Dr. Jess Ponting, pictured left, one of AUIP’s newest faculty to come on board with our programs, has been busy opening The Center for Surf Research at San Diego State University.
The Center, which is said to be the first of its kind in the world, launched in September at San Diego State University. The focus, initially, will be studying the impact of surf tourism, with a particular focus on coastal communities in the less-developed countries and the concept of sustainable tourism. Classes will be offered in this topic within the university’s larger sustainable tourism program.
According to the Center’s website, it will lead surf tourism to a more sustainable path by:
- Connecting with the surf industry and surf tourism industry to create a progressive research agenda;
- Distributing specialist knowledge to the wider surfing community, including: governments, the surf industry, tourism developers, destination communities, non-profits, and tourists;
- Shaping responsible global citizens through experiential learning opportunities; and,
- Inspiring active stakeholder engagement with the social and economic development of destination communities, sustainable use of their resources, and conservation of their critical environments.
For a news article about the Center, read the San Diego Union-Tribune article here.
In addition, through Aztecs Abroad, Jess and his wife Sandra will be taking students to New Zealand this winter and Australia and Fiji next summer to further students’ education on sustainability issues.
