2025 TTRA Awards

Award Categories and Guidelines

BOEING TRAVEL RESEARCH GRANT (Academic)

Awarded to a junior researcher (faculty with less than 5 years out of terminal degree) for the creative development of a research project, technique, or methodology.

Requirements: The abstract/proposal should be 1,000-1,500 words (excluding references) and show how the abstract/proposal links to a current issue in the field.

Please also include an up-to-date CV with your abstract/proposal to verify years since graduation. The recipient must be an individual responsible for creating this research agenda.

Criteria: The awards committee will review entries and judge them based on their ability to improve measurement, decrease costs and improve information for better application and understanding by management. The project must show significant benefits to the travel & tourism industry.

🏆 Award: The winner will receive a $5,000 cash award, a plaque, and a complimentary registration to the International conference.

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DISTINGUISHED RESEARCHER AWARD (Academic or Practitioner)

Requirements: This award seeks individuals acknowledged by their peers for significant contributions to tourism research, including advancing the field and supporting community growth. Notable efforts should be detailed.

Criteria: Nominees should be highlighted for their impactful work in tourism research, including service and innovation. Submissions must include contact information, career overview, specific achievements, and endorsements from two industry professionals. Nominations must be provided by someone other than the person nominated.

🏆 Award: Awardees receive a plaque and a three-year TTRA membership. Posthumous awards are given to the nominee’s family or associate without membership benefits.

Disclaimer: The award considers national and international contributions and is open to all professionals in tourism research, not limited to TTRA members.

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J. DESMOND SLATTERY AWARD (Academic)

Awarded to a master’s or doctoral student to assist with the completion of their thesis or dissertation.

Requirements: All master’s or doctoral students enrolled in a degree-granting program are eligible to submit an abstract of their proposed research. The abstract must be in English, between 1,000 and 1,500 words (excluding references), and clearly describe the rationale, purpose, and methods of the study in a proposal format. Previous entries for this award are excluded, and any entry for this award may not be submitted for any other TTRA award.

Criteria: The papers will be judged by a review committee that will examine the quality of the proposed research in terms of overall writing, its relationship to travel and tourism, and its potential scholarly and practical contributions.

🏆 Award: The winning student will receive a $4,000 cash award, a plaque, and a complimentary registration to the International Conference.

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LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD (Academic or Practitioner)

The Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor the Travel and Tourism Research Association gives. It is presented at the TTRA International Conference to the individual or organization that has made a significant contribution to TTRA and the travel and tourism industry.

Requirements: The award is based on significant, long-term contributions to the industry and/or TTRA, including but not limited to outstanding service; record of publication; and Professional activity (i.e., research methodologies, techniques, and important positive outcomes for the industry, and/or marketing concepts, techniques and important positive outcomes for the industry).

Criteria: Submissions must elaborate on the nominee’s significant contributions to TTRA and the broader travel and tourism industry, aligning with the outlined requirements. The TTRA Executive Committee will select the award recipient based on a thorough review of the nominations.

🏆 Award: The recipient will receive a plaque, TTRA lifetime membership, and lifetime complimentary TTRA International Conference Registration.

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MMGY SHIFFLET AWARD FOR RESEARCH EXCELLENCE (Practitioner)

Requirements: This award recognizes a practitioner or their DMO for research that resulted or contributed to key decisions or actions for their organization and/or its constituents.

Criteria: The recipient must be a tourism practitioner or DMO in good standing in the travel and tourism industry and submit a 1-2 page summary outlining: the issue being addressed; the research designed or used to address the issue (may be original or licensed from a third party research or research by a third party to which you had input); the outcome of the research; the decisions that were made, money that was saved or revenue that was earned based on the research.

A reference from someone in the organization who will be able to independently verify the impact of this work must be included.

🏆 Award: The winning practitioner will receive a complimentary registration to the TTRA Annual International Conference, a plaque, and a $500 cash award.

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Committee-Selected Awards (No Application Required)

The following awards will be decided by committee members and awarded at the conference:

CHARLES R. GOELDNER ARTICLE OF EXCELLENCE AWARD

This award is named for the long-time Journal of Travel Research editor – Charles R. Goeldner.
Awarded to recognize the most significant work in the Journal of Travel Research during the previous year.

Criteria: The Charles R. Goeldner Article of Excellence Award is presented to the author(s) of the article judged to be the best appearing in the Journal during the previous year. The award recipient(s) are determined by the JTR editor and his/her committee.

🏆 Award:  Award recipient(s) will receive a plaque and a complimentary registration to the TTRA International Conference.

BEST RESEARCH PAPER AWARD

Awarded for the best research paper.

Requirements: For directions on how to enter your submission, please see the Call for Papers on the TTRA website. Be sure to follow the specific submission criteria (including deadline dates) outlined in the Call for Papers.

Criteria: The top three research papers will be presented at the conference; a winning paper will be named at the conference.

🏆 Award: Plaques will be presented to the award winners at the TTRA International Conference.

BEST ILLUSTRATED PAPER AWARD

Awarded for the best visual paper presented at the conference.

Requirements: For directions on how to enter your submission, please see the Call for Papers on the TTRA website. Be sure to follow specific submission criteria outlined via the Call for Papers (including deadline dates).

Criteria: The top visual paper will be voted on during the Ideas Fair for Illustrated Papers; a winning paper will be named at the conference.

🏆 Award: A plaque will be presented to the award winner at the TTRA International Conference.

BEST GRADUATE 3-MINUTE THESIS AWARD

Awarded to the best graduate colloquium paper presented at the conference.

Requirements: All submissions will be considered for this award.

Criteria: A panel of three judges will evaluate papers recommended by reviewers according to the following criteria: theoretical innovation, methodological rigor, and potential for changing the travel and tourism industry and/or the communities in which tourism takes place.

🏆 Award: A plaque will be presented to the award winner at the TTRA International Conference

BEST QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS AWARD

Awarded to the best qualitative research methods paper presented at the conference.

Requirements: All submissions will be considered for this award.

Criteria: A panel of three judges will evaluate papers recommended by reviewers according to pre-determined criteria.

🏆 Award: A plaque will be presented to the award winner at the TTRA International Conference.

Winners will be announced and awarded at the TTRA International Conference in Galway, Ireland.

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Why Apply?

✅ Industry Recognition – Be recognized as a leader in travel and tourism research.
✅ Networking Opportunities – Connect with top industry professionals and academics.
✅ Career Advancement – Gain visibility, credibility, and exclusive opportunities.
✅ Financial Rewards – Receive cash prizes, conference registrations, and plaques.

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Apply Today!

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🔗 Submit your application here: Apply Now

📍 Join us in Galway, Ireland, on June 24-26, 2025, to celebrate research excellence! 🎉

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