PHD students will present their research ideas and receive constructive feedback from senior researchers.
Practical advice on preparing manuscripts, selecting journals, and navigating the review process.
A session prepared by the Market Research and Industry Intelligence team at Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
Speakers
Chairman of the Dubai Historical District Development Committee, Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library Foundation
CEO - Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing.
The diversified approach and becoming one of the world’s most visited cities by international, overnight visitation
Speakers
Senior Vice President - International Operations at Dubai Economy and Tourism.
Going beyond the traditional ‘map’. From opening new source markets (such as China) to navigating the global pandemic, Hoor AlKhaja has been at the heart of Dubai’s tourism journey. Here, in conversation with Jeff Strachan, Associate Vice President in Business Operations, DCT, Hoor discusses what it takes to build a city focused on Tourism.
This keynote will explore emerging approaches to tourism marketing, from initial awareness and inspiration through to post-stay engagement and advocacy. It will invite reflection on how destinations can leverage creativity, storytelling, technology, and data-driven insight to shape destination identity, build loyalty, and sustain meaningful relationships beyond the physical experience
14:30 to 16:00
Teaching Cases Lounge: Developing Publishable Teaching Cases
David Desplaces, The Citadel, United States of America
14:30 to 16:00
Tourism as a Catalyst for Human Capital Development: Skills, Inclusion, and Sustainable Growth in Emerging Economies.
Suzanna Elmassah, Zayed University, United Arab Emirates; Cairo University, Egypt.
14:30 to 15:15
From Classroom to Career: Inclusive Hospitality Pedagogy for Neurodivergent Learners
Crystal Rocha, BIG Education Institute (BRITTS Imperial), Dubai/ Royal Roads University and NEST Academy, India
15:15 to 15:45
Heidi Anaya, Russell Partnership Technology
Auditorium, MBRL
Led by Frauke Aoun, General Manager Affini, Marriott International, this panel brings together five female leaders from MICE, global hotel brands, restaurants, sustainability, and investment consulting, to explore the many dimensions of hospitality. The discussion will challenge traditional sector assumptions, examining sustainability, ESG, accessibility and the leadership needed to build resilient destinations for the future.
Join us for a warm Dubai welcome as we officially open EMEA CHRIE 2026. Enjoy refreshments and delicious bites at sunset, reconnect with colleagues and meet fellow delegates in a relaxed setting
Sarah Salman, Senior Manager PR and Communications at DET hosts an insightful discussion on the role of aviation in shaping destination competitiveness, exploring how connectivity, destination marketing, the traveller journey, service excellence and reputation come together to strengthen Dubai’s position on the global stage.
Arva Ahmed is the founder of Frying Pan Adventures, the walking food tours that reframed Dubai through its kitchens and backstreets. She also created Ditch the Silver, the YouTube channel and OSN food series that spotlights the people and subcultures shaping the city’s real food identity. Her work has appeared on Netflix, Travel Channel, Food Network, iTV, and CNN establishing her as one of the region’s trusted cultural voices.
11.45 - 1.15
From Conversation to Action: Building the Global Women in Hospitality Agenda
Daphne Maria DEKKER, Yasemin ORUC, Hotelschool The Hague, Netherlands,
11.45 - 1.15
The Embedding Ageing in Hospitality Education: from Fragmented Teaching Practices to Robust, Research-based Pedagogical Approaches.
Paola Ossola, César Ritz Colleges, Italy
Lorna Wang, School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, University of Surrey, UK
Thorsten Merkle, ZHAW School of Life Sciences and Facility Management, Switzerland.
Nancy Swanger, School of Hospitality Business Management, Washington State University, U.S.
Dai-In Danny Han, Hotel Management School Maastricht, Zuyd UAS, NL.
11.45 – 12.30
Transnational Education: Challenges And Opportunities.
Ariane Lengyel, University of West London, United Kingdom
Drawing on the legacy of Expo 2020 Dubai and the evolution of Expo City Dubai, this keynote will explore how large-scale events can transcend their temporal nature to become enduring platforms for destination identity, innovation, and community engagement.
