ICOHT 2025 officially opened with inspiring remarks from global academic leaders, including:
• Prof. Dr. Ho Chin Kuan, Vice Chancellor, APU, Malaysia
• Mr. Isanka Gamage, Co-Founder & Managing Director, TIIKM, Sri Lanka
• Prof. Dr. Silva DAC Suranga, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
A true highlight was the keynote by Prof. Emeritus Dr. Jafar Jafari, widely recognized as the “Father
of Modern Tourism Studies.” His address reminded us of the intellectual heart of our field, and the need
to connect research with real-world impact.
Another milestone moment was the official launch of HTMi Switzerland – Kuala Lumpur Centre, a
collaboration between HTMi and APU Malaysia. It marked a new chapter for international hospitality
and tourism education in the region — and showed how ICOHT continues to drive forward-thinking
initiatives on a global scale.
As a Social Media Ambassador attending virtually, I’ve had the privilege of curating and sharing real
time content: quotes, session highlights, and behind-the-scenes moments that capture the spirit of the
conference. My goal has been clear — to spotlight ideas that matter and to create a digital thread
connecting attendees across borders.
At the same time, I was proud to present my research on Sustainable Hospitality Through Digital
Innovation, focusing on how emerging technologies can enhance guest experiences while reducing
environmental impact. Engaging in dialogue with fellow scholars around this topic has been both
professionally enriching and personally inspiring.
One of the most engaging sessions I attended was a panel exploring how AI is transforming guest
service standards in the hospitality and tourism industry. From robotic concierges to automated loyalty
upgrades, the panelists discussed both the opportunities and ethical dilemmas posed by rapid
automation.
What stood out most was the consensus: AI can improve efficiency, but it can never replace the
emotional intelligence and warmth that define true hospitality.
As one panelist put it, “You can’t replace a smile with a robot.”
Or, as I often remind my own students and peers:
“AI can automate the check-in — but only a human can make a guest feel at home.”
That’s because, in the end:
“Guests may forget what you said, guests may forget what you did, but guests never forget
how you made them feel.”
This, to me, is the heart of hospitality — and no algorithm can replicate that emotional connection.
Another thought-provoking session was the Distinguished Academia Panel on “The Growing
Importance of Hospitality and Tourism Education for International Accreditations and Global Rankings.”
As a virtual attendee, I appreciated how the conversation addressed curriculum design, quality
assurance, and the need for stronger industry-academic partnerships across borders.
The message was clear: preparing students for an AI-enhanced, sustainability-driven world
requires not just updated content, but updated mindsets in how we teach and collaborate globally.
ICOHT continues to position itself as a vital space where education meets innovation — and where
academic leaders unite to raise the bar for hospitality and tourism education worldwide.
This conference has reaffirmed something I’ve always believed: hospitality is more than service —
it’s connection. Whether through an academic paper, a social media post, or a conversation in a
breakout room, we’re here to learn, listen, and grow together.
To be part of ICOHT 2025 — as a presenter, storyteller, and ambassador — has been a privilege. I
look forward to continuing the conversation and contributing to this vibrant global community long after
the closing session.
Let’s keep creating, connecting, and imagining the future of hospitality — together.
Article by
Social Media Ambassador & Presenting Author – George Brown College, Canada