The International Tourism Studies Association

The International Tourism Studies Association is a non-profit organization that aims to promote sustainable tourism and cultural heritage preservation through research and education. Founded in 2005 by Professor Li Mingsheng and Dr. Zhang Guangrui, the association has grown to become a leading platform for tourism studies and hospitality management in Asia, with partnerships with Peking University, Tsinghua University, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The association's mission is to foster collaboration between academia, industry, and government agencies, such as the National Tourism Administration of China and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, to promote responsible tourism practices and support the development of tourism destinations like Ha Long Bay, Angkor Wat, and Borobudur.

● History

The International Tourism Studies Association has its roots in the First International Conference on Tourism Studies, held in Beijing in 2003, which was organized by Professor Wang Yuzhen and Dr. Li Jianping with the support of the China National Tourism Administration and the United Nations World Tourism Organization. The conference brought together scholars and practitioners from China, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia to discuss the latest trends and issues in tourism development, including ecotourism, cultural tourism, and heritage tourism. The success of the conference led to the establishment of the association in 2005, with the goal of promoting international cooperation and knowledge sharing in the field of tourism studies, in collaboration with institutions like the University of Hawaii, University of California, Berkeley, and University of Oxford. Since its inception, the association has organized numerous conferences and workshops in partnership with organizations like the Pacific Asia Travel Association, International Council on Monuments and Sites, and World Heritage Centre.

● Organization

The International Tourism Studies Association is headquartered in Beijing, China, and has a network of chapters and partners in Asia, Europe, and North America, including the European Tourism Association, American Hotel and Lodging Association, and Canadian Tourism Commission. The association is governed by a board of directors composed of experts from academia, industry, and government agencies, such as the Ministry of Tourism of India, Ministry of Tourism of Thailand, and Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia. The association's secretariat is responsible for the day-to-day operations and is headed by an executive director, who works closely with institutions like the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and United Nations Development Programme.

● Membership

Membership in The International Tourism Studies Association is open to individuals and organizations involved in tourism studies, hospitality management, and cultural heritage preservation, including students, scholars, practitioners, and policy makers from institutions like the University of Cambridge, University of Melbourne, and University of Toronto. Members benefit from access to the association's publications, conferences, and networking opportunities, as well as discounts on training programs and certification courses offered by partners like the International Air Transport Association, International Hotel and Restaurant Association, and Pacific Asia Travel Association. The association has a diverse membership base, with members from China, Japan, Korea, United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe, including European Union countries like France, Germany, and Italy.

● Conferences_and_Publications

The International Tourism Studies Association organizes annual conferences and workshops on topics related to tourism development, sustainable tourism, and cultural heritage preservation, in collaboration with institutions like the University of California, Los Angeles, University of Michigan, and University of Sydney. The association also publishes the International Journal of Tourism Studies, a peer-reviewed journal that features research articles and case studies on tourism management, hospitality marketing, and tourism policy, with contributions from experts like Professor Geoffrey Wall, Professor Richard Butler, and Professor David Fennell. The journal is indexed in major academic databases like Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, and is available online through EBSCO, ProQuest, and JSTOR.

● Research_and_Initiatives

The International Tourism Studies Association supports research initiatives and projects that promote sustainable tourism and cultural heritage preservation, in partnership with organizations like the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, International Union for Conservation of Nature, and World Wildlife Fund. The association has launched several research programs on topics like ecotourism, community-based tourism, and heritage tourism, with funding from institutions like the Ford Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The association also provides training programs and capacity-building workshops for tourism professionals and community leaders, in collaboration with institutions like the University of Queensland, University of Western Australia, and University of Otago.

● Governance_and_Leadership

The International Tourism Studies Association is governed by a board of directors composed of experts from academia, industry, and government agencies, including Professor Xu Honggang, Professor Li Xin, and Dr. Zhang Jie. The association's president is Professor Wu Wei, who serves as the chief executive officer and is responsible for the overall strategy and direction of the association, in consultation with advisory boards composed of experts from institutions like the Harvard University, Stanford University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The association's leadership team includes vice presidents and committee chairs who oversee specific areas like research, membership, and conferences, and work closely with partners like the World Tourism Organization, International Council on Monuments and Sites, and United Nations Environment Programme.