The Research Marathon concludes with its final presentation, showcasing the collaborative research journey and outcomes of participating teams, with conference delegates welcome to attend as observers.
15:15 - 16:45
Global Leadership and Mentorship for Women in Hospitality and Tourism Workshop
Melissa Baker, University of Massachusetts Amherst, United States of America
Lisa Cain, Florida International University, United States of America
Lydia Hanks, Florida State University
Tiffany Legendre University of Houston
Courtney Seuss, Oklahoma State University
15:15 - 16:45
Are We Teaching, or Are Students Actually Learning? Creating Meaningful, Learner-Centred Experiences in Hospitality Education
Yamel Henriksen, AHLEI
15.15 - 16.00
Building Destination-Ready Graduates for Hospitality and Tourism
Aneka Hutchinson, University College of the Cayman Islands, Cayman Islands (United Kingdom)
Discover a remarkable collection of rare books, manuscripts, atlases and historical works from around the world, offering a fascinating journey through centuries of knowledge, culture and human discovery. DCT students to give tour
An evening of Emirati Culture and Cuisine hosted by ICCA Dubai.
The dynamic CoStar platform is how the global hotel and tourism industries now access data, information, and benchmark reporting. The product is also being integrated into the popular CHIA and CAHTA certifications. Join Duane Vinson, Director, CoStar Group Academic Engagement for a thorough overview, learn what is available and explore how you and your students may gain access.
From inspiration to transaction, Google knows the traveller journey better than anyone. In this session, Joyce explores rapidly changing traveller behaviours and how Google sees destination sentiment translate into airline searches, transactions, map searches and even reviews. And as Gemini becomes more pervasive, how will search behaviour change? You’ll find the answers here.
Amadeus' platform and technology help airlines, travel agencies, hotels and others connect, do business, and deliver better travel experiences. Seamless travel is the goal and Dubai is at the front and centre of implementation. Learn about the technology that drives marketing success and frictionless travel.
Modernising Vocational Education and Training (VET) in the Tourism Sector Through Extended Reality (XR) Technologies: The Case of TourXpeRience
Vanessa De Oliveira Menezes
Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands
PHD students will present their research ideas and receive constructive feedback from senior researchers.
Practical advice on preparing manuscripts, selecting journals, and navigating the review process.
A session prepared by the Market Research and Industry Intelligence team at Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
Speakers
Chairman of the Dubai Historical District Development Committee, Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library Foundation
CEO - Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing.
The diversified approach and becoming one of the world’s most visited cities by international, overnight visitation
Speakers
Senior Vice President - International Operations at Dubai Economy and Tourism.
Going beyond the traditional ‘map’. From opening new source markets (such as China) to navigating the global pandemic, Hoor AlKhaja has been at the heart of Dubai’s tourism journey. Here, in conversation with Jeff Strachan, Associate Vice President in Business Operations, DCT, Hoor discusses what it takes to build a city focused on Tourism.
This keynote will explore emerging approaches to tourism marketing, from initial awareness and inspiration through to post-stay engagement and advocacy. It will invite reflection on how destinations can leverage creativity, storytelling, technology, and data-driven insight to shape destination identity, build loyalty, and sustain meaningful relationships beyond the physical experience
14:30 to 16:00
Teaching Cases Lounge: Developing Publishable Teaching Cases
David Desplaces, The Citadel, United States of America
14:30 to 16:00
Tourism as a Catalyst for Human Capital Development: Skills, Inclusion, and Sustainable Growth in Emerging Economies.
Suzanna Elmassah, Zayed University, United Arab Emirates; Cairo University, Egypt.
14:30 to 15:15
From Classroom to Career: Inclusive Hospitality Pedagogy for Neurodivergent Learners
Crystal Rocha, BIG Education Institute (BRITTS Imperial), Dubai/ Royal Roads University and NEST Academy, India
15:15 to 15:45
Heidi Anaya, Russell Partnership Technology
Auditorium, MBRL
Led by Frauke Aoun, General Manager Affini, Marriott International, this panel brings together five female leaders from MICE, global hotel brands, restaurants, sustainability, and investment consulting, to explore the many dimensions of hospitality. The discussion will challenge traditional sector assumptions, examining sustainability, ESG, accessibility and the leadership needed to build resilient destinations for the future.
