UPLIFT NC Uplift is a comprehensive support program for rural communities who wish to enhance their existing tourism industry offerings, as well as develop new and innovative experiences. UPLIFT is designed to provide a menu of programs for community members to opt into while also targeting specific local needs and priorities. For a look at the UPLIFT North Carolina program see here . UPLIFT Services UPLIFT services cover a range of industry sectors, and welcomes all members of the community to participate in and benefit from tourism. Be sure to check out our latest podcast episodes about North Carolina tourism behind the scenes! Listen Here

Back In addition to the following journal publications, below are several books I have edited or contributed to. Animal Research Journal Publications Kline, C., & Hooper, J. (2025). Saving animals or saving face? Avoiding welfare-washing in animal tourism partnerships. Journal of Ecotourism. Heemstra, H., Cavalerie, C., Nazarova, N., Hoarau, G. & Kline, C. (2025). “Making the Wolffish Personal”: exploring the role of tourism for wildlife equity and biocultural conservation, Journal of Sustainable Tourism. Hoarau-Heemstra, H., Pashkevich, A., & Kline, C. (2025). Practice, performance and perversion: dark interpretation in Arctic King Crab tourism. Tourism Geographies , 27(2), 234-254. Fennell, D., Kline, C., Mkono, M., et al. (2024). Tourism, animals, and the vacant niche: A scoping review and pedagogical agenda. Current Issues in Tourism , 27(22), 3820–3848. Kline, C., & Fischer, B. (2023). Morality on holiday: Inspiring ethical behaviour in animal-based tourism through non-moral values. Tourism Recreation Research , 48(2), 147-158. Kline, C., Hoarau-Heemstra, H., & Cavaliere, C. (2022). Wildlife equity theory for multispecies tourism justice. Journal of Travel Research , 62(6), 1167–1180. Hoarau-Heemstra, H., & Kline, C. (2022). Making kin and making sense of human–animal relations in tourism. Ecological Economics , 196, 107396. Hoarau, H., & Kline, C. (2014). Science and industry: Sharing knowledge for innovation. Annals of Tourism Research , 46, 44-61. Books & Book Chapters Kline, C., & Heemstra, H. (2026). Limiting liminality: An ethical obligation to animals in tourism supply chains. In D. Lapointe (Ed.), Justice, Mobility & Power: In Search for Ethical Encounters in Tourism. Routledge. Hooper, J. & Kline, C. (Eds.) (2024). Emerging Voices for Animals in Tourism. CABI: Oxford. López-López, Á., Venegas, G. J. Q., & Kline, C. (Eds.). (2023). Tourism, heritage and commodification of non-human animals: a post-humanist reflection . CABI: Oxford. Kline, C. (2023). Centering Animals within Rural Tourism [invited chapter]. In H. Mair (Ed.) Handbook on Tourism and Rural Community Development . Surrey, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing. Kline, C. (2021). Socialising animal-based tourism [invited chapter]. In Higgins-Desbiolles, F., Doering, A., & Bigby, B. C. (Eds.). Socialising Tourism: Rethinking Tourism for Social and Ecological Justice . (pp. 195-213). Routledge. Rickly, J. M., & Kline, C. (Eds.). (2021). Exploring non-human work in tourism: From beasts of burden to animal ambassadors . Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG. Kline, C., Rusher, RC. (2018). Between awareness and activism: navigating the ethical terrain of eating animals. In Bryan S. R. Grimwood, Kellee Caton, Lisa Cooke (Eds.) New Moral Natures in Tourism . Routledge. Kline, C. (Ed.) (2018). Animals, Food & Tourism. Routledge/Taylor & Francis. Kline, C. (Ed.) (2018). Tourism Experiences & Animal Consumption: Contested Values, Morality, & Ethics . Routledge/Taylor & Francis.

