Author Bios (50 Words for each Author)

Whitney Knollenberg is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management at North Carolina State University. Her research focuses on tourism leadership and the influence of policy, planning, and partnerships in sustainable tourism development.

Mitch Carstens is a graduate student in Recreation Sciences at East Carolina University. His research interests lie in sustainable tourism development, rural tourism, and food tourism.

Jane Harrison is North Carolina Sea Grant’s coastal economics specialist. Her research informs coastal decision makers about the intersections between environmental resource use and economic development. Harrison earned her doctorate in forest social science from Oregon State University and a M.S. degree in environmental economics from The Ohio State University.

Emily Yeager is an Assistant Professor at East Carolina University. Her research focuses on sustainable tourism and community development. Her current research investigates the role of sharing economy services in rural community development.

Carla Barbieri is a Professor in Sustainable Tourism (North Carolina State University, USA) where she leads the “Agritourism & Societal Wellbeing” lab. She investigates the economic, socio-cultural, and environmental impacts of agritourism at the farm household and society levels. She also studies the sustainability of niche tourism.

Abstract (150 Words)

This presentation outlines a six stage mixed method process for the sustainable development of the North Carolina Oyster Trail (NCOT). The NCOT has been proposed as means to increase consumer awareness of and preference for North Carolina-grown oysters. In order to sustainably develop the NCOT this process utilizes both qualitative and quantitative data from multiple stakeholders to identify the supply and demand for the NCOT. The process is notably novel in that it provides the opportunity to pilot test and evaluate experiences that could be included in the NCOT. This mixed method process could be utilized in the development of other regional tourism products. The study as a whole advances the understanding of how food tourism experiences can be developed and consumers' preferences for food tourism experiences.

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Growing the North Carolina Oyster Trail (NCOT): A mixed method approach

This presentation outlines a six stage mixed method process for the sustainable development of the North Carolina Oyster Trail (NCOT). The NCOT has been proposed as means to increase consumer awareness of and preference for North Carolina-grown oysters. In order to sustainably develop the NCOT this process utilizes both qualitative and quantitative data from multiple stakeholders to identify the supply and demand for the NCOT. The process is notably novel in that it provides the opportunity to pilot test and evaluate experiences that could be included in the NCOT. This mixed method process could be utilized in the development of other regional tourism products. The study as a whole advances the understanding of how food tourism experiences can be developed and consumers' preferences for food tourism experiences.