Deputy Minister of Tourism Malaysia Dato’ Dr James Dawos Mamit (centre) flanked by EU Ambassador to Malaysia, HE Vincent Piket (3rd from right), Taylor’s University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Dr Hassan Said (4th from left) and other officials of the 3rd Asia-Euro Tourism, Hospitality & Gastronomy Conference.
150 academics and industry practitioners gathered to discuss innovations and share best practices
The 3rd Asia-Euro Conference in Tourism, Hospitality and Gastronomy 2010 saw over 150 academics and practitioners from the tourism, hospitality and gastronomy industries in Asia and Europe gathered to discuss their roles, contributions and innovations as well as share best practices. Organised by the Taylor’s School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts (TCHT) in collaboration with its French partner, the University of Toulouse (UoT), France, as well as industry practitioners, this year’s event was themed “Transformation and Modernisation in Tourism, Hospitality and Gastronomy”.
Deputy Minister of Tourism Malaysia, Yang Berhormat Dato’ Dr. James Dawos Mamit, officiated the conference and said in his speech that in accordance to the Government’s recently announced Economic Transformation Programme (ETP), the tourism industry in Malaysia is expected to contribute significantly to Malaysia’s per capita and provide higher employment opportunities by the year 2020.
“I am happy to see Taylor’s University and the University of Toulouse putting in efforts to organize this conference. It is an opportune platform for experts from both Asia and Europe to explore the effects of globalisation on the industry, and to encourage transparent exchange and sharing of best practices and knowledge of the industry towards its transformation and modernisation,” he said. YB Dato’ Dr. James also delivered a keynote address on ‘Policies and Stratergies for Green Tourism in Malaysia’.
Taylor’s University President and Vice Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Dr Hassan Said, said that organizing and hosting the conference for the third time represents Taylor’s commitment in advancing tourism education and research in the region, while at the same time bridging the gap between academia and the industry.
“We are pleased to welcome international and local experts to the 3rd Asia-Euro Conference who, through the many discussions set to take place over the two days, will help answer many questions, as well as keep everyone abreast of the latest trends and developments in these key areas,” added Professor Dato’ Dr Hassan.
His Excellency Vincent Piket, EU Ambassador to Malaysia, gave a special presentation on ‘EU and Malaysia’s Relations’; whereas Professor Dr. John Tribe, Head of Tourism at the University of Surrey, UK, presented his keynote address on ‘Transformation and Modernisation in Tourism Studies’.
The highlight of the two-day conference saw academicians and industry professionals shared experiences and discussed on issues and trends related to gastronomy, the industry and human resource issues. Industry professionals who participated included Tunku Dato’ Seri Iskandar Tunku Abdullah, Group President of Melewar Group; Azran Osman Rani, CEO of Air Asia X; Dr Junaidah Lee Abdullah, Deputy Secretary General, Ministry of Tourism; Mr Reginald Pereira, CEO of Malaysian Association of Hotels; and Abdul Malik Abdullah, Chairman and Managing Director of D’Tandoor Food Industries.
Fourteen TCHT lecturers also presented key findings from their research papers on industrial related topics, and provided conference delegates an opportunity to comprehend the current industrial situation and trends in Asia.
