Organised by the SHTM, the 21st Asia Pacific Forum for Graduate Students Research in Tourism (APF) was held from 14 to 16 May 2025 at the School in Hong Kong. Continuing a proud tradition, a group of talented SHTM undergraduate students from the Practice of Special Events Class managed the forum as their final-year project.
Since its inception in 2002, the APF has served as an excellent platform for graduate students and emerging scholars to showcase their innovative research in the ever-evolving sectors of tourism and hospitality. The forum fosters knowledge exchange and interdisciplinary collaboration while addressing the latest trends and challenges in the Asia Pacific region and beyond.
Moderated by SHTM Ph.D. students Cyan Zheng and Ratiibu Ssemata, the first day of the forum kicked off with a panel discussion entitled "Meeting the Editors", featuring the following panellists:
- Professor Kaye Chon, SHTM Dean, Chair Professor and Walter and Wendy Kwok Family Foundation Professor in International Hospitality Management; Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing and Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research.
- Professor Haiyan Song, SHTM Associate Dean, Chair Professor, Mr and Mrs Chan Chak Fu Professor in International Tourism, and Director of the Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism; Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of China Tourism Research.
- Professor Cathy Hsu, SHTM Chair Professor and Editor-in-Chief of Tourism Management.
- Professor Haiyan Kong, Professor of Tourism Management at Shandong University and Regional Editor (China) of the Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research.
- Professor Honggen Xiao, SHTM Assistant Dean and Professor; Managing Editor of the Journal of China Tourism Research.
The session concluded with invaluable insights and tips from the panellists on submitting papers to academic journals.
The second day of the APF began with opening remarks by Dean Kaye Chon, followed by a panel discussion entitled "From Graduate to Scholar: Insights from Early-Career Academics". Four SHTM Assistant Professors, namely Faye Hao, Dori Davari, Simone Bianco and Wangoo Lee, shared their journeys into academia, offering inspiring stories, practical tips and insider advice on topics ranging from academic study and networking to maintaining a balanced personal life. Moderated by SHTM Ph.D. students Daffne Qiu and Jacky Yang, the discussion received an overwhelming response from the audience. The day continued with three parallel sessions featuring paper presentations on a range of tourism and hospitality-related topics.
The final day of the APF featured a dynamic panel discussion entitled "From Graduate to Industry Leader: The Journey to Professional Success". Moderated by Professor Simone Bianco, the session brought together several distinguished industry experts, listed as follows:
- Dr Robin Ning, General Manager, Hualuxe Kunming.
- Ms Sylvia Chung, Chief Business Impact Officer, Chinachem Group.
- Ms Renee Kim, General Manager, Regala Skycity Hotel.
- Mr Calvin Yuen, Senior Manager, Headquarters Food & Beverage, Shangri-La Group.
- Mr Pierandrea Falchi, Cost Controller, Swire Hotels.
The panellists shared their success stories and offered valuable career advice. The discussion was followed by two parallel paper presentation sessions.
The forum culminated in the highly anticipated Best Paper Award Presentation, presented by SHTM Dean Kaye Chon and Associate Professor Sung Gyun Mun. The winners were:
- First Prize – David Chai from Tianjin Foreign Studies University, Yidan Ma from Liaoning University, Yangjun Le from Tianjin Foreign Studies University, and Jian Li from Beihang University for their paper entitled "Beyond Profit: Public Service Motivation and Community Citizenship Behaviour in Rural Tourism".
- Second Prize – Jun Zhang from China Academy of Social Management/Beijing Normal University and SHTM Associate Professor Alice Hon for their paper entitled "Organisational Cultures Influence Employee Innovation amid Tourism Digital Transformation: The Mediating Roles of Openness and Resistance".
- Third Prize – Thu-Huong Luu Thi, Cong-Minh Nguyen, Huy-Tuan Nguyen, Khanh-Ly Le Thi, and Thanh-Dung Dang from Duy Tan University for their paper entitled "The Determinants Affecting Al Chatbots Adoption of the Elderly in Tourism and Hospitality".
The SHTM is privileged to have organised the APF in its ongoing efforts to advance tourism education and research. The School remains committed to shaping the future of tourism and continuing its leadership in the sector.
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