so far has laid a strong foundation for continued interdisciplinary growth and impact, and we look forward to what the future holds.
Written by Professor Anna Leask, Tourism Research Centre Lead