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

BBC
As the list of nations issuing travel warnings to the US grows, some visitors are opting to boycott it entirely. Here's why many foreigners are changing their travel plans and what this could mean for Americans.
Financial Times
Lucas Sielaff was in a car queue waiting to cross from Mexico into the US.
Next Avenue
On a pitch-dark fall evening, I leaned back against a wooden platform in the Tobeatic Wilderness in Nova Scotia, Canada, my chilled fingers wrapped around a tin cup of hot chocolate, and opened my eyes to gaze at the night sky. I spotted familiar constellations: the Big Dipper poised to take a scoop of water, Orion stringing his bow, Cassiopeia eternally suspended upside-down on her throne. Between and beyond them stretched a never-ending, silvery web of stars and planets.
The Boston Globe
The landscape is otherworldly and seemingly unpopulated but for a forest of the iconic, human-like saguaro cactus native only to this part of the world.

Articles Featuring Marta Soligo

spring flowers
Campus News | March 6, 2025

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

A 51ԹϺ student studies with the Strip in the distance.
Campus News | February 4, 2025

Headlines and highlights featuring the students and faculty of 51ԹϺ.

51ԹϺ XMAS
Campus News | December 3, 2024

This month’s frosty headlines and highlights from the students and faculty of 51ԹϺ.

unlv pumpkins
Campus News | November 4, 2024

A monthly roundup of the top news stories at 51ԹϺ, featuring the presidential election, gaming partnerships, and much more.