Back Rural Tourism Since 1993, I've engaged in rural tourism research, starting with three studies done for the NC Historic Sites, Aquariums, and Visitor Centers. I had no idea at that time how much I would grow to love the rural areas of our state. While I haven't engaged in much formal research in rural tourism in a while, I've listed below some of the key topics I've addressed namely rural entrepreneurship, various niche products and markets, and sustainable food systems. Agritourism, Food Systems, & Craft Beverages Arroyo, C. G., Barbieri, C., Knollenberg, W., & Kline, C. (2023). Can craft beverages shape a destination’s image? A cognitive intervention to measure pisco-related resources on conative image. Tourism Management, 95.. Knollenberg, W., Duffy, L. N., Kline, C., & Kim, G. (2021). Creating competitive advantage for food tourism destinations through food and beverage experiences. Tourism Planning & Development, 18(4), 379-397. Lapan, C., Greenwood, J., & Kline, C. (2020). Eating Sustainably: Protein Consumption at Home, at Restaurants, and While Traveling. Journal of Gastronomy and Tourism, 4(4), 193-208. Kline, C., Lee, S. J., & Knollenberg, W. (2018). Segmenting foodies for a foodie destination. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 35(9), 1234–1245. Slocum, Susan L., Knollenberg, W., Kline, C. (2018). Demand for Specialty Food Initiatives: Considerations for Meeting Planning and Destination Management. Journal of Gastronomy and Tourism (3) 17–30. Slocum, S., Knollenberg, W., & Kline. C. (2018). Demand for sustainable food initiatives at meetings: Considerations for destination management. Gastronomy & Tourism 3(1). Joyner, L., Kline, C., Oliver, J., & Kariko, D. (2018). Exploring emotional response to images used in agritourism destination marketing. Journal of Destination Marketing & Management, 9, 44–55. Kline, C., *Joyner, J., Kirchoff, J., Crawford, A., Jilcott Pitts, S., Wall-Bassett, B., Gurganus, C., & Dunning, R. (2016). Gaps and Barriers along the North Carolina Farm-Food Value Chain. British Food Journal, 118(2), 301-317. Kline, C., Barbieri, C., & *LaPan, C. (2016). The influence of agritourism on niche meats loyalty and purchasing. Journal of Travel Research, 55(5), 643-658. Ainley, S. & Kline, C. (2014). Moving beyond positivism: Reflexive collaboration in understanding agritourism across North American boundaries. Current Issues in Tourism, 16, 1-10. Rural Resilience Kline, C., Duffy, L., Fogle, E., and Clark, D. (2022). Crossover Paths for Peri-urban Markets in Tourism Planning & Development: Mobility Motivations, Career Stage, Life Stage, & Desired Characteristics. Tourism & Hospitality. McGehee, N. G., Kline, C., & Knollenberg, W. (2014). Social movements and tourism-related local action. Annals of Tourism Research, 48, 140-155. Slocum, S., & Kline, C. (2014). Regional resilience: opportunities, challenges and policy messages from Western North Carolina. Anatolia, 25(3), 403-416. Tourism Entrepreneurship Kline, C., Duffy, L., & Clark, D. (2020). Fostering tourism and entrepreneurship in fringe communities: Unpacking stakeholder perceptions towards entrepreneurial climate. Tourism & Hospitality Research, 20(1), 3–17. Mottiar, Z., Boluk, K., & Kline, C. (2018). The roles of social entrepreneurs in rural destination development. Annals of Tourism Research, 68, 77–88. Boluk, K., Kline, C., & *Stroobach, A. (2017). Exploring the expectations and satisfaction derived from volunteer tourism experiences. Tourism and Hospitality Research, 17(3), 272–285. Kline, C. & Milburn, L.A. (2010). Ten