Manuel Rivera Author

Dr. Robertico Croes currently serves as the Chair of the Tourism, Events & Attractions department as well as the Associate Director of the Dick Pope Sr. Institute for Tourism Studies at the Rosen College at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Croes has published two recent books, titled The Small Island Paradox: Tourism Specialization as a Potential Solution and Anatomy of Demand in International Tourism. Both books investigate tourism dynamics and the opportunities spawned by tourism specialization in small island destinations. Additionally, he is a contributor to several books.

Dr. Croes has lectured and made presentations throughout the world, including Armenia, the Netherlands, Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Aruba, Curacao, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Malta, Ecuador, Barbados, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. His research has also been presented in predominant industry and research conferences around the world including South Africa, South Korea, Malaysia, Cyprus, Spain, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Turkey, Taiwan, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Manuel Rivera, PhD, is currently Assistant Professor at Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Rivera’s industry experience expands to companies such as Aramark, Chartwells, Pizza Hut, Starbucks, Java City, Pollo Tropical, Subway, Burger King, McDonalds, and Sbarro. He had also the opportunity of working with institutions such as Florida International University, Saint Thomas University, Nova Southeastern University, Florida Memorial College, the Miami Dolphins Training Center, and the Kovens Convention Center.

Dr. Rivera also has served as a researcher consultant for the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau, Puerto Rico Hotel Association, the Cámara de Turismo de Nicaragua, the Consejo Provincial del Guayas in Ecuador, the Curaçao Tourism Bureau, the Aruba Tourism Authority, Coca-Cola’s Latin Center Business Unit, and the Kissimmee CVB among others. Dr. Rivera also has extensive experience working with music festivals in the Caribbean, more specifically the Curacao North Sea Jazz Festival, the Aruba Soul Beach Music Festival, and the Aruba Electric Festival.