Christopher Paul Cooper (28 Apr 1952 - 28 Jun 2025)

I was taught by Chris as an undergraduate in the 1980s and then had the pleasure of working alongside him as a researcher and lecturer at the University of Surrey for several years. I was so sorry to hear of his passing - he was a kind, compassionate, gentle-man with a modest, understated manner and a big heart, giving generously of his time and advice. I caught up with Chris 18 months or so ago after 25 years in the New Forest. It brought me pure joy to realise that in an uncertain and unpredictable world, he hadn't changed a bit!

Dear Geraldine, Robyn and Amy,
I had the pleasure of sharing an office with Chris when I worked at Leeds Beckett University, and feel extremely privileged to have been able to work so closely with someone who has had such a profound impact on tourism knowledge and scholarship globally at the start of my career.

More importantly though, I appreciated and felt inspired by Chris’ quiet but powerful willingness to share his knowledge and experience with others regardless of their career stage. This was particularly evident when we worked together to supervise Gerda Warnholtz-Brito to complete her PhD. During our time together at Leeds, Chris and I would often have a friendly chat over a cup of tea and it’s those times I will remember most fondly.

It was an honour to be able to attend the lovely service online today.
My heartfelt condolences and best wishes.

In memory of a true friend and wonderful personality who will be sorely missed. Gone too soon.

Sending condolences and a warm wishes to the family. I have learnt a lot about Christopher from reading the many kind and caring messages. Whilst I never met Christopher personally, I know Robyn well and it is clear that she shares that warms generosity and academic prowess of her father.

Chris, a true gentleman, a great scholar and occasionally my "partner in crime".
I had the honor of working with Chris and hosting him in our small town; his intellect, charm and humor would always create a unique positive energy. I will always be grateful for his time, support and friendship.
Chris wisdom, kindness and gentle determination will always be remembered.
My heartfelt condolences to Geraldine, Amy and Robyn.

Chris has always been the most supportive and caring colleague. I'll miss his impromptu morning chats in the office and his knowing when to offer his invaluable help. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends

Dear Geraldine, Amy and Robyn,
Please accept deepest condolences from both myself and Tim Goodfellow here at Goodfellow Publishers.
I had the privilege of working with Chris for over 25 years when I worked at Butterworth Heinemann to now at Goodfellow. We worked on new editions of Worldwide Destinations and I enjoyed many a good fish lunch with him in Bournemouth discussing plans for the next edition. He was always constant source of honest advice and support from at the start of my publishing career, and when Tim and I started Goodfellow Publishers back in 2008, for which we will ever be grateful. He was an amazing author with a natural writing talent – he instantly knew how to make a book ‘work’ and was always willing to impart spot-on advice and words of encouragement to others in their writing endeavours.
A true gentleman and a fantastic author – we will miss him hugely.
Our heartfelt condolences to you all.
Sally and Tim

Chris was a wonderful colleague and friend. He combined enthusiasm, expertise and humility so well that we all loved being around him at work. As so many others have said, he was such a great mentor. It was really nice that Geraldine also became such a regular visitor at LBU. We all miss him very much.

Dearest Geraldine, Robyn and Amy,

Sending you all so much love, and my deepest condolences.

Chris was a wonderful generous person, and I’m so glad to have known him. His memory will live on through all those who knew him and loved him. In the words of poet Andrea Gibson —

‘Dying is the opposite of leaving. When I left my body, I did not go away. That portal of light was not a portal to elsewhere, but a portal to here. I am more here than I ever was before. I am more with you than I ever could have imagined … Why did no one tell us that to die is to be reincarnated in those we love while they are still alive?’

All my love,
Rae

Dear Geraldine, Robyn and Amy

We are deeply saddened to hear about Chris’s untimely passing and send our deepest condolences.

Marion and Bruce

I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Prof. Chris, my PhD supervisor. He began supervising me at the beginning of my third year (in year 2023), and I was fortunate to have worked with him until the end. I truly wish I had had more time with him. I had hoped we would collaborate in the future, but sadly, that opportunity has now passed.

He supported me during some of the most frustrating and overwhelming moments of my PhD journey, always offering encouragement and belief in my work. I am especially grateful for his help in organizing my external examiner for the viva voce, a major milestone that I was able to reach because of his guidance.

My heartfelt condolences to his family. His kindness, wisdom, and quiet strength will always be remembered.

Attending with Brian Wheeller

Chris was not only a brilliant academic but also a generous mentor. He guided me through my very first independent academic paper on circus and creativity — with warmth, wisdom and unwavering encouragement. His kindness and belief in emerging voices continues to leave an imprint on my journey. I will always be grateful. My condolences to Geraldine, I am so so sorry for your loss.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Professor Chris Cooper, a highly respected scholar and leading figure in tourism studies. His contributions as a researcher, editor, and thought leader have profoundly shaped the discourse of our field.

Many of us have been inspired by his vision, dedication, and tireless efforts to advance tourism research globally. Beyond his academic excellence, Chris was a generous mentor—always willing to offer his time, wisdom, and encouragement. His support helped many of us strive for high-quality research, and he personally guided me (Snow) on how to become a responsible journal editor and how to effectively lead a research centre within higher education.

Professor Cooper was not only a brilliant academic but also a true gentleman—kind, humble, and gracious. His legacy will continue to influence our work and the broader academic community for years to come. He will be deeply missed.

Dear Geraldine, Robyn and Amy

I was so deeply saddened and shocked to hear about Chris’s untimely passing and send my deepest condolences.

I have had the great pleasure of working with Chris over the last 5 years. I always looked forward to meeting with Chris. A catch up on news about holidays, house renovations, gardening and chocolate sales always took precedence before work began!

Without question Chris has had a profound and positive impact upon the lives of so many and made a huge academic contribution to the field of tourism. He will forever be remembered as a kind and gentle man who was forever supportive and encouraging of others.

I hope that during what I know will be an incredibly difficult time, that you will find strength and comfort in knowing how well liked, respected and admired Chris was by all. Thinking of you all and keeping you in my thoughts.

Dear Geraldine, Robyn and Amy

With my deepest condolences for the loss of Chris.

Chris supervised my Masters dissertation at Surrey in 1992 and has been a mentor ever since. His curiosity for the tourism phenomena was infectious, and he was instrumental in encouraging me to study for a PhD and embark upon a tourism academic career. Don’t go back to Geography he said – stick with tourism, it’s more fun – he was right! Always generous with his time he shared his expertise willingly, from all things scholarly to the best shrubs to grow in chalky soils and tips to train an unruly cocker spaniel. Chris was a kind, modest, inspirational person who will be greatly missed. He leaves a legacy to tourism academia of which you and his wider family can be immensely proud. With best wishes, Adele

Chris was not only an outstanding scholar but also a very kind and supportive mentor. He had a way of seeing the best in people and inspiring them to grow. I believe that his generosity and positive spirit will be remembered by all of us whose lives he touched. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and all who held him dear.