categories of entrepreneurial climate to encourage rural tourism development. Annals of Leisure Research, 13(1/2): 320-348. Kline, C., Shah, N., & *Rubright, H. (2014). Applying the Positive Theory of Social Entrepreneurship to understand food entrepreneurs and their operations. Tourism Planning & Development, 11(3), 330-342. Kline, C., Hao, H., Alderman, D., Kleckley, J. & *Gray, S. (2014). A spatial analysis of tourism, entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial ecosystems in North Carolina, U.S.A. Tourism Planning & Development, 11(3), 305-316. Kline, C., McGehee, N., **Paterson, S. & *Tsao, J. (2012). Using Ecological Systems Theory and Density of Acquaintance to explore resident perception of entrepreneurial climate. Journal of Travel Research. 52(3): 294-309. Rural Community Capitals Kline, C., McGehee, N., & Delconte, J. (n.d.). Built Capital as a Catalyst for Community-Based Tourism. Journal of Travel Research, 58(6), 899–915. Kline, C. (2017). Applying the community capitals framework to the craft heritage trails of western North Carolina, Journal of Heritage Tourism, 12:5, 489-508, Delconte, J., Kline, C., & Scavo, C. (2016). The impacts of local arts agencies on community placemaking and heritage tourism, Journal of Heritage Tourism, 11:4, 324-335. Slocum, S., & Kline, C. (2014). Regional resilience: opportunities, challenges and policy messages from Western North Carolina. Anatolia, 25(3), 403-416. Tourism Markets Hoggard, W., Avenarius, C., Kline, C. & Ward, W. (2018). Diversifying eastern North Carolina heritage sites: tour guides’ perspectives, Journal of Heritage Tourism, 13:1, 62-76, https://doi.org/10.1080/1743873X.2016.1253701 *Merritt, R., Kline, C., Crawford, A., Viren, P., & Dilworth, G. (2018). Vacation Activity Preferences: An Examination of Generational Differences across Psychographic Categories Employing Plog’s Model. Journal of Park & Recreation Administration, 36(4), 55–71. https://doi.org/10.18666/JPRA-2018-V36-I4-8891 Merritt, R., Kline, C., Crawford, A., Schneider, P., & Dilworth, G. (2016). An exploration of recreational activities while travelling relative to psychographic tendencies, Tourism Recreation Research, 41:3, 302-313, https://doi.org/10.1080/02508281.2016.1199123 Hao, H., Kline, C., Long, P., & Rassel, G. (2018). Property owners’ attitudes toward sustainable tourism: Comparing coastal and mountain counties. Tourism and Hospitality Research, 18(4), 429–441. https://doi.org/10.1177/1467358416667776 Benjamin, S., Kline, C., Alderman, D., & Hoggard, W. (2016). Heritage Site Visitation and Attitudes toward African American Heritage Preservation: An Investigation of North Carolina Residents. Journal of Travel Research, 55(7), 919–933. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287515605931 Rubright, H., Kline, C., Viren, P., Naar, A., & Oliver, J. (2016). Attraction sustainability in North Carolina and its impact on decision-making. Tourism Management Perspectives, 19, 1-10. doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2016.04.002 Kline, C., Cardenas, D., Schneider, P. & Swanson, J. (2015). Using a community tourism development model to explore equestrian trail tourism potential in Virginia. Journal of Destination Management & Marketing 4(2), 79-87. Kline. C., Greenwood, J., Swanson, J., & Cardenas, D. (2014). Paddler market segments: Expanding Experience Use History Segmentation. Journal of Destination Management & Marketing, 2, 228–240. Beedle, J., Kline, C., Cardenas, D., Byrd, E. & Schneider, P. (2013). Attitudes towards women-owned tourism businesses. Journal of Tourism & Cultural Change, 11(3), 170-186. Lee, S. Kline, C., & Lee, G. (2013). Perceptions toward non-tourism development in a tourist destination: a naval base on Jeju Island, Korea. