David L. Edgell, Sr. is Professor Emeritus of trade, tourism and economic development at East Carolina University (ECU). Dr. Edgell has written 16 books on different subjects related to travel and tourism and has produced over a hundred articles on trade, tourism, and economic development. Over his career he has directed or been involved with international tourism policies in many different capacities. He served on the panel of National Geographic Society's Sustainable Tourism Initiative and worked on tourism policy and sustainable tourism issues through his representation at the United Nations World Tourism Organization, the Organization for Economic and Cooperation and Development, the Organization of American States, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, and the Caribbean Tourism Organization.