Robertico Croes is the new associate dean for administration & finance at UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management. He was previously chair of the Tourism, Events and Attractions Department and is serving as interim chair. Croes also serves as the associate director of the Dick Pope Sr. Institute for Tourism Studies at Rosen College.

“Dr. Croes has been an incredible asset to Rosen College over the years and I’m confident that he will be very effective in the role of associate dean,” said Abraham Pizam, dean of Rosen College. “His background and expertise in economics and tourism management make him an excellent fit for this position in which he will work with faculty, staff and administration to ensure Rosen College continues to be a leader in hospitality management education.”

Croes arrived at UCF in 2002. He received his doctorate from the University of Twente, The Netherlands and his dissertation focused on quantitative modeling of tourism demand, tourism development and government intervention. Croes’ research has been published in the Annals of Tourism Research, Journal of Travel Research, Tourism Economics, International Journal of Tourism Research, Tourism Management and International Journal of Hospitality Management, among others. He has also served on the editorial board of three journals and is the recipient of several scholarly awards.

Croes’ fields of expertise include econometrics applications in hospitality, tourism demand analysis/forecasting, tourism economic impact, competitive and sustainable tourism in tourism development analysis, tourism development applied to poverty alleviation and tourism development in small islands and developing countries. His forthcoming book, Poverty Alleviation through Tourism Development: A Comprehensive and Integrated Approach, co-authored with Manuel Rivera, is scheduled for publication this fall.

Visit Rosen College’s website to learn more about hospitality management education at UCF.