Tourism Forum on "Future Tourism in ASEAN: Challenges and Opportunities"

ASEAN Tourism Research Association (ATRA), together with Taylor's University, Malaysia and Centre of Research and Innovation in Tourism, recently co-organized the 8th ATRA Tourism Forum entitled “Future Tourism in ASEAN: Challenges and Opportunities”. The webinar consisted of an excellent mixture of people from academia and industry. The keynote was delivered by Prof. Dr. Neethiahnanthan Ari Ragavan, Executive Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences and Leisure Management and President of ATRA. The session was moderated by Dr. Puvaneswaran Kunasekaran, Senior Lecturer from Taylor’s University, School of Hospitality, Tourism and Events and Honorary Treasurer, ASEAN Tourism Research Association (ATRA) and hosted by Dr. Jenny H. Panchal from James Cook University & Deputy Secretary of ATRA.

Key representatives from the Hospitality and Tourism sectors were invited to share their views. Esteemed panel members comprised of Mr. Eddy Krismeidi Soemawiaga, Deputy President of ASEANTA; Prof. Datuk Seri Dr. Victor Wee, Professor from Taylor’s University and Secretary-General of ATRA; Ms. Hannah Pearson, Founding Partner of Pear Anderson and Co-host at The South East Asia Travel Show and Mr. Gary Bowerman, Director of Check-In Asia and Co-host at The South East Asia Travel Show.

According to UNWTO, it will take three years for the industry to reach its level in 2019, and it still depends on how good the vaccine mobilization will be. Nonetheless, domestic tourism, digital tourism, and intraregional travel offer the industry a way out of the slump and gradually recoup its losses while waiting for the vaccines to work and for pre-COVID normalcy to return. Recovery of tourism and future sustainable development for countries is only possible with proactive policies in place. This forum explored the readiness to face ASEAN's potential challenges and opportunities in the post-vaccination period to make tourism resilient.

Challenges such as lack of tourists’ confidence, loss of jobs, closure of hotels, and resilience of tourism businesses and opportunities such as dynamic tourism products, vaccine visa or health passport, travel bubble and domestic tourism shift were the critical themes highlighted in this forum. The speakers generally stressed that the industry should strive to adapt to the changing nature of future travelers. Apart from that, the empowerment of travel agencies is emphasized to generate immediate income for industry survival.

Alumni Gathering - Reconnecting with SOED 2021

Graduates who have gone on to make a name for themselves in the world will serve as inspiring role models for our current and future students. Alumni have an impact on the potential reputation of the school's future growth. On 26th February 2021, nearly 100 alumni and academics gathered virtually to mark the homecoming of former School of Education students. Dr. Logendra Stanley Ponniah, Head of School of Education, opened the session, followed by many video presentations by SoEd alumni from the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

Later, all participants participated in networking sessions held in different breakout rooms. The event's highlight was the pre-launch of the Award Nomination Ceremony, which will take place in the middle of the year. The nominations are divided into three categories: Outstanding Alumni, Social Entrepreneur, and Edu Innovator. Recognizing our alumni's contributions, towards society improves our schools visibility, ranking and academic excellence. This unforgettable event culminated with a slew of pictures and announcements of upcoming school activities.

Sharing Session by Michelin Starred Chef Sameer Taneja : Journey from India to London

Chef Sameer Taneja, the newly awarded Michelin starred Chef of Benares Restaurant in London, was invited as a guest speaker by Taylor's Culinary Institute to share his experience and journey from India to one of the few best restaurants in the UK. Chef Sameer from Delhi previously worked in many high-end restaurants, including Koffmann's at Berkeley Hotel, Brasserie Joel, and even the Three-Michelin Starred Waterside Inn in Bray, Berkshire, before being appointed head chef for Benares by Atul Kochhar. Chef Sameer shared his culinary journey from various learning environments to his most recent restaurant.

He shared his struggle to learn more about Indian cuisine, which was not his specialty. Chef Sameer's determination to excel in the face of adversity has won Benares restaurant one star, making it the only Indian restaurant among the seven new entrants to London's 'one star' list. We would like to express our gratitude to Chef Sameer for taking the time to share his experience with our Diploma in Culinary Arts and Advanced Diploma in Patisserie and Gastronomic Cuisine students. We wish him the best of luck in winning another star next year!