Dr. Katie Dudley
Tourism Researcher, Educator, Consultant
Growing up in the small rural community of Carrollton, Illinois, my understanding of travel and tourism was shaped not by frequent vacations but by simple, meaningful moments spent locally—playing basketball at the park, visiting the community pool, or walking around town with friends. My family didn’t take the annual summer vacations many others experienced, rather I learned to cherish experiences like winning the local grocery store coloring contest, which granted me a trip to Six Flags Over Mid-America. These formative years instilled in me a deep appreciation for the value of accessible and community-centered tourism and recreation.
My career in tourism began while attending college at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale (Go Salukis!) where I discovered I could engage with iconic destinations by working in them. During this time, I spent my summers working in Yellowstone National Park and later in Death Valley National Park. Over the next decade, my career took me across 10 states and a wide variety of tourism destinations, including an adventure resort in West Virginia and golf courses in Montana and Tennessee. This experience exposed me to the complexities of the tourism industry such as economic challenges, balancing public access with environmental conservation, community identity, and job quality versus quantity.
This led me to my doctoral studies in parks, recreation and tourism management at Clemson University to explore the missing narratives of communities dependent on tourism—stories of resilience, struggle, and triumph that were largely absent in academic literature. My research focuses on ways in which sustainable tourism systems can support both communities and the people who make these experiences possible.
Today, I bring over two decades of combined hands-on and academic expertise to sustainable tourism planning and development. My work includes projects such as developing visitor use management plans for Tennessee State Parks, collaborating with the Department of Natural Resources to develop an outdoor recreation-based tourism economy in Great Falls, South Carolina, and educating the public and business owners in southern California on developing a sustainable tourism model that allows for thriving coastal tourism destinations alongside healthy shark populations.
Whether developing inclusive strategies for tourism growth, advocating for responsible practices, or addressing workforce issues, my approach combines practical experience, rigorous research methods, and a deep commitment to sustainable solutions. My expertise lies at the intersection of local community engagement, economic development, and responsible tourism systems. Each project begins with developing and facilitating community workshops and training programs focused on coalition building and advocacy, empowering all members of the community to collaborate effectively in shaping tourism planning and implementation strategies that reflect shared goals and community priorities.
👉 Let’s collaborate. If you’re looking for an experienced consultant in sustainable tourism planning and development, I invite you to explore my services and connect with me. Together, we can shape a future where tourism benefits everyone.
My career in tourism began while attending college at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale (Go Salukis!) where I discovered I could engage with iconic destinations by working in them. During this time, I spent my summers working in Yellowstone National Park and later in Death Valley National Park. Over the next decade, my career took me across 10 states and a wide variety of tourism destinations, including an adventure resort in West Virginia and golf courses in Montana and Tennessee. This experience exposed me to the complexities of the tourism industry such as economic challenges, balancing public access with environmental conservation, community identity, and job quality versus quantity.
This led me to my doctoral studies in parks, recreation and tourism management at Clemson University to explore the missing narratives of communities dependent on tourism—stories of resilience, struggle, and triumph that were largely absent in academic literature. My research focuses on ways in which sustainable tourism systems can support both communities and the people who make these experiences possible.
Today, I bring over two decades of combined hands-on and academic expertise to sustainable tourism planning and development. My work includes projects such as developing visitor use management plans for Tennessee State Parks, collaborating with the Department of Natural Resources to develop an outdoor recreation-based tourism economy in Great Falls, South Carolina, and educating the public and business owners in southern California on developing a sustainable tourism model that allows for thriving coastal tourism destinations alongside healthy shark populations.
Whether developing inclusive strategies for tourism growth, advocating for responsible practices, or addressing workforce issues, my approach combines practical experience, rigorous research methods, and a deep commitment to sustainable solutions. My expertise lies at the intersection of local community engagement, economic development, and responsible tourism systems. Each project begins with developing and facilitating community workshops and training programs focused on coalition building and advocacy, empowering all members of the community to collaborate effectively in shaping tourism planning and implementation strategies that reflect shared goals and community priorities.
👉 Let’s collaborate. If you’re looking for an experienced consultant in sustainable tourism planning and development, I invite you to explore my services and connect with me. Together, we can shape a future where tourism benefits everyone.