2023
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Panelists/Invited Guests
Keynote Speaker
Opening Ceremony/Keynote Speech (July 6, 10:30 ~ 12:00)
"Tourism Promotion Strategy of Thailand after the COVID-19 Pandemic"
Mr. Siripakorn Cheawsamoot
Deputy Governor for International Marketing
TAT
Panelists
APTA Graduate Panel Session (July 5, 17:00 ~ 18:30)
"Re-thinking Academic Research and Graduate Education in Hospitality and Tourism Management in the Era of Big Data and AI"
This graduate panel session seeks to illuminate the role of big data and AI in academic research and graduate education, specifically in hospitality and tourism management. We find ourselves in a rapidly digitizing era where the need for understanding and integrating these technologies is growing. We aim to probe their potential in reshaping our field's research methods and educational paradigms.
Our primary focus will be discussing the integration of these technologies into applied social science curricula. We'll explore the essential skills graduates need to navigate this tech-driven landscape, without straying from their core disciplines. We'll also address the opportunities these technologies provide for elevating research quality and the student learning experience, while tackling the challenges and ethical concerns they present.
Join us as we map out the future of academic research and graduate education in our ever-evolving field. Welcome to this insightful discourse.
Prof. Kaye Chon
Hong Kong Poly U.
Hong Hong, SAR
Prof. Perry Hobson
Breda University of Applied Science
The Netherland
Prof. Sangwon Park
Kyunghee University
Korea
Panelists
APTA Panel Session (July 7, 10:30 ~ 12:00)
"Empowering Women in Multicultural Workplaces: Strategies for Success"
Prachi Thakur is a TEDx speaker and diversity trainer who co-wrote the regional report for Asia and the Pacific on Gender in Tourism for United Nations World Tourism Organisation in 2022. Using training as her tool, Prachi has been actively working with businesses in equipping individuals with inclusive skills and competencies. She frequently engages with a global audience via different mediums, including lectures at international universities, podcasts, and articles. She is a sought-after speaker and has been invited at multiple international conferences including UNWTO’s Regional Conference on the Empowerment of Women in Tourism in Asia and the Pacific to share how women can contribute to the hospitality industry. She has trained women across multiple organizations to build their way forward through her critical conversation program. Using both virtual and real-life training systems, Prachi is preparing hospitality workplaces to be more mindful of women.
Prachi Thakur
Diversity Strategist and Trainer
World Women Tourism
India
Nils-Arne Schroeder
Luxury Hospitality Expert
Singapore
Nils-Arne Schroeder is a luxury hospitality veteran with over three decades of expertise in hotel operations and luxury brand management. His extensive experience spans five countries across three continents, including Asia Pacific where he has been based for over 20 years.
Schroeder’s illustrious career began in complex commercial roles where he led hotels in highly competitive markets to achieving record market share and performance before he moved into hotel operations with his first General Manager appointment. His diverse experience includes leading the dynamic region of Indonesia and Timor Leste as Regional General Manager where he was based in Jakarta, Indonesia; as well as managing teams of over 500 team members during key openings of flagship properties across gateway markets such as China, Malaysia and South Korea.
In his most recent role as Vice President of Luxury Brands, Hilton – Asia Pacific, Schroeder was responsible for leading on all brand initiatives for the world-renowned Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts and LXR Hotels & Resorts brands across the region. He was also involved in facilitating landmark signings of luxury deals in Asia Pacific including the region’s largest Conrad hotel in Shanghai as well as the first Waldorf Astoria hotels in Australia, Japan and Malaysia. Under his leadership, the LXR brand debuted in the region in 2021, delivering on Hilton’s unrelenting growth momentum in the midst of the most challenging period for the global hospitality industry.
Whilst leading Hilton’s luxury brands across Asia Pacific, Schroeder also concurrently served a dual role as Global Brand Head for Conrad Hotels & Resorts. Across the 18 months he spent overseeing the global portfolio of 40 trading Conrad hotels and 20 hotels in the pipeline, Schroeder successfully redefined and elevated the brand’s positioning, leading its strategic growth across the globe. Notable milestones achieved under his leadership include the entry of the award-winning brand into prime destinations such as Shanghai, Abu Dhabi and Los Angeles; the brand also won coveted accolades including the titles of "World's Leading Luxury Hotel Brand 2021" and "Asia’s Leading Luxury Business Hotel Brand 2021" in the World Travel Awards.
Schroeder’s focus on empathetic and authentic leadership has led him to developing high-functioning teams with a strong culture of innovation and purpose, while delivering on performance, brand value, guest satisfaction and engagement, as well as service quality.