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research. DOI: 10.1080/10941665.2013.806937. Kline, C., Cardenas, D., Duffy, L. & Swanson, J. (2011). Funding sustainable paddle trail development: paddler perspectives, willingness to pay and management implications. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 20(2), 235-256. Kask, S., Kline, C., & Lamoureux, K. (2011). Modeling tourist and community decision-making: the S.A.V.E. market. Annals of Tourism Research, 38, 1387-1409. International Destinations Duffy, L. N., Stone, G., Charles Chancellor, H., & Kline, C. S. (2016). Tourism development in the Dominican Republic: An examination of the economic impact to coastal households. Tourism and Hospitality Research, 16(1), 35–49. https://doi.org/10.1177/1467358415613118 Duffy, L. N., Kline, C., Mowatt, R.A., & Chancellor, H.C. (2015). Women in tourism: Shifting gender ideology? Annals of Tourism Research, 52, 72-86. Kline, C. & Slocum, S. (2015). Neoliberalism in Ecotourism? The new development paradigm of multinational projects in Africa. Journal of Ecotourism, 14(2-3), 99-112. Boone, K., Kline, C., *Johnson, L., Milburn, L.A., & Rieder, K. (2012). Development of visitor identity through Study Abroad in Ghana. Tourism Geographies, 15(3), 470-493. Cuban Focus Knollenberg, W., Kline, C., Jordan, E., & Boley, B. B. (2020). Will US travelers be good guests to Cuba? Examining US traveler segments' sustainable behavior and interest in visiting Cuba. Journal of Destination Marketing & Management, 18, 100505. Duffy, L. & Kline, C. (2018) Complexities of Tourism Planning and Development in Cuba. Tourism Planning & Development, 15:3, 211-215. Moran, C., Boley, B. B., Woosnam, K. M., Jordan, E. J., Kline, C., & Knollenberg, W. (n.d.). The battle of the socials: Which socially symbolic factors best predict intent to travel? [Research Note]. Tourism Management, 68, 324–327. https://doi-org.proxy006.nclive.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2018.03.023 Boley, B. B., Jordan, E. J., Kline, C., & Knollenberg, W. (2018). Social return and intent to travel. Tourism Management, 64, 119–128. https://doi-org.proxy006.nclive.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2017.08.008 Jordan, E. J., Boley, B. B., Knollenberg, W., & Kline, C. (n.d.). Predictors of Intention to Travel to Cuba across Three Time Horizons: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior. Journal of Travel Research, 57(7), 981–993. https://doi-org.proxy006.nclive.org/10.1177/0047287517721370 Duffy, L.N., Kline, C., Swanson, J. R., Best, M., & McKinnon, H. (2017) Community development through agroecotourism in Cuba: an application of the community capitals framework, Journal of Ecotourism, 16:3, 203-221, DOI: 10.1080/14724049.2016.1218498. *Hingtgen, N., Kline, C., Fernandes, L., & McGehee, N. G. (2015). Cuba in transition: Tourism industry perceptions of entrepreneurial change. Tourism Management, 50, 184-193. Green, E., Kline, C., Hao, H., & Crawford, A. (2015). Tourist Behavior Among Foodie Activity Dimensions. Journal of Gastronomy and Tourism, 1(1), 33-44. Murray, A., & Kline, C. (2015). Rural tourism and the craft beer experience: factors influencing brand loyalty in rural North Carolina, USA. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 23(8-9), 1198-1216.

