Dr. Viren is an Associate Professor in the Department of Recreation, Parks & Tourism at San Francisco State University. In 2018 she relocated to California after ten years at East Carolina University where she held the rank of Associate Professor and was Affiliate Faculty for the Center for Sustainable Tourism. Paige's passion for adventure travel began when she worked as a travel agent, eventually leading her to pursue an academic career in tourism. She worked in the travel industry 12+ years and holds several certifications including, Certified Travel Consultant and Certified Adventure Travel Specialist.
Paige has been conducting research for over 15 years in the areas of recreation, parks, tourism, and natural resources, more specifically in recreation planning and development, marketing, and sustainable tourism in rural areas. Dr. Viren’s research focuses on consumer behavior and tourism, specializing in adventure travel and community-based tourism. She works closely with the ATTA to examine traveler trends and industry issues contributing to the ongoing evolution of the sector. In 2018, ATTA published a revised definition of adventure travel based on Dr. Viren’s research. In addition to her pioneering work with the commercial adventure travel industry, Dr. Viren has extensive experience working with rural communities; developing tourism focused on economic diversification, protecting and enhancing the natural, cultural, and historic resources.
The dynamics of her industry and academic work provide Dr. Viren with unique and valuable insight, particularly the ability to translate research findings into practical application for tourism stakeholders. She is a longtime participant and advocate of adventure travel and believes adventure experiences promote cultural understanding, fulfill personal dreams, and encourage environmental sustainability. In her free time, Paige enjoys kayaking, hiking, and discovering new adventures in Northern California.