Join us for a warm Dubai welcome as we officially open EMEA CHRIE 2026. Enjoy refreshments and delicious bites at sunset, reconnect with colleagues and meet fellow delegates in a relaxed setting
Sarah Salman, Senior Manager PR and Communications at DET hosts an insightful discussion on the role of aviation in shaping destination competitiveness, exploring how connectivity, destination marketing, the traveller journey, service excellence and reputation come together to strengthen Dubai’s position on the global stage.
Arva Ahmed is the founder of Frying Pan Adventures, the walking food tours that reframed Dubai through its kitchens and backstreets. She also created Ditch the Silver, the YouTube channel and OSN food series that spotlights the people and subcultures shaping the city’s real food identity. Her work has appeared on Netflix, Travel Channel, Food Network, iTV, and CNN establishing her as one of the region’s trusted cultural voices.
11.45 - 1.15
From Conversation to Action: Building the Global Women in Hospitality Agenda
Daphne Maria DEKKER, Yasemin ORUC, Hotelschool The Hague, Netherlands,
11.45 - 1.15
The Embedding Ageing in Hospitality Education: from Fragmented Teaching Practices to Robust, Research-based Pedagogical Approaches.
Paola Ossola, César Ritz Colleges, Italy
Lorna Wang, School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, University of Surrey, UK
Thorsten Merkle, ZHAW School of Life Sciences and Facility Management, Switzerland.
Nancy Swanger, School of Hospitality Business Management, Washington State University, U.S.
Dai-In Danny Han, Hotel Management School Maastricht, Zuyd UAS, NL.
11.45 – 12.30
Transnational Education: Challenges And Opportunities.
Ariane Lengyel, University of West London, United Kingdom
Drawing on the legacy of Expo 2020 Dubai and the evolution of Expo City Dubai, this keynote will explore how large-scale events can transcend their temporal nature to become enduring platforms for destination identity, innovation, and community engagement.
The Research Marathon concludes with its final presentation, showcasing the collaborative research journey and outcomes of participating teams, with conference delegates welcome to attend as observers.
15:15 - 16:45
Global Leadership and Mentorship for Women in Hospitality and Tourism Workshop
Melissa Baker, University of Massachusetts Amherst, United States of America
Lisa Cain, Florida International University, United States of America
Lydia Hanks, Florida State University
Tiffany Legendre University of Houston
Courtney Seuss, Oklahoma State University
15:15 - 16:45
Are We Teaching, or Are Students Actually Learning? Creating Meaningful, Learner-Centred Experiences in Hospitality Education
Yamel Henriksen, AHLEI
15.15 - 16.00
Building Destination-Ready Graduates for Hospitality and Tourism
Aneka Hutchinson, University College of the Cayman Islands, Cayman Islands (United Kingdom)
Discover a remarkable collection of rare books, manuscripts, atlases and historical works from around the world, offering a fascinating journey through centuries of knowledge, culture and human discovery. DCT students to give tour
An evening of Emirati Culture and Cuisine hosted by ICCA Dubai.
The dynamic CoStar platform is how the global hotel and tourism industries now access data, information, and benchmark reporting. The product is also being integrated into the popular CHIA and CAHTA certifications. Join Duane Vinson, Director, CoStar Group Academic Engagement for a thorough overview, learn what is available and explore how you and your students may gain access.
From inspiration to transaction, Google knows the traveller journey better than anyone. In this session, Joyce explores rapidly changing traveller behaviours and how Google sees destination sentiment translate into airline searches, transactions, map searches and even reviews. And as Gemini becomes more pervasive, how will search behaviour change? You’ll find the answers here.
Amadeus' platform and technology help airlines, travel agencies, hotels and others connect, do business, and deliver better travel experiences. Seamless travel is the goal and Dubai is at the front and centre of implementation. Learn about the technology that drives marketing success and frictionless travel.
Modernising Vocational Education and Training (VET) in the Tourism Sector Through Extended Reality (XR) Technologies: The Case of TourXpeRience
Vanessa De Oliveira Menezes
Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands