About TREES

In the early 1980s, Prof Gert Scholtz started a research entity called the Institute for Leisure Studies. He was director until Prof Melville Saayman took over in 1995 and changed the name to the Institute for Tourism and Leisure Studies. In the early 2000s, the National Research Foundation (NRF) put out a call for the establishment of research entities, and this led to the birth of the first tourism niche research entity called SEIT (Socio-Economic Impact of Tourism), after which the name was changed to TREES (Tourism Research in Economics, Environs and Society). Prof Elmarie Slabbert is currently the Research Director.

In 2015, TREES became a research unit. With tourism growing in importance in the country, we are becoming more relevant every year, and our research focus is also aligned with the goals and objectives of the National Department of Tourism; especially by focusing on economic, environmental and community (society) issues.

TREES has a strong team consisting of 17 primary researchers, four secondary researchers, 6 Extraordinary Professors and two Post-Doctoral Fellows. Nine researchers hold National Research Foundation (NRF) ratings, indicating recognised researchers by the international research community. As a team, we are collectively working towards our ultimate vision, which is to become a centre of excellence and make a difference in our industry.