President's Message

Dear Fellows,

Greetings! As scholars of tourism, we are part of a distinguished community committed to excellence, innovation, and lifelong learning. This fellowship is more than a title, it is a platform for collaboration, growth, and meaningful impact. It is in this spirit of community that we come together not only to celebrate achievements but also to honor those who have left a legacy. With deep sadness, we share the passing of Distinguished Fellows, Prof. Nelson Graburn and Prof. Alastair Morrison.

Prof. Nelson Graburn passed away after a long and difficult battle with cancer. A brilliant thinker and intellectual, he made significant contributions to tourism anthropology. He will be deeply missed. We were fortunate to have spent time with him in Florida this past May. We keep his family in our thoughts and prayers. Prof. Maria Gravari-Barbas will provide a tribute honoring Professor Graburn within the In Memoriam section on our Academy website.

Prof. Alastair Morrison was a distinguished expert in tourism and hospitality management, widely recognized for his significant research and contributions to destination marketing and development. As a consultant, he collaborated with international organizations and governments to enhance tourism policies and practices. His impact on China's tourism talent development and local tourism consultation was especially profound. Prof. Morrison had been undergoing cancer treatment for several years, yet he remained committed to his work. Despite his resilience, he passed away in Anqing, China, on March 15, 2025. He will be deeply missed. In his honor, we will feature a tribute in the In Memoriam section of our Academy website.

As we honor the legacy of those who have shaped our field, we also look to the future with excitement and optimism. Please join us in welcoming and congratulating our newest fellows: Simon Darcy, David Fennell, Adele Ladkin, Janne Liburd, Robin Nunkoo, James Petrick, and Daniel Scott. These distinguished scholars and colleagues have made significant contributions to global tourism research and will bring immediate value to the Academy. A heartfelt thank you to Alan Fyall (2nd Vice President) for his patience and dedication in ensuring the successful completion of this process. We are also pleased to announce that Prof. John L. Crompton, a Distinguished Professor at Texas A&M University, has been reinstated as a Fellow as of March 18, 2025. Please join us in welcoming and congratulating Prof. Crompton!

As we celebrate new fellows and honor esteemed colleagues, we also look ahead to the exciting activities, tasks completed, and initiatives that continue to advance our shared mission. Allow me to give you some updates.

Maria Gravari-Barbas (1st Vice President) has already initiated her conference work with the hosting institution of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The Academy Conference, taking place on June 1-4, 2026, will bring together Academy fellows and industry practitioners for engaging dialogues that foster impactful research. Alongside academic sessions, attendees can enjoy cultural and social activities, including opportunities to explore Hong Kong’s rich heritage and iconic sites. Fellow Haiyan Song is also organizing an optional post-conference tour to Ningxia, China (June 5-7), a renowned wine-growing region.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to David Airey, chair of the Ad Hoc Committee, along with committee members Pauline Sheldon, Richard Butler, Larry Dwyer, Bob McKercher, and Karl Woeber, for their dedicated efforts in revising the bylaws and completing this important task. Their collaboration with the Executive Committee ensured an inclusive and welcoming process, incorporating valuable input and suggestions from all. Our bylaws specify that "a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the present Fellows are required to approve recommended bylaw changes for ratification." I am pleased to report that the revised bylaws have been approved, as this requirement was met.

In our November Newsletter I briefly noted our commitment to advancing the initiatives discussed and supporting our organization's continued success. Ulrike Gretzel and Karl Woeber are coordinating the development of two awards and their criteria: (1) an award for the best tourism essay competition, and (2) an award recognizing an educational institution that has made notable contributions to the advancement of tourism research. We are exploring sponsorship opportunities with educational institutions and publishers to support these awards. We also welcome your suggestions.

As tourism continues to grow, balancing economic benefits with environmental and social responsibility remains a critical challenge in this highly dynamic, ever-changing, and AI-driven marketplace. Together with tourism professionals, we must explore innovative solutions to reduce and mitigate the negative impacts of tourism activities while promoting low-impact travel, investing in green infrastructure, and encouraging sustainable visitor behavior. At the same time, artificial intelligence is reshaping our industry, from personalized travel experiences to automated customer service, raising concerns about job displacement, ethical data use, and even integrity in research and scholarship. Ensuring the well-being of residents, tourists, and the providers of tourism goods and services, and ethical research practice is crucial. Let us continue our dialogue and stay united in guiding and inspiring future researchers.

Here is to a more peaceful world ahead.

Wishing you all the best,

Prof. Muzzo Uysal

muysal@isenberg.umass.edu
President,
International Academy for the Study of Tourism