The Institute for Recreation and Tourism Management is the research and community service unit within the Recreation and Tourism Management Program at San Diego State University. It is primarily concerned with conducting leisure related research, promoting professional development, disseminating specialized publications, and organizing conferences, seminars, lectures and workshops.

The Institute is governed by a Board of Directors, which in turn is advised by a group of thirteen individuals from park and recreation and related fields. The Advisory Council has been instrumental in providing valuable information to the Board concerning the needs and direction of the recreation and tourism services field.

The Institute administers a variety of service programs within San Diego County. Camp Able at Coronado, an aquatic-based camp for disabled children and adults, operates ten weeks during the summer at Silver Strand State Beach. The Spring Valley Park and Recreation District within the San Miguel County service area (San Diego County) contracts for recreation services from the Institute for all its residents. Additionally, the Institute conducts research for local tourism, park and recreation entities as well as the California Department of Parks and Recreation and the United States Forest Service.

The Institute publishes monographs focusing on important issues relative to recreation and tourism services delivery. These are available to the public, as well as tourism and recreation practitioners. Research projects under the direction of the Institute focus on local, state, national, and international problems related to leisure, recreation, and tourism services.