Associate Professor Gill Pomfret PhD, PGCFHE, PG Diploma, BSc (Hons)
Associate Professor in Tourism
Summary
My key roles are research, teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and supervision of doctoral students. My research interests focus on different aspects of consumer behaviour in tourism, particularly applied to outdoor tourism in nature.
About
I have extensive experience in teaching, course design, developing new modules, and leading tourism-related courses at UK universities. I currently teach on a range of tourism and management modules at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. I also supervise and examine PhD and DBA (professional doctorate) students in areas related to my research expertise.
My research interests predominantly focus on consumer behaviour in tourism although I have investigated other areas of tourism. Key themes include adventure tourism, motives encouraging adventure activity participation and wellbeing benefits, constraint negotiation, adventure tourism experiences, family tourists, senior tourists, heritage tourism, temporal variations in tourism, and gender. I co-authored one of the first textbooks on adventure tourism (Adventure Tourism: The New Frontier, 2003).
My other publications include journal articles and book chapters on adventure tourists, including mountaineering tourists and family adventure tourists, environmental tourists, and tourism planning. Additionally, I have been involved in various consultancy projects, including working with Sheffield City Council to develop The Outdoor City brand. I also collaborate with researchers at other universities on projects concerned with the wellbeing benefits of outdoor tourism participation, and inclusive outdoor tourism. I am a committee member of the Adventure Tourism Research Association (ATRA) and the Outdoor Recreation Research Group (ORRG).
Teaching
Department of Service Sector Management
College of Business, Technology and Engineering
Tourism and Hospitality
I teach on the following courses:
- MSc International Tourism Management
- MSc International Hospitality and Tourism Management
- BSc (Hons) International Tourism Management
- BSc (Hons) Tourism and Hospitality Business Management
- BSc (Hons) International Tourism Management with Languages
- BA (Hons) Languages with Tourism
- BSc (Hons) Airline and Airport Management
Modules taught from 2020 include:
- Consumer Behaviour in Aviation (L4)
- Consumer Behaviour in Tourism (L4)
- Introduction to Adventure Tourism (L5)
- Managing Visitor Attractions (L5)
- Research Project (L6)
- Tourism Consultancy Experience (L6)
- Visitor Attractions Management (L7)
- Dissertation (L7)
Research
- Social and Economic Research Institute
1. Exploring the links between adventure, wellbeing and national parks (with La Trobe University, Australia)
2. A systematic literature review of how adventure influences subjective wellbeing (with the University of Applied Management and Internationale Hochschule, Germany
3. Investigating the barriers to accessing protected areas for people with disabilities during Covid-19 (La Rochelle, France)
4. Developing a typology of senior visitors to UK heritage attractions
Collaborative research projects:
1. Project with researchers at La Trobe University exploring the links between adventure, wellbeing and national parks. The project investigates how adventure activity participation in the Peak District National Park and Wilson's Promontory National Park (Victoria, Australia) contributes towards the wellbeing of tourists and recreationists.
2. Project with researchers at the University of Applied Management (Germany) and IUBH International University (Germany) which explores the beneficial effects of adventure tourism participation through a systematic literature review and content analysis of International Adventure Conference proceedings.
Publications
Key Publications
Pomfret, G., & Doran, A. (2015). Gender and mountaineering tourism. In Musa, G., Thompson-Carr, A., & Higham, J. (Eds.) Mountaineering Tourism. (pp. 138-155). Routledge: http://doi.org/10.4324/9781315769202
Pomfret, G. (2009). Package mountaineer tourists holidaying in the French Alps: an evaluation of key influences encouraging their participation.
