President's Message

Dear Fellows,

Hello from snowy Amherst, MA! This season has brought more snow and colder days than we expected. I hope everything is going well on your end!

Across the global tourism community, change is accelerating rapidly. Discussions about generative AI now shape nearly every aspect of our work, from research and learning to destination management, business innovation, and the traveler journey. Technology is no longer emerging; it is fully embedded, driving swift transformation across academia and the tourism ecosystem. Simultaneously, destinations face shifting mobility patterns, climate pressures, workforce shortages, geopolitical uncertainty, and travelers’ growing demand for well-being, authenticity, and sustainability, alongside increased efforts to make attractions and cultural sites more accessible and inclusive.

Amid these rapid changes, we also pause to honor those whose scholarship, leadership, and mentorship have helped shape the very foundation of our field. We remember two remarkable figures whose contributions have left lasting legacies: Professor Aguiló Pérez (1946-2025) and Professor Donald E. Hawkins (1936–2025). Professor Aguiló Pérez, a distinguished scholar and former Dean at the Universitat de les Illes Balears, made profound contributions to tourism and economics. As founding president of the International Association for Tourism Economics, he advanced global collaboration and scholarship in the field. His leadership, research, and mentorship leave a legacy. He will be greatly missed. A tribute by Professor Vicente Ramos and colleagues will appear on the Academy website. We also honor Professor Donald E. Hawkins, a foundational figure in global tourism and at George Washington University. Over more than five decades, his visionary work shaped tourism education, policy, and practice worldwide. Don’s generosity, mentorship, and global influence will be profoundly missed. Many thanks to Professor Doug Frechtling and colleagues for preparing his tribute for the Academy website.

Let me share some updates with you:

In many ways, our field is in the midst of a historic transition, reassessing long-held assumptions, refining our theoretical lenses, and redefining what responsible and resilient tourism should look like in a rapidly changing world. In this sense, our upcoming Academy Meeting, focusing on the theme of Tourism Transition(s), captures this global moment so precisely. We look forward to gathering in Hong Kong from May 31st to June 4th, 2026, to explore these evolving dynamics together. We also thank Maria Gravari Barbas for finalizing the program and for working closely with our colleagues at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The scope of the activities, panels, and presentations aligns closely with the theme of the Academy Meeting.

Eight guest scholars and three emerging scholars have confirmed their commitment to attending the upcoming Academy Meeting. We sincerely thank Alan and the committee for their diligent work in organizing this. Their efforts, together with Maria, have ensured a smooth invitation process and fostered an inclusive, international gathering of expertise, which promises valuable discussions and meaningful contributions for all participants.

The Academy, under Ulrike Gretzel’s guidance, launched a Ph.D. research essay competition to encourage future scholars and enhance the Academy’s global presence. The winner will receive a scholarship to support attendance at the 2026 Academy Conference in Hong Kong and may have their paper considered for Tourism Review, thanks to Buhalis Dimitrios for supporting this. We look forward to announcing the first winner soon!

As many Academy Fellows know, Envisioning Tourism in the Future has just been published by Channelview (https://www.channelviewpublications.com/page/detail/?K=9781845419066). Our Distinguished Fellow, Prof. Butler, edited this volume, which collects selected papers from the Academy conferences in Leuven (2022) and Orlando (2024). Although appearing in 2026, the contributions remain relevant and thought-provoking. We are very grateful to Dick for his patience, guidance, and assistance in bringing this volume to fruition. He also thanks the Fellows who contributed, many of whom updated or revised their material. Chapters were self-selected, including one from keynote speaker Stefan Gossling. Channelview required introductory and concluding chapters, so Dick wrote the Prologue and Epilogue. We hope Fellows feel the volume merits the Academy’s name and encourage all, especially newly elected members, to submit articles for publication in the next volume on Tourism Transition(s).

Building on this momentum of scholarly leadership, we are also excited to share news from one of our field’s flagship journals. As of late 2025, Gang Li and Jillian Rickly have assumed the roles of Co-Editors-in-Chief of Annals of Tourism Research, marking an exciting new chapter for the publication. Congratulations to Gang and Jillian, and our best wishes as you take on these important roles. We also extend our sincere thanks to Professors Sara Dolnicar and Scott McCabe, who guided the journal with a strong emphasis on rigorous, innovative, and theoretically rich tourism scholarship throughout their tenure.

As we recognize advances in scholarly leadership, it is equally inspiring to celebrate individuals whose accomplishments elevate our field. Distinguished Fellow Prof. Brian King, head of the Aplin Department of Hospitality, Hotel Management & Tourism at Texas A&M University, received the 2026 Michael D. Olsen Research Achievement Award at the Graduate Education Conference. He was honored for his global contributions to research, teaching, leadership, and mentorship, which continue to advance hospitality and tourism scholarship worldwide. We extend our warm congratulations on this international recognition.

As we navigate these transformative times, let us remember that tourism has the power to connect people, cultures, and communities across the globe. By fostering understanding, collaboration, and respect, our work contributes not only to academic advancement but also to a more peaceful and stable world. I encourage all Fellows to carry this spirit forward in their research, teaching, and practice as we continue shaping a responsible and inclusive future for tourism. Peace!

Prof. Muzzo Uysal

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