Leading scholar awarded top prize for contribution to tourism knowledge

PR No.: PR12070

Erik Cohen, one of the world’s leading social science scholars in the field of tourism, has been named this year’s winner of the UNWTO Ulysses Prize for Excellence in the Creation and Dissemination of Knowledge, honoring those within academia making a significant contribution to the advancement of tourism.

Mr. Cohen, the George S. Wise Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, has been announced as the winner of the UNWTO Ulysses Prize for Excellence in the Creation and Dissemination of Knowledge. The prize is awarded annually to scholars for their contribution to the development of tourism education and research.

“Throughout his illustrious and varied academic career, Mr. Cohen’s tourism expertise has always shone through,” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai. “His tourism research in countries ranging from Thailand to the Pacific Islands, as well as his studies on collective settlements, urban studies, folk art, folk religion and tourism, has made an invaluable contribution to our sector and deserves the highest praise.”

A founding member of the International Academy for the Study of Tourism, Mr. Cohen has served as Sociology Editor of Annals of Tourism Research since 1976. His current research areas include post-modern trends in travel, tourism and disasters, festivals and heritage tourism.

The UNWTO Ulysses Prize for Excellence in the Creation and Dissemination of Knowledge will be presented on 15 November during the UNWTO Awards Ceremony in Istanbul, Turkey. The winners of the UNWTO Award for Lifetime Achievement and the UNWTO Ulysses Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism will also be awarded in Istanbul.

Note for Editors:

UNWTO Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism

For individuals:

• UNWTO Ulysses Prize for Excellence in the Creation and Dissemination of Knowledge

• UNWTO Award for Lifetime Achievement

For tourism initiatives:

• UNWTO Ulysses Award for Innovation in Public Policy and Governance

• UNWTO Ulysses Award for Innovation in Enterprises

• UNWTO Ulysses Award for Innovation in Non-Governmental Organizations

• UNWTO Ulysses Award for Innovation in Research and Technology

Relevant links:

UNWTO Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism