The Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the university has been placed first nationally in the Hospitality and Tourism Management Programs category of the ShanghaiRanking 2026 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, marking the seventh consecutive year of the top position. In the same ShanghaiRanking assessment, the university is ranked second in the nation for Transportation Science and Technology and remains within the top ten for the seventh year in a row. The rankings are based on research‑focused indicators such as output, quality, international collaboration and academic influence.
The university’s research spans tourism, lodging, events, food service, consumer behavior, technology and the management of hospitality organizations, with recent studies covering entrepreneurial ecosystems, hospitality in healthcare and consumer acceptance of drone food delivery. A partnership with Universal Destinations & Experiences has created the Universal School of Experience Leadership & Innovation to explore service robotics, AR and VR simulation technologies and artificial intelligence. According to a 2025 report from the World Travel and Tourism Council, travel and tourism contribute $11.6 trillion to global GDP and support about one in nine jobs worldwide.
Press release issued by UCF Today:
https://www.ucf.edu/news/ucf-ranks-no-1-in-nation-for-hospitality-for-7th-year-no-2-for-transportation-science-for-2026/
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