Marta Soligo

Assistant Professor, William F. Harrah College of Hospitality
Director of Tourism Research, 51ԹϺ Office of Economic Development
Expertise: Sociology of tourism and leisure, Tourism development and social justice, Sustainable travel, Health tourism, Film-induced tourism, Dark tourism and thrillertainment, Cultural tourism, Agritourism, Festival tourism, Sports tourism, Tourist attractions

Biography

Marta Soligo is a sociologist and hospitality professor who serves as the director of tourism research with 51ԹϺ's Office of Economic Development. Her work examines various facets of travel and tourism — including culture, sports, and entertainment — through a sociological, social justice, and environmental sustainability lens. 

Soligo is the academic lead for the 51ԹϺ Tourism Development, Diversification, and Resiliency Initiative — a project that aims to diversify Las Vegas’ tourism economy and its beneficiaries. In particular, the initiative centers around cultural, sports, and medical tourism in Southern Nevada, with a focus on support programs for disadvantaged businesses.

In addition to educating 51ԹϺ students as an assistant professor with the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality, the Italy native teaches a University of Bergamo master’s course in Planning and Management of Tourism Systems. She has also offered "Sociology of Leisure," a 51ԹϺ course part of the UN World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) “Tourism for the Sustainable Development Goals for 2030” program.

Soligo’s interests include tourism and social justice, community development, and immigrant labor within the hospitality industry. Additionally, her sociological research has focused on a wide range of themes, such as film-induced tourism, dark tourism (travel to places historically associated with death and tragedy), and gambling studies. She has presented her works at several conferences hosted by professional associations and international institutions, such as the UNWTO and the American Sociological Association.

Education

  • Ph.D., 51ԹϺ
  • M.A., Planning and Management of Tourism Systems, Università degli Studi di BergamoUniversità degli Studi di Bergamo
  • B.A., Foreign Languages and Literatures, Università degli Studi di BergamoUniversità degli Studi di Bergamo

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Marta Soligo In The News

Newsweek
Mississippi has the lowest portion of passport holders in the United States, a new study has found. The study by the travel company Rustic Pathways, which ranked U.S. states by the percentage of residents who hold a valid passport, revealed that residents in the south and Midwest are the least likely to have the documents needed to cross U.S. borders.
Straight Arrow News
Immigration policies and evolving tariff proposals have taken a toll on the city’s economy and job prospects, affecting tourism, housing and the cost of living. Those factors, alongside rising costs for tourists and locals, along with a high unemployment rate, suggest people are spending their money elsewhere. And residents are feeling the squeeze.
Global Traveler
This increased interest in agritourism and, more specifically, farm stays, is no surprise, according to Dr. Marta Soligo, assistant professor, William F. Harrah College of Hospitality, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. During the COVID-19 pandemic, outdoor recreation and tourism garnered increased attention, a trend still growing today.
Desert Companion
A long, rolling mindwipe through the healing beauty of the West would be good for me mentally, emotionally, even spiritually. Perhaps for you, too. But what about ethically? After all, we’re a quarter of the way through the 21st century, and we should no longer operate as if blithely unaware of travel’s complicated, adverse impacts: the way fossil fuels worsen climate change; the eco-damage caused by tourists trampling our lovely places to find their selfies; the social stratifications reified by the privileges of leisure travel.

Articles Featuring Marta Soligo

51ԹϺ seasonal eggs
Campus News | May 1, 2025

A collection of colorful headlines featuring 51ԹϺ staff and students.

Spring flowers
Campus News | April 3, 2025

The students and faculty of 51ԹϺ are springing into headlines around the country.

spring flowers
Campus News | March 6, 2025

The rosiest headlines and highlights featuring the students and faculty of 51ԹϺ.