Anna Abelson

Anna Abelson is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality, where she has taught for over a decade. She teaches across the undergraduate and graduate curricula, focusing on the global visitor economy, tourism trends, impacts and issues, marketing, and behavioral economics.

 A seasoned scholar-practitioner and consultant with 25 years of experience, Anna has defined her career by bridging academic rigor with industry practice, supporting international brands and governmental entities through high-impact research and strategic partnership development.

Anna’s academic work centers on the "visitor economy," with specialized research in destination marketing, sustainable tourism practices, and travel management. She is committed to preparing the next generation of leaders to navigate an evolving landscape by integrating evidence-based strategies and real-world insights into her courses.

Anna’s pedagogical reach extends nationally; she also serves on the faculty at the University of Southern California and acts as an expert business coach for Columbia University’s CU Grow program. Throughout her career, Anna’s work has earned prestigious recognition, including the Magellan and HSMAI Adrian awards for excellence in driving growth for tourism boards, airlines, and hospitality businesses.

Beyond the classroom, Anna is a recognized authority on the family travel segment. She serves as a board member of the Family Travel Association (FTA) and partners with the organization on the annual U.S. Family Travel Survey. This landmark study provides critical longitudinal data on the evolving preferences of traveling families, serving as a cornerstone for both industry-wide strategic planning and curriculum innovation.

Anna is deeply embedded in the professional travel community as a frequent speaker and moderator at global industry conferences and roundtables. She holds active memberships in the Skift Council, the Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA), the Association for Tourism and Leisure Education and Research (ATLAS), and the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI). Through these multifaceted roles, Anna continues to influence the strategic direction of the global tourism landscape, championing a more sustainable, tech-enabled, and economically viable future for the industry.