Center Director
"After three decades conducting research about the social, environmental, and economic impacts of tourism on destination communities, I have concluded that the tourism engine is greatly underutilized. Tourism can be a much more powerful force for enhancing community quality of life and regional entrepreneurial success."
Timothy Tyrrell, Ph.D.
Tim Tyrrell is a Ph.D. economist who for three decades has specialized in tourism economy. He is a member of the Arizona Tourism Alliance, the International Association of Scientific Experts in Tourism, the Travel and Tourism Research Association and the International Association of Tourism Economists.
Dr. Tyrrell started at ASU’s School of Community Resources and Development in 2005. He served as associate dean of the College of Public Programs from 2006-2007. He founded the Megapolitan Tourism Research Center in 2007, which is now known as the Center for Sustainable Tourism.
Dr. Tyrrell taught at the University of Rhode Island from 1978 to 2005, and is currently an Emeritus Professor at URI. He received a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Cornell University in 1979.
Since then, he has conducted tourism research studies in the United States and overseas, served as an advisor to state agencies, and published papers on the economics of tourism.
Sustainable Revenue Management
Dr. Tyrrell has embarked on this new research initiative seeking to bridge the gap between day to day accommodation price management (rates and dates) and sustainability (green marketing and cost reductions). His approaches are based on the economic principles behind risk management and consumer behavior.
Research History
Most of Dr. Tyrrell’s work has been to determine the economic impact of tourism on various communities. However, almost every economic research project has revealed environmental, social and economic issues beyond the scope of the research that were of much greater importance. A broad, trans-disciplinary approach to the dynamics of community development and the role of tourism in this development is clearly needed.
Please click here to learn more about Dr. Tyrrell's research projects from 1979 to 2004, or visit our presentations and publications sections via the menu located on the left.
