200 Letter from Rosa María Rodriguez Artola

Dear future researchers,

Before getting into the subject, let me express how honoured I am to have this opportunity to address future generations of researchers. You, that are just taking your first steps in the world of research. Therefore, I will begin by saying that I hope the same thing happens to you as it did to me. In my case, I believe taking that step was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. Of course, it wasn’t easy. And because I was in the same situation as you, full of ideas and dreams, but also doubts and questions, I hope my words are useful to you.

First of all and most important: enjoy this intellectual adventure, which, in my opinion, is very worthwhile. You have chosen a fascinating field of research that increasingly requires committed and diverse voices and perspectives. Therefore, I am convinced that you have much to contribute to an industry that is the largest in the world and will continue to be so in the future. We all like to enjoy our free time, enjoy experiences that take us out of our routine, and are curious to discover new places. Tourism allows us to achieve all of this, and with our research, we can contribute to a tourism that benefits everyone. That is, a tourism that meets tourists’ expectations but also benefits the host territory from a triple perspective: economic, social, and environmental.

Finally, I dare to give you some advice that I would have loved to have received when I began my career as a researcher. First, choose a topic you are passionate about because, believe me, you will experience it a lot, so it must motivate you and allow you to ask questions that require deep reflection and lead to transformative answers. Don’t be content with simply describing tourism phenomena. A critical perspective is essential. Second, don’t research alone; find colleagues to work with and networks to participate in, as team research is incredibly enriching. And finally, be honest with yourself and your research. Working in the territory requires respect, listening, and responsibility. Our role as researchers is not only to collect data to publish, but also to generate something meaningful and valuable for that place.

Rosa María Rodriguez Artola

Universitat Jaume I, Castellón de la Plana, Spain