This is a paragraph area where you can add your own text. Just click “Edit Text” or double click here to add your own content and make changes to the font. It's a great place to tell a story about your business and let users know more about you. Description Study Abroad Information goes here International Conferences Information goes here International Research Information goes here

Back Volunteer Code of Conduct In spring of 2025, I worked with my Animal, Tourism, & Sustainability class to discuss ideal approaches to human-animal interactions within tourism. The results of these discussions were codified within this suggested code of conduct. Thank you to Anne Allison and Caroline Bestler for their organizational and research support.

Summary of Research Interests My research interests are summarized in two big buckets. Earlier in my career, I focused on many aspects of rural tourism: the types of conditions that support entrepreneurs in their success, various of tourism products and markets and destination marketing strategies. Since 2015, I’ve been focusing solely on animals in tourism. There is no topic off the table, from eating animals, to riding them, to captive entertainment, to selfies, and ambassador animals, and many other topics. I currently find myself in the fortunate position of being able to work with younger and newer scholars who share this same passion. Rural Tourism Here you will find select publications on various rural tourism topics. Read More Animals in Tourism Animals, animals, animals! Check here for my latest projects

Back In addition to the following journal publications, below are several books I have edited or contributed to. Animal Research Journal Publications Hoarau-Heemstra, H., Cavalerie, C., Nazarova, N., Hoarau, G. & Kline, C. “Making the Wolffish Personal”: exploring the role of tourism for wildlife equity and biocultural conservation, Journal of Sustainable Tourism. Hoarau-Heemstra, H., Pashkevich, A., & Kline, C. (2025). Practice, performance and perversion: dark interpretation in Arctic King Crab tourism. Tourism Geographies, 27(2), 234-254. Fennell, D., Kline, C. et al. (2024). Vacant Niche. Current Issues in Tourism. Kline, C., Hoarau-Heemstra, H., & Cavaliere, C. (2022). Wildlife Equity Theory for Multispecies Tourism Justice. Journal of Travel Research. Hoarau-Heemstra, H. & Kline, C. (2022). Making kin and making sense of human-animal relations in tourism. Ecological Economics. Kline, C., & Fischer, B. (2021). Morality on holiday: inspiring ethical behaviour in animal-based tourism through nonmoral values. Tourism Recreation Research, 1-12. Hoarau, H., & Kline, C. (2014). Science and industry: Sharing knowledge for innovation. Annals of Tourism Research, 46, 44-61. Books & Book Chapters Hooper, J. & Kline, C. (Eds.) (2024). Emerging Voices for Animals in Tourism. CABI: Oxford. López-López, Á., Venegas, G. J. Q., & Kline, C. (Eds.). (2023). Tourism, heritage and commodification of non-human animals: a post-humanist reflection. CABI: Oxford. Kline, C. (2023). Centering Animals within Rural Tourism [invited chapter]. In H. Mair (Ed.) Handbook on Tourism and Rural Community Development. Surrey, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing. Kline, C. (2021). Socialising animal-based tourism [invited chapter]. In Higgins-Desbiolles, F., Doering, A., & Bigby, B. C. (Eds.). Socialising Tourism: Rethinking Tourism for Social and Ecological Justice. (pp. 195-213). Routledge. Rickly, J. M., & Kline, C. (Eds.). (2021). Exploring non-human work in tourism: From beasts of burden to animal ambassadors. Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG. Kline, C., Rusher, RC. (2018). Between awareness and activism: navigating the ethical terrain of eating animals. In Bryan S. R. Grimwood, Kellee Caton, Lisa Cooke (Eds.) New Moral Natures in Tourism. Routledge. Kline, C. (Ed.) (2018). Animals, Food & Tourism. Routledge/Taylor & Francis. Kline, C. (Ed.) (2018). Tourism Experiences & Animal Consumption: Contested Values, Morality, & Ethics. Routledge/Taylor & Francis.

Animal Work My current focus on animal protection is the result of a very productive midlife crisis. While I have always enjoyed most parts of my job, I realized that something was missing. I turned my focus toward my true love of animals. Animal Research Check here for my latest projects Animals, animals, animals! Partners Read More Media & Features Read More Fanimal Read More Volunteer Code of Conduct Read More Best Practices Read More Rare to Reckless Read More Emerging Voices for Animals in Tourism Read More Animal Tourism & Sustainability Read More Speaking Read More

Back Animals, Tourism and Sustainability Animals, Tourism, and Sustainability would be a critical course in preparing students for the vast and complicated mechanisms, morals, and ethics of sustainably operating an environmental attraction or experience concerning animal and environmental welfare. The aim of this class is to cultivate awareness on ethical and sustainability issues related to the use of animals within the context of tourism. The class is designed to encompass international perspectives and will provide a mix of theoretical and applied knowledge, as well as case studies. Animal welfare within the tourism industry was illuminated in 2012 with Fennell’s book Tourism and Animal Ethics. Additionally, a growing body exists within peer-reviewed journals, however the majority of these published works address the topics of zoos, marine animals in tourism (the majority on whale-watching), with lesser attention paid to elephants and primates. For example, the specific issue of animals as food for tourists has to date been neglected. This class will integrate topics previously independent: animals and tourism, animals and sustainability, and sustainable tourism.

