Title
Associate Professor of Hospitality Studies

Expertise

• Tourism
• Agritourism
• Destination management and promotion
• Marketing adventure tourism
• Hospitality marketing
• Hotel operations
• Hotel development

Biography

Alan Fairbairn started teaching at NYIT in 1985. He taught most of the original courses in hospitality management at NYIT, and was part of the team to design and propose a master’s program in hospitality management that is now offered at NYIT.

As a commercial real estate broker, he was responsible for marketing over $100 million in hotel assets in the 1990’s. He went on to open his own management company, Highland Services Industries Corp., which is currently the hospitality consultant for the design and construction of a 120 room waterfront conference center in Long Island and a 40 room boutique hotel in Manhattan.

Fairbairn’s career encompassed corporate positions in sales, marketing, and operations for companies including Pan American Airways and regional restaurant chains. He served as the general manager for the Hawksbill Beach Hotel in Antigua in the 1970’s. Upon returning to the states he developed, designed, opened and operated six restaurant concepts for himself and associates. One restaurant, “Panama Hatties,” was awarded with four stars.

He also provided start up services, interior design and furniture, fixture and equipment specifications for numerous Boys Clubs, Salvation Army Centers, and hotels. He consulted in start-up, purchase, and development of dozens of projects for his clients.

Fairbairn is the CEO of Agritourism International, a database where travelers can find rural lodgings and activities. He is a member of the Board of Directors for Long Island Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Long Island Hotel and Lodging Association. He received his master’s degree in communication arts from NYIT, and bachelor’s degree in hotel administration from Cornell University.

Request Alan Fairbairn for an interview or to speak at an event