Talk
Topic: Climate Refuge Tourism: How Climate Migration is Creating New Forms of Sustainable Travel and Destination Planning Reasons for Selection of this Topic More substantial and impactful: Climate migration is one of the most significant global challenges of our time, affecting millions of people. It is a topic with real weight and urgency that matches the gravitas of World Tourism Day. Perfect thematic fit: It directly addresses "sustainable transformation" by exploring how the tourism industry must fundamentally adapt to climate realities—both as a contributor to climate issues and as a sector that must respond to climate-induced population movements. Broader audience appeal: Climate refuge tourism speaks to universal concerns about climate change and social responsibility. Rich content potential: I can explore destination adaptation strategies, ethical considerations, policy frameworks, community impacts, and innovative approaches—plenty for a compelling 30-minute presentation. Future relevance: This is not just an emerging topic—it is inevitable. The positioning of this topic may rekindle someone's thinking about these intersections, showing authentic thought leadership.

Bio
Dr. Subhankar Das is an Associate Professor of Marketing at Duy Tan University, Vietnam, with over 16 years of academic and research experience. He holds a PhD in Marketing from Siksha O Anusandhan Deemed University and an MBA from ICFAI University. Dr. Das has an impressive publication record with 16 Web of Science and 59 Scopus-indexed publications in areas including digital marketing, AI, blockchain, and tourism management. He serves on editorial boards of prestigious journals, including the Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Technology (Emerald), and has authored/edited eight books with renowned publishers like Springer and Palgrave. Dr. Das has been recognised with multiple awards, including the Best Young Researcher Award, and has supervised PhD students across universities in Italy, Poland, and Kenya. His research focuses on digital transformation, sustainable tourism, artificial intelligence applications, and consumer behaviour. Dr. Das is also certified by Google, IIM Bangalore, and the University of British Columbia in digital marketing and case-based pedagogy.

Talk
Tourism in a Changing Climate: Saudi Arabia’s Path to Sustainability.

Bio
Dr. Muhammad Tauhidur Rahman is an Associate Professor of GIS & Sustainability in the Geospatial Information Sciences program at the University of Texas at Dallas (USA). He is also serving as the Director of Graduate Studies of the program. Prior to joining UT-Dallas, he held positions as an Associate Professor and Graduate Coordinator at the Department of Architecture and City Design at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Dr. Rahman's areas of expertise encompass various aspects of Geospatial Information Sciences (GIS) including urban remote sensing, natural hazards vulnerability assessment, disaster mapping, land use and land cover changes, urban road accident mapping and traffic simulation and control, and sustainable urban growth strategies. Dr. Rahman's commitment to advancing knowledge is evident in his extensive publication record, with nearly four dozen articles in international peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings. His research efforts have been supported by grants totaling over $3.1 million from organizations such as NASA, the Natural Hazards Center at UC-Boulder, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), and King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE). Beyond academia, Dr. Rahman shares his expertise as a Geospatial Consultant for various entities, including the United States Department of Justice, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Geographic Society. He also collaborated with institutions globally, providing valuable insights to organizations such as the Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA) and Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Social Affairs. Engaged in scholarly discourse, he serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Settlements and Spatial Planning and Spatial Information Research.