Professor Kaye Chon is Dean and Chair Professor and Walter Kwok Foundation Professor in International Hospitality Management in the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Professor Chon has published over 200 papers in international journals and professional publications and has authored or edited 10 books. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing and the Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research.

Noor Ahmad Hamid is a expert in destination marketing, association management, business development, and event management with over 35 years of global experience.He launched his career with the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board (now Tourism Malaysia), dedicating over 16 years, including a tenure in Los Angeles managing the US travel market. Later, he transitioned to the corporate sector, focusing on international sporting events and tourism investments.
As Regional Director, of Asia Pacific, for the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), Noor managed membership growth, operations, and training from Kuala Lumpur. During the pandemic, he played a key role in revitalizing Malaysia’s business events industry as COO of the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau. Noor's outstanding contributions earned him induction into the Hall of Leaders by the Events Industry Council in 2022 and the China MICE Hall of Leaders Award in 2018. He is a graduate of MARA Technological University (UITM), Malaysia, with a degree in Tourism Administration.
 

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Georg Arlt is Founder and Director of China Outbound Tourism Research Institute (COTRI). He has authored numerous books and articles on China’s outbound tourism, and shares valuable insights via international organisations and major publications, including CNN, Forbes, Time Magazine, The Times, The Economist, and South China Morning Post. He has more than 40 years of practical and academic experience in international tourism management. Established in 2004, COTRI is now the global leader in independent consulting, research, training, and quality assessment related to the Chinese outbound tourism market.

Vijay Poonoosamy is a globally respected and sought after national of Mauritius with 38 years’ experience in international law, good governance, public affairs, aviation, tourism and international relations.

Vijay Poonoosamy is a barrister (Middle Temple), Dentons Mauritius’ Africa Aviation Lead Partner, Aviation Group Chairman of World Tourism Network and Board Member and Governance Committee Chair of Veling Group.

Vijay has a law degree from University of Nottingham, a master’s degree in international law from London School of Economics and Political Science and a Post Graduate Diploma in Air & Space Law from London Institute of World Affairs. He was the Managing Director of Air Mauritius, the Executive Chairman of Airports of Mauritius and the Vice-President International and Public Affairs of Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. He was Chairman of the historical 4th ICAO Worldwide Air Transport Conference, of IATA’s Industry Affairs Committee and IATA’s Legal Advisory Group and of the African Civil Aviation Commission’s Air Transport Committee.

Vijay Shrestha based in Nepal, is currently a Vice President of Administration at Himalaya Airlines. Vijay Shrestha brings experience from previous roles at Raniban Retreat Pokhara, a mountain-top boutique hotel, Prime College (management and IT college) Yeti Airlines Domestic Pvt. Ltd. and Tara Air Pvt. Ltd.

Ms Cathy Cui commenced her career in the exhibition industry in 2002. She has held a number of roles at leading organizations, including China Foreign Trade Guangzhou Exhibition Company, OPC s.r.l/ Fiera Milano South China Office. In these roles, she was responsible for managing outbound exhibitions across a range of sectors, including fashion, houseware, consumer goods, and electricals. Additionally, she has experience in the fields of gifts, industrial technology, new energy, beauty and magazine publishing. Since 2010, Ms. Cui has served as the Chief Representative of the Guangzhou Representative Office of Hannover Milano Fairs (China) Ltd. She later assumed the role of Head of the Guangzhou Branch of Hannover Milano Fairs (Shanghai) Ltd. She oversees tourism, culture, and technology industrial fairs in China, including the Guangzhou International Travel Fair, the leading professional exhibition for the travel industry in China.

Dr Birgit Trauer draws on more than 30 years of extensive experience in leisure, travel, and tourism with insights from the diversity of roles in industry, academia, and consultancy.

She holds a PhD in Tourism Management from The University of Queensland, Australia, which she obtained in 2008. In her thesis, she explored the nature of adventure tourism experiences, focusing on the kinds, levels, and expressions of involvement – behavioural, cognitive, and particularly affective involvement – motivation, and risk perception to conceptualise Special Interest Tourism.