Swarbrooke, J., Beard, C., Leckie, S., & Pomfret, G. (2003). Adventure tourism : the new frontier. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann. http://www.elsevierdirect.com/product.jsp?isbn=9780750651868&ref=CWS1
Journal articles
Farkić, J., May, C., Pomfret, G., Sand, M., & Shahvali, M. (2025). Restoring ‘Love of Life’ Through Outdoor Adventures: A Biophilic Approach. International Journal of Tourism Research, 27 (2). http://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.70023
Pomfret, G., Sand, M., May, C., & Farkić, J. (2025). Exploring the Transformational Role of Regular Nature-Based Adventure Activity Engagement in Mental Health and Long-Term Eudaimonic Well-Being. Behavioral Sciences, 15 (4). http://doi.org/10.3390/bs15040418
Pomfret, G., Frost, J., & Frost, W. (2024). Exploring the benefits of outdoor activity participation in national parks: a case study of the Peak District National Park, England. Annals of Leisure Research. http://doi.org/10.1080/11745398.2024.2358776
Pomfret, G., Mellon, V., & Schofield, P. (2023). Developing a typology of older visitors to heritage attractions. Leisure/Loisir. http://doi.org/10.1080/14927713.2023.2291035
Pomfret, G., Sand, M., & May, C. (2023). Conceptualising the power of outdoor adventure activities for subjective well-being: A systematic literature review. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 42. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jort.2023.100641
Doran, A., Pomfret, G., & Adu-Ampong, E. (2022). MIND THE GAP: a systematic review of the knowledge contribution claims in adventure tourism research. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 51, 238-251. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2022.03.015
Pomfret, G. (2021). Family adventure tourism: Towards hedonic and eudaimonic wellbeing. Tourism Management Perspectives, 39. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2021.100852
Pomfret, G., & Varley, P. (2019). Families at leisure outdoors: well-being through adventure. Leisure studies. http://doi.org/10.1080/02614367.2019.1600574
Doran, A., & Pomfret, G. (2019). Exploring efficacy in personal constraint negotiation: an ethnography of mountaineering tourists. Tourist studies. http://doi.org/10.1177/1468797619837965
Pomfret, G. (2018). Conceptualising family adventure tourist motives, experiences and benefits. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism.
Pomfret, G., & Bramwell, B. (2014). The characteristics and motivationaldecisions of outdoor adventure tourists: a review and analysis. Current Issues in Tourism, 19 (14), 1447-1478. http://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2014.925430
Pomfret, G. (2012). Personal emotional journeys associated with adventure activities on personal emotional journeys associated with adventure activities on packaged mountaineering holidays. Tourism Management Perspectives, 4, 145-154. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2012.08.003
Pomfret, G. (2011). Package mountaineer tourists holidaying in the French Alps: An evaluation of key influences encouraging their participation. Tourism Management, 32 (3), 501-510. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2010.04.001
Harlow, S., & Pomfret, G. (2007). Evolving environmental tourism experiences in Zambia. Journal of ecotourism, 6 (3), 184. http://doi.org/10.2167/joe182.0
Bramwell, B., & Pomfret, G.C. (2007). Planning for lake and lake shore tourism: complexity, coordination and adaptation. Anatolia, 18 (1), 43-66.
Pomfret, G. (2006). Mountaineering adventure tourists: a conceptual framework for research. Tourism management, 27 (1), 113-123. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2004.08.003
Book chapters
Rantala, O., Pomfret, G., & Doran, A. (2025). Reconceptualising adventure tourism. In Pomfret, G., Doran, A., & Cater, C. (Eds.) Routledge International Handbook of Adventure Tourism. (pp. 7-26). London: Routledge: http://doi.org/10.4324/9781003393153
Rantala, O., Pomfret, G., & Doran, A. (2025). Reconceptualising adventure tourism. In Pomfret, G., Doran, A., & Cater, C. (Eds.) Routledge International Handbook of Adventure Tourism. (pp. 7-26). London: Routledge: http://doi.org/10.4324/9781003393153
Pomfret, G. (2025). The adventure tourist. In Pomfret, G., Doran, A., & Cater, C. (Eds.) Routledge International Handbook of Adventure Tourism. (pp. 115-132). London: Routledge: http://doi.org/10.4324/9781003393153
Pomfret, G. (2025). The adventure tourist. In Pomfret, G., Doran, A., & Cater, C. (Eds.) Routledge International Handbook of Adventure Tourism. (pp. 115-132). London: Routledge: http://doi.org/10.4324/9781003393153
Pomfret, G., Doran, A., & Cater, C. (2025). Introduction. In Routledge International Handbook of Adventure Tourism. (pp. 1-3). Routledge: http://doi.org/10.4324/9781003393153-1
Goulding, P., & Pomfret, G. (2022). Managing temporal variations at visitor attractions. In Fyall, A., Garrod, B., Leask, A., & Wanhill, S. (Eds.) Managing Visitor Attractions. 3rd edition. (pp. 213-233). London: Routledge: https://www.routledge.com/Managing-Visitor-Attractions/Fyall-Garrod-Leask-Wanhill/p/book/9780367486136
Books
Pomfret, G., Doran, A., & Cater, C. (Eds.). (2025). Routledge International Handbook of Adventure Tourism. Routledge. https://www.routledge.com/Routledge-International-Handbook-of-Adventure-Tourism/Pomfret-Doran-Cater/p/book/9781032316925
Smith, A., Foster, N., Pomfret, G., & Whalley, P. (Eds.). (2004). Barcelona and Catalonia: A fieldwork guide. Sheffield Hallam University: Sheffield Hallam University.
