Minkyung (Min) Park

Park is an Associate Professor in Tourism and Events Management whose recent research focuses on human-robot interaction in tourism and hospitality, social and economic sustainability, ethical consumption, and consumer activism. She explores the complex relationship between tourism and societal phenomena, focusing on issues such as overtourism, social media, and the sharing economy. Her expertise also extends to experiential education and generational cohorts. In addition to her recent research, she has conducted extensive studies on tourism growth and visitor/destination management in both urban and rural settings. Through collaborations with national and international partners, she remains actively engaged in various research initiatives. A prolific scholar, Park has over 90 publications, including peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, professional presentations, conference proceedings, and technical reports. Her expertise in global tourism has earned media recognition in outlets such as CGTN, USA Today, and Voice of America-Russia. Park has also played significant administrative roles at George Mason University. She served as Acting Assistant Vice President for International Campus Operations at the Provost Office and Dean of Administration at George Mason University Korea, Mason’s international campus in Incheon, South Korea. During her eight-year administration tenure, she oversaw the campus's establishment and operations, fostered collaborations with foreign institutions, directed study abroad programs, and facilitated cooperative agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs). In the 2022-2023 academic year, Park was a Fulbright U.S. Scholar in Korea, further strengthening her contributions to academic and cultural exchange. Before joining George Mason University in 2006, she was a research manager at the Maryland Office of Tourism Development, where she managed research projects and contributed to analyses and technical reports. Her extensive academic and professional experience reflects her commitment to advancing tourism research and education on a global scale.

Research Interests

• International tourism
• Human-machine interaction in the tourism and hospitality field
• Tourism growth issues and sustainability
• Interplay of tourism with other societal phenomena (e.g., sharing economy, social media)
• Experiential education
• Destination management and visitor experience 
• Social and cultural impacts of tourism
• Cultural and heritage tourism
• Globalization and Higher Education
• International Education

Education

• PhD, Park, Recreation, and Tourism Science, Texas A&M University (2020)
• MA, Leisure Studies, Pennsylvania State University (1996)

Research and Awards

Awards

• Fulbright US Scholar in Korea, US Department of State (2022)

Research

• Park, M., & Jang, H. (2024) Beyond Efficacy: How self-esteem and guilt drive participation in tourism boycotts. Tourism and Hospitality. 10.3390/tourhosp5040072
• Daniels, M., & Park, M. (2024). Urban walkability and tour bus travel. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 47 (September), 100789. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213078024000574?dgcid=coauthor
• Park, M., & Jang, H. (2023). Motivations of tourism boycott differed by demographic variables: A case of “No Travel to Japan Campaign”. 이벤트컨벤션연구 (Event Convention Research), 51.
• Park, M., & Daniels, M. (2022). The impact of tour bus cruising and idling on greenhouse gas emissions. Current Issues in Tourism, 26(6), 863-867. https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/WIBNSSHTJKT8JSPHHM6T/fulltarget=10.1080/13683500.2022.2105196
• Park, M., & Jones, T. (2021). Going virtual: The impact of COVID-19 on internships in tourism, events, and hospitality education. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Education. 33(3), 176-193. https://doi.org/10.1080/10963758.2021.1907198
• Jang, H., & Park, M. (2020). Social media, media, and urban transformation in the context of overtourism. International Journal of Tourism Cities, 6 (1), 233-260. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJTC-08-2019-0145
• Park, M. (2019). The sharing economy, regulations, and the role of local government. International Journal of Tourism Cities, 6 (1), 158-174. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJTC-08-2019-0122
• Daniels, M., Harmon L., Brayley R.E., Vese, R., & Park, M. (2019). Honor flight: Recognition of preeminent-mature tourists. Annals of Tourism Research, 74 (January), 95-107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2018.10.006
• Park, M., Derrien, M., Geczi, E., & Stokowski, P. (2019). Grappling with Growth: Perceptions of development and preservation in faster- and slower-growing amenity communities. Society and Natural Resources, 32(1), 73-92. https://doi.org/10.1080/08941920.2018.1501527
• Cicchetti, K., & Park, M. (2018). Student affairs and offshore branch campuses: A case study of practitioner experiences. Journal of College Student Development, 59 (2), 238-242. doi:10.1353/csd.2018.0021.
• Daniels, M., Harmon L., Barrow M., Vese, R., Park, M., & Brayley R.E. (2018). Spatial dynamics of tour bus transport within urban destinations. Tourism Management, 64 (February), 129-141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2017.08.007

Courses Taught

• TOUR 210: Global Understanding through Travel and Tourism
• HNRS 260: Global Tourism Issues
• TOUR 241: Practicum
• SRTM 342: Wine and Craft Beverage Field Experience
• TOUR 352: Cultural and Heritage Tourism
• TOUR 430: Destination Marketing and Management
• TOUR 490: Internship
• TOUR 499: Independent Study
• EDUC 897: Direct Reading (as faculty mentor)