Her thesis offers new frameworks and insights for the design, management and marketing of travel and tourism experiences, including those under the banner of adventure tourism, cultural tourism, sport tourism, food and wine tourism, and the now highly trendy concept of wellness tourism.

Dr Birgit Trauer has published in top international academic journals and academic textbooks, and acted as reviewer for various international academic tourism journals. As an invited author she contributed a chapter on Special Interest Tourism to the SAGE International Encyclopaedia of Travel and Tourism (2017). At the end of 2020, Dr Trauer published her book ‘The Way of the Peaceful Traveller – Dare to Care and Connect’.

Her professional background includes work at international universities and educational institutions in Canada, England, Austria, Germany, New Zealand, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates. Before her involvement in academia and consultancy, she worked in the international airline industry, in retail and wholesale travel agencies, in tourism resorts, as a tour guide, and as a trainer and coach in the health and fitness industry.

As a social psychologist, grounded in the interdisciplinary fields of leisure and tourism, communication, and relationship science, she now operates independently as an educator, researcher, and consultant facilitating personal and professional growth. Emotional intelligence and compassionate communication principles and frameworks are at the core of all her work to foster healthy connections, rewarding collaborations, and strong personal and business relationships.

Dr Birgit Trauer is a Board Member of the Institute of Tourism – Voices of Insight and Change (https://institutetourism.com/team/), a Founding Member of the World Tourism Network (WTN), a Charter Member of the International Institute of Peace through Tourism (IIPT), and a member of ICTP.

Dr. Narayan Prasad Regmi is the Director General of Nepal’s Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation. Previously, he served as Province Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Sudurpaschim Province. A career civil servant since 2010, he has held key positions in multiple ministries, including Finance, Industry, and the Prime Minister’s Office. He holds a PhD in Social Inclusion from Ludwig-Maximilians University, Germany, and has contributed to policy areas such as labor migration, public governance, and international trade.

Kapil Kaul is CEO & Director at CAPA India, which is an industry-leading advisory and research firm specializing in the aviation, aerospace, and travel industries since a research center, a digital Transformation practice, and a capital advisory practice.

In the last twenty years, Kapil has led 275+ consulting & advisory projects and 100s of research assignments, for 150+ Indian and global clients, across the aviation, aerospace, and travel value chains. Kapil is currently leading the strategic expansion of the business into areas such as digital transformation, innovation, and transaction advisory. Kapil had worked in the airline and hospitality industries for 15 years before joining CAPA India.

Kapil has a BSc from Kashmir University, completed a two-year marketing management program with ITC WelcomGroup; and has undergone executive education in general management and other areas of aviation.

Dipendra Purush Dhakal is an economist, statistician, and international affairs expert with over 23 years of service in the Government of Nepal, including key roles in the Ministry of Finance, Department of Tourism, and Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation. With 18 years of experience in research, consultancy, and leading donor-assisted projects, he has made significant contributions to tourism, economic development, conflict management, governance, and finance, also serving as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nepal in 2000/01. A transformative leader, he pioneered public-private partnerships, liberalized airspace for private airlines, launched the Visit Nepal 1998 campaign, and restructured government entities into autonomous bodies like the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal and the Nepal Tourism Board. His global influence includes serving on the Board of Directors of PATA (1991, 1993), solidifying his legacy as a visionary in Nepal’s economic and developmental progress.

Narayan Prasad Regmi is currently serving as the Director General at the Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation, Government of Nepal. Prior to this role, he worked as the Province Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Affairs in Sudurpaschim Province. With extensive experience in public administration, Dr. Regmi has held key positions in various ministries, contributing to policy development and governance. He holds a PhD in Social Inclusion and has been recognized for his academic and professional achievements.

