Jan H. van Harssel, Ed.D.

Professor

Email:

jhv@niagara.edu

Phone:

(716) 286-8276

Fax:

(716) 286-8277

Office Location:

St. Vincent's Hall, Room 410

Bio

Professor Jan H. van Harssel, Ed. D. arrived at Niagara University’s College of Hospitality and Tourism Management in 1988. His research and teaching interest center on community tourism planning and development, guest services management, event and attractions management, behavioral economics, and special interest/heritage tourism.

He serves as a consultant to numerous local and regional tourism agencies and is a frequent presenter at industry seminars and workshops. He served on the Board of Directors of the Niagara Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau and is active in Western New York chapters of Meeting Planners International and the International Special Events Society.

Dr. van Harssel consults frequently on issues impacting the regional and national hospitality and tourism industry, and he is the author of several textbooks, including the college text Tourism, An Exploration, published by Prentice Hall and currently in its third edition.  At Niagara University, he teaches Tourism Planning and Destination Design, World Geography, Cultural Geography, Tour Planning and Destination Packaging, Event Management, Contemporary Recreation and Leisure Concepts, and International Destination and Convention Services Management.  He also overseas the College’s freshmen year experience and coordinates the college’s scholarship information database.  Dr. van Harssel represents Niagara University on the New York State DECA Business Partnership  Committee and he is the Chair of the annual Scholarship Auction organized by the New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association.

He received a master's degree in tourism and travel administration from the Graduate School of Management and Urban Professions (The New School) in New York City and a Doctoral degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Vermont. 

Current Research

Dr. van Harssel's research and teaching interest center on community tourism planning and development, guest services management, event and attractions management, behavioral economics, and special interest/heritage tourism.

Selected Publications
van Harssel, J. (2011). The application of integrated learning techniques in a hospitality industry service project. In P. Kot (Ed.), Case studies in active, integrative learning: Teaching innovations that make a difference (pp. 195-209). Lewiston, New York: Niagara University.

van Harssel, J. (2011). Meetings and events management. In R. A. Brymer & M. M. Johanson (Eds.), Hospitality: An introduction (pp. 299-305). Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.

van Harssel, J. (1994). Tourism: An exploration (3 ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall Career & Technology.

Educational Background

Dr. van Harssel received a Master's degree in Tourism and Travel Administration from the Graduate School of Management and Urban Professions (The New School) in New York City and a Doctoral degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Vermont.

Current Involvement

Dr. van Harssel serves as a consultant to numerous local and regional tourism agencies and is a frequent presenter at industry seminars and workshops. He served on the Board of Directors of the Niagara Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau and is active in Western New York chapters of Meeting Planners International and the International Special Events Society. He consults frequently on issues impacting the regional and national hospitality and tourism industry, and he is the author of several textbooks, including the college text Tourism, An Exploration, published by Prentice Hall and currently in its third edition. He was appointed Commissioner on the National Park Service Niagara Falls Heritage Area commission in 2010 and serves on the Education Advisory Councils for both Destination Marketing Association International and Tourism Cares. In 2011, Dr. van Harssel was invited to be the lead author for the fifth edition of the popular text Geography of Travel and Tourism.