Stacy R. Tomas, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Tourism Extension Specialist
Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Mgmt.
Campus Box 8004,
3028C Biltmore Hall
NC State University
Raleigh, NC 27695-8004
Phone: 919-513-7407
Fax: 919-515-3687
Click here to visit my faculty page
Stacy is a native of Vanderbilt, Texas. She joined North Carolina State University and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management in July 2003. Before arriving at NC State, she received her Bachelor of Science degree (cum laude graduate) in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences at Texas A&M University with an emphasis on wildlife ecology in 1997. With a growing interest in the human dimensions aspect of natural resource management and marketing, she pursued graduate work.
She completed her Master's of Science degree at Texas A&M University in the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences with an emphasis in marketing in August 2000. Her Master's thesis research explored the effectiveness of service quality at the Fort Worth Zoo and its relationship to visitor satisfaction and future behavior. While working on her M.S., she conducted several economic impact assessments for the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) in Texas. The studies examined the economic impact of tourist spending on the communities surrounding some of the LCRA's public recreational lakes and properties.
Stacy started the doctoral program at Texas A&M University in the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Science in 2000. While a doctoral student, she taught the undergraduate introductory tourism course and also conducted a state-wide economic impact study for Texas Parks and Wildlife to examine the economic impact of 37 state parks. This study was used as a repositioning document for the state parks and findings were reported to the Texas Legislature during the 2003 session. Stacy's doctoral research examined the effects of visual cues on tourists' perceptions of quality and satisfaction as well as on their future behavioral intentions. In December 2007, Stacy received her Ph.D. from Texas A&M University with an emphasis in tourism marketing and statistics.
Community Outreach Interests
At NC State University, I have a split appointment as an assistant professor and sustainable tourism extension specialist. Through NC Cooperative Extension, I work with county cooperative extension field faculty across the state to develop and promote sustainable tourism. My interests focus primarily on rural communities and the connections between the community, tourism-related businesses and tourists. In collaboration with community leaders and business owners, I work to develop rural, cultural and nature-based tourism as a means for community and economic development. Additionally, I work with landowners and businesses to explore entrepreneurial activities relating to their tourism product. I am primarily interested in helping businesses and destinations evaluate and improve their tourism product to enhance the tourist experience. Of particular interest to are the notions of service quality and visual quality and what cues tourists use to form perceptions of destinations and businesses. Through NC Cooperative Extension, I have also developed two curricula to help businesses create more enjoyable experiences for their guests. Additionally, I also teach numerous workshops on similar and related topics.
Research Interests
My general research focus is on consumer behavior and tourism marketing, with a special interest in visual quality, service quality and tourist satisfaction. From my research, I strive to contribute to the understanding of what constitutes satisfying tourist experiences and to provide managerial suggestions on engineering positive experiences for guests. Having conducted numerous economic impact analyses, I am also interested in how findings from economic impact studies can be used as a repositioning tool to gain political or financial leverage. For example, in 2002 I conducted a state-wide economic impact study for Texas Parks and Wildlife to examine the economic impact of 37 state parks. This study was used as a repositioning document for the state parks and findings were reported to the Texas Legislature during the 2003 session.
On a personal note, I enjoy traveling and exploring new destinations, gardening, eating fresh veggies, playing the piano, fishing, spending time with my family, friends, and groovy cat, Bailey.
