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.

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.

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 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.

DR. CAROL KLINE I am a Professor and the Director of the Hospitality & Tourism Management program at Appalachian State University. Some of the classes I teach are Sustainable Tourism, Destination Management, Attraction Management, and International Tourism. My course, Animals, Tourism, and Sustainability, is the only course in the United States dedicated to animal based tourism. I believe that students should engage with the industry as much as possible through internships, seasonal employment, and industry meetings. My students have engaged in practical projects while working with a number of partners (e.g. hotels, community events, trade associations) both inside and outside of the classroom. I am a strong advocate for traveling and studying abroad - and strive to bring international issues into the curriculum - so that my students can be good global citizens. I am proud to be on the faculty of the Walker College of Business since 2014. Prior to that I worked at East Carolina University, North Carolina Central University, and North Carolina State University - where I earned my MS and PhD. STUDY ABROAD Below are the titles of the programs that I have run. Animals, Tourism, & Sustainability (Ongoing) Ecotourism in Ecuador 2015 Animal-based Voluntourism in Costa Rica 2019 Cuba at a Crossroads: Tourism Amid Political Change 2012 & 2013 Climate Change in the French Alps: Voluntourism Approaches 2017 Landscapes in Ecotourism, Ghana West Africa 2005-2008

Back Throughout my career, I have been engaged in a number of capacity building programs. Initially, I worked for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service where I founded NC Tourism Extension in 2000. I also partnered with The Conservation Fund Resourceful Communities Program, Handmade in America, Recreation Resources Service, and various destination marketing organizations working throughout NC’s 85 rural counties. While at East Carolina University (2010-2014), I was apart of the Talent Enhancement and Capacity Building program led by Mr. Kenny Flowers. Recently, the Rural Community Capacity program (RC2) was initiated at AppState based on the work that Kenny and I did at ECU. From 2022-2024 the RC2 program served over 60 rural communities all over the state. RC2 is a set of principles that can be applied to any cultural or geographical contexts including international locales. Capacity building is defined as developing skills and confidence to tackle local problems. Tough issues require an internal and external perspective and multidisciplinary approaches. Capacity building is simply sorting through all of the tools in the toolbox to support local visions. The UPLIFT program, which is designed to support community driven initiatives, began in 2022. Over the course of three years, UPLIFT is serving many rural communities in North Carolina by supporting the local vision for tourism development. Programs have included festival trainings, tourism incubator, grant and loan assistance, webinars on a variety of topics, PR support, and targeted initiatives for destination marketing organizations. For more details about this go to www.uplifttourism.com . Soon the UPLIFT program will be expanding to other states and destinations. Please contact UPLIFT for more information and/or myself to conduct workshops in your community/organization. Capacity Building

Consulting I have engaged in professional consulting since 2000. I conduct research, deliver workshops, provide keynote speeches, conduct strategic planning, and engage in capacity building. More information about these activities is below. Capacity Building Read More Speaking Read More Planning Read More

STRIVING FOR A MULTISPECIES WORLD VIEW CV BIO I am Professor and the Director of the Hospitality and Tourism Management program at Appalachian State University. I founded the NC Tourism Extension Program in 2000 and have worked with rural communities in NC and beyond for 30 years. My research interests have historically focused on topics relevant to rural communities, such as foodie segmentation, craft beverages, agritourism, cultural and heritage tourism, ecotourism, & tourism entrepreneurship, however, now I solely focus on animal ethics and animal welfare. I am currently enrolled in graduate studies at Lewis & Clark Law School. I anticipate graduation in 2026 with an Animal Law Masters of Study in Law (MSL) .

Back Speaking I am available to speak on many topics in rural tourism or animal tourism, a sample of presentation titles are below. Please contact me to discuss these or other ideas. Rural Tourism The Building Blocks of a Rural Economy Is Sustainable Tourism an Oxymoron? Implementing a Local Wildlife Tourism Program Animal Tourism Animal Magnetism in Tourism How To Be An Ethical Animal Tourist Implementing a Local Wildlife Tourism Program The Current State of Animal Tourism Around the World

Back Media & Features Articles Tourism As A Driver Of Local Economies – And Animal Exploitation. Faunalytics. July 23, 2025. READ HERE Why can't tourists stop messing with wild animals? By Andrea Sachs. The Washington Post. June 16, 2023. READ HERE Animal rides are cruel, advocates say. So why are we still doing them? By Andrea Sachs. The Washington Post. March 29, 2023. READ HERE Podcasts & Radio Shows Wildlife Wednesdays Webinar with Carol Kline & Taylor Bass. Interactions + Attractions. Coming soon! In Tune to Nature Podcast - Wildlife Equity and Multi-Species Tourism Justice: Professor Carol Kline on Sustainable Tourism and Animals. July 24, 2024. LISTEN HERE Charlotte Talks gets behind the wheel with NC road trips, summer traveling tips. Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins (Guest Host: Sarah Delia). June 30, 2024. LISTEN HERE The Animal Turn - Bonus: Animals and Tourism with Carol Kline and Jes Hooper. Hosted by Claudia Hirtenfelder. February 23, 2023. LISTEN HERE Engaging Children and Animals with Marika Bell - Fanimal with Carol Kline and Nora Livingstone. The Deal With Animals. October 24, 2022. LISTEN HERE Become a FANIMAL with Carol Kline! VegFest Expos - Hosted by Helene Greenberg. May 6, 2021. LISTEN HERE ACT Radio - Carol Kline on how to be a socially conscious traveler. Hosted by Liz and Tom. Station KTEP. April 11, 2021. LISTEN HERE