Khem Lakai is a visionary leader in sustainable hospitality, serving as the Chairman of PATA Nepal Chapter, a Board of Trustee of the PATA Foundation, and the Founder of GATE College (Global Academy of Tourism & Hospitality Education), which has been awarded twice at the World Hospitality Awards in Paris. He is best known for integrating experiential learning into mainstream university education and successfully bringing Australia’s national qualification TAFE NSW to Nepal, enabling Nepali youth to earn a world-renowned Australian Commercial Cookery certification locally.

His contributions have positioned Nepal as a hub for world-class hospitality education and training, with GATE College being the first of its kind to admit international students from 23 nationalities. A strong advocate for sustainable tourism, Lakai’s vision extends beyond conventional hospitality, focusing on creating an industry that is both environmentally responsible and economically empowering. His leadership has continued to inspire the next generation of hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs for over two decades.

Deepak Raj Joshi, CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board, is a passionate tourism professional with over 23 years of experience and expertise in the industry. He has a strong network across public and private sector stakeholders at national, regional, and international levels. A well-recognized thought leader in the global tourism fraternity, he specializes in tourism planning, marketing, promotion, policy formulation, destination management, collaborative partnerships, project development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, tourism resilience, and crisis management.

Rajnish Kaistha holds a Master’s degree in Tourism from Delhi University and has over 35 years of experience in the tourism industry. A seasoned professional, he has traveled extensively across India and abroad, gaining deep insights into global travel trends. Throughout his career, he has worked with various organizations in different capacities, contributing to the growth and development of the sector. Currently, he serves as the Director of Paradise Holidays. Actively involved in industry associations, he has been associated with the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) for the past 10 years, serving in various roles, including as a member of the Executive Committee.

Ranjit Acharya is the CEO and Creative Head of Prisma Advertising, a role he has held since 1991, showcasing his extensive expertise in marketing, advertising, and business development. With an MBA degree, he excels in strategic planning, customer service, and public relations, while also being a passionate entrepreneur and social activist. As the Founding Director and IP President of Nepal Ambulance Service 102, he has made significant contributions to emergency medical services. A professional member of Rotary and Toastmasters International, Ranjit served as District Director for District 41 (2021-22), highlighting his leadership and communication skills. Beyond his professional achievements, he is a lyricist, poet, and motivational speaker, blending creativity with a commitment to societal change.

Upaul heads the Tourism Practice in Dolma Consulting UK, for Nepal and for the neighboring countries in South Asia. He has deep expertise in the hospitality, tourism and service quality industry

A service industry and hospitality professional with specialization in turning around service businesses by working on quality standards, service competencies, low revenues and increasing profitability and customer experience of service businesses. Besides long career stints with the hotel industry in middle and senior management positions, have extensive consulting and working experience with South Asian teams in sectors like Aviation, Financial Services, IT, Hospitality, Infrastructure, Healthcare, Retail, Aviation and Tourism companies. Have a total experience of over thirty years starting with Oberoi Hotels and later with Oberoi Flight Services for the initial 7 professional years and then with the Jet Air Group for 2 years and consulting in service quality with Upgrade Management Services for 16 years. Came back to heading hotels with stints as the CEO of The Annapurna Hotel Group in Kathmandu, Nepal and then joined the global hotel giant IHG as General Manager of the Crowne Plaza Soaltee Kathmandu and the Lufthansa Service Group Flight Services in Nepal. In his long career stint of over 32 years he has worked on assignment with Hotel companies, Airline and Travel businesses and in Service Quality consulting in the region. Currently in the Nepal, India, Bhutan and Bangladesh landscape, he is deeply involved in fund raising and project management for setting up several branded hotels, rejuvenating tourism projects and for development of skills building practices for manpower employed in tourism. He is currently setting four five-star hotel projects in Nepal besides working closely with development agencies and the Govt. in Nepal to develop some tourism projects especially in the post-Covid recovery stage.

Besides working with the private sector, Upaul is closely aligned with the Nepal Tourism Board and is currently the Advisor for the Tourism and Civil Aviation Committee of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the largest trade body of Nepal.