Professor Benfield is currently coordinator of the tourism program at Central, teaching courses in The Geography of Tourism, Tourism Planning, New Directions in Tourism and Tourism Management.In addition, as part of his regional speciality he teaches World Regional Geography, European Union and The Geography of the Post-Soviet states.Professor Benfield is particularly interested in Tourism Marketing and New Product development. To that end he conducts a considerable amount of outside consulting work and research in the areas of casino gaming in Connecticut, impacts of major theme parks and rural tourism impacts. He is currently working on the evolving tourism industry in the post-Soviet Republics.
A graduate of The University of Aberdeen (B.Sc. Hons)and the University of Alberta (M.A.)Professor Benfield received his doctoral degree in 1998 from the University of Oklahoma on Rural land-use change in the former Soviet Republic of Kyrgyzstan.
Prior to returning to University teaching, Professor Benfield worked in the tourism industry in the United Kingdom, Canada and the U.S. Most recently as Vice-President of Marketing for a major ski resort, Executive Director of The Banff-Lake Louise Chamber of Commerce, Director of Marketing for a motor coach company and as a senior Marketing Executive for the Province of Alberta's tourism Department.Thus he brings to Connecticut not only excellent academic credentials but also significant industry experience.This is of great value for student job placement.
He may be reached in the geography department at (860)832-2879, or by e-mail....just
click on the address below.
[benfieldr@ccsu.edu]