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Professor John Fletcher is an internationally renowned economist, highly regarded for his pioneering work in tourism impact and development research. He is the author of numerous articles and book chapters including co-author of the leading textbook, Tourism Principles & Practice, now in its 4th edition. He is also the editor of the International Journal of Tourism Research.
John is a Fellow of the Tourism Society and a Fellow of the International Academy for the Study of Tourism (IAST). Prior to BU, John was Head of Research and Postgraduate Programmes at the University of Surrey and Director of the Institute of economic research, University of Wales, where he undertook his PhD in Economics.
John’s specific research interests are tourism development, impacts, economic model building, terrorism and climate change. “These are some of the most pressing and challenging areas of research in the field of tourism”, says John, “and my specialist knowledge in small islands has taken me all over the world to some of the remotest and exotic places”. He’s undertaken research projects for national governments and international agencies throughout the Caribbean, the South Pacific, the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean as well as for many countries in Europe. His work has been endorsed by the World Tourism Organisation, the World Travel and Tourism Council, the World Bank, the EU, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). He’s also advised the House of Commons Select Committee on the scope and accuracy of tourism statistics in the UK.
Undergoing fieldwork poses its own set of challenges. From Scotland to Samoa and from Poole to Palau, John has had his fair share of scary moments. “Over the years I have been caught up in civil riots, sheltered in basements from hurricanes, been shot at and survived emergency landings,” says John. “But this all adds to the challenge and enjoyment of the work.”
Given his credentials, both as an author and as a consultant, it’s no surprise that John is regularly called upon by the media to comment on national and global tourism issues. He’s able to respond quickly to issues, ranging from the 2004 Tsunami disaster, to the economic opportunities of the Olympics – an issue very close to home with the 2012 sailing events being hosted nearby in Portland, Dorset.
One of John’s proudest moments was creating the International Centre for Tourism & Hospitality Research, to help attract and nurture the next generation of postgraduate researchers, “something that will carry on long after I have retired”. He’s also responsible for BU’s Graduate School which offers training and support for PhD students across the University. Its role and function and has played a key role in growing BU’s research capacity over the past 8 years.
As with many academics his work is also a hobby. “I am at my most relaxed when in front of the PC building economic models," says John. And he’s never been busier. So what is the biggest pressing issue the world faces in his area of research right now? “You name it – poverty, climate change, political instability – they are all pressing issues.”
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