Back Fanimal Fanimal was founded in 2016 with the purpose of providing mentoring programs for individuals who wanted careers that helped animals. During the Covid 19 pandemic, however, we also provided public-facing programs on Zoom. These programs included: Three seasons of Animal Chat Time (24 episodes total) that focused on a specific animal per episode. Animal Chat Time was for ages 6-12, however, many adults who joined enjoyed learning about the animals as well. Junior Fanimal, a badge earning program for kids aged 10-15, this was structured around activities that encouraged advocacy, fundraising, and vocational exploration. A high school program revolving around animal-focused careers was developed, which provided a wide range of opportunities to consider different paths. US-based college internships were provided to a variety of disciplines including conservation sciences, arts and humanities, business, political sciences, and creative communications. The college internships were tailored to the students degree requirements as well as the students career or animal interests. Fanimal fellowships were offered to our international audiences and were a cohort-based program that provided support for the specific interests of each fellow. The fellows completed activities which furthered their professional skill sets, expanded their professional skills, as well as worked on a focused project of their own creation. Webinars were offered to the public on many topics including wildlife photography ethics, In 2023, Fanimal transitioned to focusing more directly on animals in tourism, while still offering mentorship and guidance to young professionals with animal interests.

Back Academic Speaking Below is a list of presentations I've given at academic conferences: Conversation, curiosity, creativity, and conviviality within tourism. Critical Tourism Studies Conference X (ten). Practice, performance and perversion: dark interpretation in Arctic King Crab tourism. Segundo Congreso Internacional de Estudios Críticos Animales. Estudios Críticos Animales de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Advancing Aquatic Life through Best Tourism Practices. Southeastern Recreation Research Conference. Animals, Tourism & the Sustainable Development Goals. Instagranimal: A symposium on the animal ethics and welfare challenges in animal-based tourism. Exploring Millennials' perceptions on eating or not eating animals. Minding Animals Conference. Know your customer: sharing values for innovation in domestic animal based tourism experiences. Critical Tourism Studies VII. Some conferences that I regularly attend are Critical Tourism Studies, CTS North America, Nordic Symposium for Hospitality & Tourism Research, and critical animal studies conferences sponsored by Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. I also serve on the editorial board for several premier journals. Public Speaking I am available to speak on many topics in animal ethics and welfare, a sample of presentation titles are below. Please contact me to discuss these or other ideas. How To Be An Ethical Animal Tourist Animal Magnetism in Tourism Implementing a Local Wildlife Tourism Program The Current State of Animal Tourism Around the World

Back EVAT In 2022 & 2023, I co-produced the Emerging Voices for Animals in Tourism Conference with Jes Hooper of The Civet Project. EVAT is an international forum that brings together early career researchers, artists, activists, and professionals from less represented demographics, and those from a wide span of academic and creative fields. It is an inclusive platform to discuss the many ways that tourism impacts animal lives around the world. For more information on EVAT visit our Facebook page. EVAT Information The Emerging Voices for Animals in Tourism (EVAT) conference is an interdisciplinary collaboration merging research from anthrozoological and multi-species scholarship, with critical tourism studies and animal ethics to bring together researchers across disciplines with an interest in advocating for animals in touristic contexts. Through scholarly research, collective problem solving, and ethical enquiry, we strengthen the bridge between "tourism academia" and "non-tourism academia". Specifically, we highlight fresh perspectives, emerging methodologies and innovative collaborative praxis to explore the role of animals in tourism whilst critically working towards more ethical human-animal interactions within the tourism and leisure space.