III GSTC Academic Symposium concluded successfully The third GSTC Academic Symposium was held on Tuesday, August 5th, in Fiji as part of the GSTC2025 Global Conference. This one-day, in-person event marked its third edition (the previous one was held in Sweden in 2024) and brought together experts from research, academia, and the tourism sector to engage in deep, solution-oriented conversations on today’s sustainability challenges.

Dr. Kelly S. Bricker, GSTC Vice-Chair and Professor of Sustainable Tourism, Ecotourism, and Nature-Based Recreation at Arizona State University, delivered the opening speech at the event along with Dr. Jonathon Day, Associate Professor and Lead Investigator, Sustainable Tourism and Responsible Travel Lab at Purdue University, and Carolin Lusby, Associate Professor and Tourism Lead at Florida International University and Co-Director BA in Global Sustainable Tourism. 

“This year, the academic symposium doubled in size, and we saw incredible interest from practitioners and academics alike! This highlighted the critical value of bringing research into practice and practice to the attention of researchers. By connecting rigorous scholarship with real-world applications, we strengthen the tools and strategies available for sustainable tourism management and development. Communicating research findings effectively ensures that knowledge is not confined to journals, but instead informs decision-making, empowers communities, and advances conservation efforts. This dialogue between academia and practice is essential for building a more sustainable future for tourism worldwide. Congratulations to all the presenters and participants, and the excellent work of Dr. Carolin Lusby, Chair of the Symposium, and Dr. Jonathon Day, Chair of our working group – fantastic work!” said Dr. Bricker.

III GSTC Academic Symposium concluded successfully Dr. Day added, “The Academic Symposium provides an important opportunity for world-class researchers to share knowledge and interact with cutting-edge practitioners. By bringing researchers and industry leaders together, GSTC is creating a unique space for building new understanding and solving the challenges of implementing sustainable tourism.” 

“The energy and passion from all the presenters, industry partners, and editors was contagious. It was amazing to be part of a platform that sparked so many meaningful conversations and new ideas. Thanks again to everyone involved – it was a blast and a privilege to be able to help bring it all together! Let’s keep the conversation going!” said Carolin Lusby.

The GSTC Academic Symposium was thoughtfully curated to cultivate a vibrant academic space where leading scholars and emerging voices in sustainable tourism could connect, exchange ideas, and showcase their research. The event provided an enriching forum that fostered the exploration of innovative solutions and strategies to promote sustainability across the tourism sector.

GSTC Academic Symposium

The Symposium acts as a key bridge connecting academia and the tourism industry, creating a collaborative environment where research insights meet real-world application. By bringing together scholarly perspectives and industry experience, the GSTC Academic Symposium fosters meaningful dialogue and accelerates progress toward more effective and impactful sustainability practices.

Find below the papers presented during the Symposium:

Session 1

  1. The Perceptive Duality of Sustainability: Evaluation of Service Quality from Employee and Tourist Perspectives in a Community-Based Ecotourism Destination, by Navneel Shalendra Prasad, The University of Fiji
  2. Developing a Food Experience Scale for Wellness Tourism in Island Destinations: A Case Study of Hainan, China, by Wanyan Cheng, Kyunghee University
  3. Exploring the Role of Personal Values in Shaping Residents’ Engagement in Tourism Recovery: A Value-Attitude-Behavior Perspective, by Prof. Kyle Maurice Woosnam, University of Georgia
  4. Making Sense of Social Distance through Intergroup Contact and Emotional Solidarity Theories, by Dr. Shavneet Sharma, The University of the South Pacific
  5. Examining How Sustainable and Community Engagement Practices Used by Hotels and Resorts in Fiji Influences Guests’ Behaviour, by Dr. Sunil Kumar Sinha, presenting on behalf of Vikas Gupta, Fiji National University

Session 2

  1. Reclaiming Identity for Sustainable Futures – A Case Study of Culturally Grounded Development in Nasautoka Village, Fiji, by Mrs. Lite L Seruvakula Daunabou, Pave The Way)
  2. Balancing Tradition and Tourism: Omani Residents’ Perception Towards Sustainable Cultural Tourism, by Dr. Venkoba Rao, Majan University College
  3. The Implications of International Tourism Shocks on Indigenous Cultures in Papua New Guinea, by Christian Schott
  4. Themes of Community, Culture, and Responsible Development in Shaping Sustainable Tourism, by Dr. Danilo Leopoldo Henriques, City University of Macau
  5. Sustainability in Cruise Marketing: Discourse Perspectives on Coastal and Marine Destinations, by Dr. Carolin Lusby, presenting on behalf of Walter Spezzano

Session 3

  1. Reviving Regions through Taste and Tradition: Local Food and Culture in Community-Driven Sustainable Development in Lithuania, by Zivile Gedminaite-Raudone, Lithuanian Centre for Social Sciences
  2. Foundations for Sustainable and Regenerative Tourism: Colca Valley, Peru, by Dr. Jonathon Day, Purdue University
  3. A Food and Wine Festival as a Champion for Sustainable Development through Partnership, Education, Diversity, Culture, and Community Engagement, by Dr. Jinlin Zhao, Florida International University
  4. Bridging Research and Practice: Empowering DMOs to Encourage Responsible Travel through Translational Research, by Dr. Jonathon Day, Purdue University

Session 4

  1. Ocean Literacy as a Foundation for Sustainable Tourism in Small Island and Oceanic Communities and Divers, by Ms. Elsie Gabriel, Young Environmentalists Programme Trust
  2. Inclusive Ocean Tourism and Skill Certification: Empowering Vulnerable Communities through Accessible Scuba Diving, Ocean Literacy and Disaster Resilience Training, by Ms.Elsie Gabriel & Mark Rausch, Young Environmentalists Programme Trust
  3. Coral Micro-Fragmentation: Innovative Approach to Coral Restoration for Enhancing Nature-Positive Tourism in Thailand, by Wichin Suebpala, Ramkhamhaeng University
  4. A Carbon-Neutral Marine Tourism Route for Snorkeling in Trat Province, the Eastern Gulf of Thailand, by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thamasak Yeemin, Ramkhamhaeng University

Plenary Session

  1. Assessing the Implementation of Sustainable Tourism Standards for Destinations: Opportunities and Challenges Facing Regional Administration and DMOs in Japan, by Mami Futagami, Meijo University
  2. Sustainability Index for Tourism Destinations, by Kourosh Esfandiar, Edith Cowan University, presenting on behalf of Mostafa Rasoolimanesh
  3. Constructing a Context-Specific Sustainability Index for Hotels, by Kourosh Esfandiar, Edith Cowan University
  4. Embedding Measurable Impact in Tourism: A California Case Study in Destination Stewardship Aligned with the GSTC Framework, by Jessica Blotter, Kind Traveler

The event showcased new research and sparked meaningful dialogue, leaving participants inspired with fresh insights and actionable strategies for their fields and communities.