摘要：This exploratory research provided an analysis of hospitality research centers throughout
the United States. The study documents the experiences and insights of universities that host
existing hospitality research centers, with a concentrated focus on the characteristics of those that
serve a rural audience. The successes of these centers are highlighted for potential
implementation at a proposed hospitality research center at a university based in southern Utah.
Website content analyses and telephone interviews were performed with directors from
universities that host hospitality research centers. Focus groups were conducted with private and
public sector hospitality industry stakeholders from the southern Utah area. The information
received in these focus groups served as the basis for the development of an on-line survey with
the intent to reach a more generalized sample, and to allow for statistical analysis of
stakeholders’ perceptions of the development of a rural hospitality research center.
关键词：hospitality, research center, focus groups, stakeholders, content analysis
