Date: July 5-8, 2023
Location: Shangri-La Hotel, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Co-host Organization: Chiang Mai University
Date: July 5-8, 2023
Location: Shangri-La Hotel, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Co-host Organization: Chiang Mai University
APTA 2026
Fukuoka, Japan
Date: July 6-8, 2026
Location: Hilton Fukuoka Sea Hawk, Fukuoka, Japan
Co-host: Kyushu Sangyo University
Sponsors:
Dong-A University / Hong Kong Poly U. / Wakayama University / Prince of Songkla University /
Chiang Mai University / Duy Tan University / University of Houston / Youngsan University /
Japan Institute of Tourism Research /
1. Conference Overview
The APTA 2026 Conference successfully convened from July 6 to July 8, 2026, at the Hilton Fukuoka Sea Hawk in Japan. Co-hosted by Kyushu Sangyo University, Japan, the event established a highly collaborative global platform, drawing a total of 325 academic and industry professionals representing 20 countries. The academic program was comprehensively structured to foster high-impact intellectual exchange, scheduling 8 Concurrent Sessions, 3 Poster Sessions, and 1 Thesis-in-Progress (TiP) session, alongside 1 Keynote Speech and 1 APTA Panel Session. Throughout the three-day itinerary, the conference accommodated a grand total of 236 research contributions, which comprised 153 stand-up presentations, 58 poster presentations, and 25 specialized TiP Session presentations, highlighting a diverse spectrum of innovative methodologies and regional research in the tourism sector.
2. Opening Ceremony and Keynote Speech
The official opening ceremony initiated the proceedings with welcome remarks delivered by Dr. Yeong-Hyeon Hwang, Chairman of APTA, and Mr. Kenji Tsugami, Special Advisor of Kyushu Sangyo University. Both speakers extended their greetings to the international delegation, underlining the vital role of cross-border academic alliances and the institutional support provided by the host university. Following these introductory statements, the conference transitioned to its definitive academic presentation: the Keynote Speech by Mr. Randy Durband, CEO of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Delivering a paper titled "40 Years of Sustainable Tourism: Achievement, Challenges, & Prospects," Mr. Durband presented a rigorous, data-driven retrospective on global sustainability milestones achieved over the last four decades while outlining pressing contemporary challenges and actionable operational frameworks required for the industry’s future survival.
3. APTA Panel Session
A designated APTA Panel Session explored the digital frontier under the theme "Opportunities and Challenges of AI in HTM Education and Research." Moderated by Dr. SooCheong (Shawn) Jang, the session leveraged the collective insights of a prominent panel of experts, including Prof. Kaye Chon from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Dr. Rob Law from the University of Macao, Dr. Lisa Wan from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Dr. Dan Wang from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The discussion focused heavily on the systemic adjustments forced by artificial intelligence upon hospitality and tourism management (HTM) curriculums and research paradigms. The participants analyzed how emerging AI mechanisms alter traditional training models, debating how institutions can exploit these technologies for advanced empirical research while safely managing ethical pitfalls and maintaining scientific integrity.
4. APTA 2026 General Assembly
During the General Assembly, the membership ratified major administrative updates and organizational changes that will dictate the association’s operational path. Chairman Yeong-Hyeon Hwang was officially re-elected to continue his leadership, securing another four-year term at the helm of APTA. Concurrently, a historical shift in the editorial leadership of the Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research (APJTR) was announced, as Dr. Kaye Chon stepped down from his position as Editor-in-Chief after 31 years of foundational and continuous service. Following his departure, the journal officially transitions to a new co-editorial framework led by Dr. Rob Law from the University of Macao and Dr. Dan Wang from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, who will serve as the joint incoming Editors-in-Chief.
5. APTA 2026 Awards
The conference dedicated a primary portion of its agenda to celebrating outstanding scientific scholarship and academic potential through its annual award distribution. The APTA Graduate Travel Grant Award was bestowed upon Ivana Varicak from the Karlovac University of Applied Sciences and Ivanne Louise Laxamana from the University of the Philippines.
APTA 2026 Graduate Travel Grant Award
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Ivana Varicak (Karlovac University of Applied Sciences)
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Ivanne Louise Laxamana (University of the Philippines)
The prestigious APJTR Best Paper of the Year 2025 was awarded to authors Balachandran Sarangan, Chandana Hewege, and Chamila Perera for their study titled "Is digital empowerment of tourists a “threat” or “treat” for the tourism industry? The changing role of tourists and its effect on tourism regulators and business in developing countries," published in APJTR Volume 30(12).
APJTR Best Paper of the Year 2025
"Is digital empowerment of tourists a “threat” or “treat” for the tourism industry? The changing role of tourists and its effect on tourism regulators and business in developing countries” by Balachandran Sarangan, Chandana Hewege, and Chamila Perera, published in APJTR 30(12).
In the practical research tracks, the TiP Session Honorable Mention Paper went to Hansol Oh, Daeun Koh, and Chul Jeong from Hanyang University for their collaborative paper examining the governance of Jeju Haenyeo tourism and the construction of a sustainable CBT-Network model. The TiP Session Best Paper was awarded to Shuran Ma and Dori Davari from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University for their insightful study on how tourists' superciliousness acts as a hidden hurdle to social sustainability.
TiP Session Best Papers
Honorable Mention
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"Who Commodifies the Heritage? Analyzing the Governance of Jeju Haenyeo Tourism and Building a Sustainable CBT-Network Model” by Hansol Oh, Daeun Koh, and Chul Jeong (Hanyang University)
TiP Best Paper
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“Unaware of the Negativity They Cause: Tourists’ Superciliousness as a Hurdle to Social Sustainability” by Shuran Ma and Dori Davari (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)
The ultimate competitive research honors, the APTA 2026 Best Papers, were awarded to Nichapat Sangkaew from Prince of Songkla University, Thailand, for a paper utilizing AI-based multimodal analysis of text and visual content to understand tourist emotions in convenience stores, and to Jiwon Gwak and Hakseung Shin from Hanyang University, Korea, for their investigation into the psychological reactance of consumers toward coercive sustainability campaigns. No recipient was designated for the APTA Founder's Award this year.
APTA 2026 Best Papers
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"Beyond Words Understanding Tourist Emotions Through AI-Based Multimodal Analysis of Text and Visual Content in Local Convenience Stores" by Nichapat Sangkaew (Prince of Songlka University, Thailand)
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“The Dark Side of ESG in Tourism: Psychological Reactance to Coercive Sustainability Campaigns" by Jiwon Gwak and Hakseung Shin (Hanyang University, Korea)
6. Executive Service Appreciation
The APTA 2025 Busan Conference highlighted three decades of academic progress and industry transformation, serving as a platform for vibrant scholarly exchange and global networking. The Association expresses its sincere gratitude to all participants, contributors, and organizers for making this anniversary event a resounding success.