Reports
Gregory, M., Pomfret, G., & Doran, A. (2020). The Outdoor City Adventure Breaks - Evaluation Report.
Gregory, M., Doran, A., & Pomfret, G. (2018). Adrenaline fuelled city breaks: Research summary report.
Theses / Dissertations
Lešnik, J. (2020). (Un)healthy lifestyles of Sheffield’s residents: Socio-economic and psychosocial deprivation. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Schofield, P., & Pomfret, G. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00366
Doran, A. (2019). Women's mountaineering tourism experiences: The constraint negotiation process and benefits of participation. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Pomfret, G. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00203
Pomfret, G. (2016). An exploration of adventure tourism participation and consumption. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Palmer, N.
Benur, A.M. (2013). Product diversification, product relationships, and the ecomic resilience of Libyan tourist destinations. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Bramwell, B., Pomfret, G., & Wang, Y.
Presentations
Pomfret, G., Farkic, J., May, C., & Sand, M. (2024). Cultivating love through shared adventures in the outdoors. Presented at: ATLAS Annual Conference 2024: Leisure & Tourism 2030: Navigating the Future, University of Breda, The Netherlands
Pomfret, G., Farkic, J., May, C., & Sand, M. (2024). Cultivating love through shared adventures in the outdoors. Presented at: ATLAS Annual Conference 2024: Leisure & Tourism 2030: Navigating the Future, University of Breda, The Netherlands
Pomfret, G., Sand, M., May, C., & Farcik, J. (2023). Outdoor adventure, subjective well-being and culture for adventurers from Germany, Serbia and the UK. Presented at: 10th International Adventure Conference, Germany
Pomfret, G., Sand, M., & May, C. (2022). Exploring the interplay between outdoor adventure, well-being and culture. Presented at: Explorers Connect: Adventure Mind Conference, Conisbrough (UK)
Pomfret, G. (2020). Families, outdoor adventure activities and wellbeing. Presented at: Family fun: Making active travel inclusive for families, Healthy Active Cities Research Group, University of Salford
Pomfret, G. (2020). Family adventure tourism and wellbeing. Presented at: Explorers Connect: Adventure Mind Conference, YHA London Lee Valley
Pomfret, G. (2020). The shifting focus of adventure tourism: academic & industry perspectives. Presented at: Celebrating 30 years of outdoor programmes event, Solent University, Southampton
Pomfret, G. (2019). Families at leisure outdoors: well-being through adventure. Presented at: International Adventure Conference, Dumfries, Scotland
Pomfret, G. (2019). Sheffield: The Outdoor City. Presented at: Nature Tourism and Sustainability Conference (Jornadas sobre Turismo de Naturaleza y Sostenibilidad), Tolosa, Spain
Pomfret, G. (2018). An exploration of family adventure tourist motives, experiences and benefits. Presented at: 6th International Adventure Conference, Segovia, Spain
Pomfret, G. (2017). A conceptual framework for family adventure tourists. Presented at: INVTUR, Aveiro, Portugal
Pomfret, G. (2014). Active families and adventure tourism. Presented at: 3rd International Adventure Conference, Sogndal, Norway
Pomfret, G., & Doran, A. (2014). The role of gender in mountaineering tourism. Presented at: Adventure Tourism Research Association Seminar, Sheffield Hallam University
Pomfret, G. (2013). Outdoor adventure tourists: characteristics, motives and motivational influences. Presented at: 2nd International Adventure Conference, Skye, Scotland
Pomfret, G. (2012). Personal emotional journeys and packaged mountaineering holidays. Presented at: 1st International Adventure Conference, Fort William, Scotland
Other activities
Adventure Tourism Research Association (ATRA): Steering group committee member
Postgraduate supervision
Current:
1. The impact of value chain governance on selected stakeholders of tourism clusters
2. Heuristics and biases in business travel management
Completed:
1. Women's mountaineering experiences: the constraint negotiation process and benefits of participation
2. Product diversification, product relationships and the economic resilience of Libyan tourist destinations