Dr. Karen Thal
Associate Professor of Tourism and Hospitality Management
Contact Information:
Office: McCartney Hall 105G
Office Phone: 785-628-4760
E-Mail: kithal@fhsu.edu
Degrees:
Ph.D. University of South Carolina (Hospitality Management)
M.S. College of Charleston (Environmental Studies)
B.A. University of Minnesota (English Literature)
Courses Taught:
Principles and Practices in Tourism and Hospitality Management
Tourism and Hospitality Marketing
Spa Facility and Destination Management
Special Topics in THM: Foundations in Wine
Meetings, Conventions, and Events Management
Health and Wellness Tourism
International Hospitality: Problems and Planning
Sustainable Tourism and Event Management
International Experience Budapest (Study Abrouad)
Hotel and Resort Management
Medical Tourism
Research Interests:
Destination Management and Development
Marketing
Wellness Tourism
Sustainable Tourism
Publications, Peer Reviewed:
Thal, K. I., Smith, S.L. & George, B. (2021). Wellness tourism competences for curriculum development: a Delphi study. Teaching in Travel and Tourism Research. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15313220.2021.1874596
Thal, K. I. Moriuchi, E. (2020). Fun and functional: Can a gamified travel app win over users?. International Journal of Business & Applied Sciences, 9(2), 1-9.
Thal, K. I., & Hudson, S. (2019). Using Self-Determination Theory to Assess the Service Product at a Wellness Facility: A Case Study. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTI-03-2018-0020
Thal, K. I., & Hudson, S. (2019). A Conceptual Model of Wellness Destination Characteristics That Contribute to Psychological Well-Being. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research, 43(1), 41–57.
Hudson, S., Thal, K., Thal, K., Cárdenas, D., & Meng, F. (2017). Wellness tourism: stress alleviation or indulging healthful habits?. International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research, 11(1), 35-52.
Hudson, S., Cárdenas, D., Meng, F., & Thal, K. (2016). Building a place brand from the bottom up: A case study from the United States. Journal of Vacation Marketing, 1356766716649228.
Hudson, S., & Thal, K. (2013). The Impact of social media on the Consumer Decision Process: Implications for tourism marketing. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 30(1/2), 156-160.
Publications, Non-Peer Reviewed:
Hudson, S., & Thal, K. (2014). The Franchise on Green: How Corporate Office Can Facilitate Sustainable Initiatives. SCRLA Hospitality News, October, 2014.
Hudson, S., & Thal, K. (2014). The Franchise on Green: How Corporate Office Can Facilitate Sustainable Initiatives. Hotel Executive, May, 2014.
Hudson, S., & Thal, K. (2014). Wellness Vacations: Softer Side of Medical Tourism. Medical Tourism Magazine, January/February, 104-106.
SmartState Center of Economic Excellence in Tourism & Economic Development at the University of South Carolina. (2015, April). An Assessment of Tourism Development Along the Santee Cooper Waterways.
Rawle Murdy and the SmartState Center of Economic Excellence in Tourism & Economic Development at the University of South Carolina. (2014, August). Bluffton, Heart of the Lowcountry: A Branding Study.
SmartState Center of Economic Excellence in Tourism & Economic Development at the University of South Carolina. (2012, August). A Feasibility Study for an International Horse Park in Aiken, South Carolina.
SmartState Center of Economic Excellence in Tourism and Economic at the University of South Carolina
(2012, April). Developing Tourism in the Rural Pee Dee Region of South Carolina.