Acadia ALERT - Campus Closed (Weather)

Today, Tuesday, January 27, 2026, Acadia University will remain closed, with the exception of residences and Wheelock Dining Hall, due to the current campus and travel conditions. Wheelock Dining Hall may adjust their hours and any change in hours will be communicated through Residence Life.

Employees and students are not expected to come to campus and only employees deemed essential are required to report to work. Non-essential employees are not expected to work during the closure. Any events scheduled for today will be postponed or cancelled.

Updates will be posted on www.acadiau.ca and pre-recorded on Acadia’s Information Line: 902-585-4636 (585-INFO) and on 585 phone system voicemail. If you need emergency-related information, please contact the Department of Safety and Security by dialing 88 on all 585-phone systems, or by calling 902-585-1103.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Acadia University

Department of Safety & Security

902-585-1103

security@acadiau.ca

(Tuesday January 27, 2026 @ 9:42 am)

Brian VanBlarcom

Brian VanBlarcom

 Associate Professor

Office Location:
BAC 342
Phone:
(902) 585-1137
E-mail:
brian.vanblarcom@acadiau.ca
 
Undergraduate:
Acadia University, 1983
Master’s:
Acadia University, 1985
PhD:
Clemson University, 2001

Research Interests:

  • Tourism
  • Sports and Recreation
  • Financial Markets

Current CV

  

Courses:

  • Econ 1013Microeconomic Principals
  • Econ 1023 Macroeconomic Principles
  • Econ 3133 Financial Markets
  • Econ 3143 Financial Institutions
  • Econ 3733 Economics of Sport & Recreation
  • Econ 3743 Economics of Tourism
  • Econ 3823 Urban Economics
  • Econ 1013 Micro Principles (Distance Education)
  • Econ 1023 Macro Principals (Distance Education)
  • Econ 3733/3743 Economics of Sport/Recreation(Distance Education)
  • Econ 3743 Economics of Tourism (Distance Education)

 

Current Research:

  • An Economic Impact Assessment of the Wine Industry in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia.

  • Assessing the Economic Impact of Cruise Tourism in Atlantic Canada.

Recent Publications:

  • “Heterogeneity in the Economic Impacts of a UNESCO World Heritage Designation: Evidence from Nova Scotia.” With Dr. Burc Kayahan. In UNESCO: Current Issues and Challenges, Editors: Miyako Ali. NOVA Publications, (June, 2018). 

  • "The Tourism Multiplier" The Sage International Encyclopedia of Travel and Tourism, Sage Publications(June23, 2017).

  • VanBlarcom, B. & Janmaat, J. (2013) “Comparing the Costs and Health Benefits of a Proposed Rail Trail.” Special issue of the Journal of Policy Research on Tourism, Leisure and Events: Advancing Healthy Communities through Tourism, Leisure and Events, 5(2), pg 2-20.

  • “Assessing the Potential Economic Impact of Tidal Power Development in Nova Scotia.” Part of the Acadia University’s Tidal Institute Toolkit for tidal power development. http://tidalenergy.acadiau.ca/community-business-toolkit-.html

  •  “Cost Benefit Analysis of a World Heritage Designation in Nova Scotia,” (2012) with Dr. Cevat Kayahan, Review of Economic Analysis, 4(2)

  • Assessing the economic impact of a UNESCO World Heritage designation, with Dr. Burc Kayahan,  Journal of Heritage Tourism, Vol.6, Iss.2, 2011.

  • Cost Benefit Analysis of World Heritage Site designation in Nova Scotia: Lunenburg and Grand Pré, with Dr. Burc Kayahan,  Conference Proceedings: World heritage and Tourism: Managing the Global and the Local. Quebec City, June 2010.
  • Assessing the Incremental Economic Impact of An Indoor Soccer Facility on a Local Economy,  in International Sport: A Research Synthesis,Christos Anagnostopoulos editor. Published by the Athens Institute for Education and Research, May 2010.
  • The Impact of All Terrain Vehicle Access on Demand for a Proposed Trail, with John Janmaat. In Managing Leisure, Volume 14, Issue 1 , January 2009.

Thesis Supervised:

  • ECON 4996 Honours Thesis - James Kyte, "UNESCO World Heritage Site Visitation in Nova Scotia: Determinants of Tourist Expenditures and Economic Impacts." (Completed April, 2016)
  • ECON 4996 Honours Thesis – Connor Thompson, "An Economic Impact Analysis of the Wine Industry in Kings County, Nova Scotia"(Completed April, 2015).
  • ECON 4996 Honours Thesis - Hannah Main, A Benefit/Cost Analysis of Constructing Bicycle Lanes in Truro, Nova Scotia (Completed April, 2013).
  •  ECON 4996 Honours Thesis - Co- Supervisor (with Dr. Kayahan), Ethan Purdy, An Economic Impact Assessment of a UNESCO Designation in Eastern Canada (Completed April, 2013).
  • ECON 4996 Honours Thesis - Co- Supervisor (with Dr. Paul Hobson): Qian Wang, A Comparison of the Tax Systems in Canada and China.  (Completed October, 2012).
  • ECON 4996 Honours Thesis - Co- Supervisor (with Dr. Paul Hobson): Yutong Zhang, Is a Carbon Added Tax Preferable to A Carbon Tax for Canada? (Completed October, 2012).
  • ECON 4996 Honours Thesis – Andrew Williams – Honours Thesis Economics - An Examination of the Canadian Mortgage Broker Industry (completed March 2010).
  • ECON 4996 Honours Thesis – Adam MacLeod, Assessing the Economic Impact of a UNESCO World Heritage Designation for Grand Pre (Completed April 2009).
  • ECON 4996 Honours Thesis - Al Lebo, Wage Discrimination in the National Hockey League (Completed April, 2006).
  • BUSI 4996 Honours Thesis – Paul Frazier, Hedge Fund Regulation (Completed April 2006).
  • BUSI 4996 Honours Thesis – Doug Shipliow, Determinants of Success in the National Hockey League Salary Arbitration.(Completed April 2006).
  • ECON 4996 Honours Thesis - Michael Ball, Economic Impact of Blomidon Provincial Park (Completed April 2004).
  • ECON 4996, Honours Thesis - Kate Wagner, Estimating the Value of Paper Preservation at Acadia (Completed April 2003).

Affiliations:

  • Travel and Tourism Research Association
  • International Society of Culture, Tourism & Hospitality Research
  • Atlantic Canada Economics Association

Awards:

  • Acadia University Student Union Leadership in Teaching Award (2011/2012).
  • Acadia University Alumni Award for Community Engagement,  2010
  • Acadia University Student Union Teaching Recognition Award (2006/2007).
  • Acadia University Student Union Teaching Recognition Award (2003/2004).

Hobbies:

  • Golf
  • Reading
  • Travelling