Introduction

Welcome Message

We are pleased to announce that the International Conference on Destinations, Events and Sports will be held from May 8 to 11, 2025, at Hokkaido University in Sapporo. This inaugural conference, co-hosted by the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management, Hokkaido University, and The Hokkaido Shimbun Press, aims to provide an international platform for academic exchanges focusing on the future of tourism.

Tourism and hospitality management is a crucial field of study for building a sustainable future by maximizing the value that tourism brings to local communities and economies. This discipline plays a particularly significant role in the industrial development of Hokkaido and Florida, both renowned resort destinations where the three co-hosting organizations are based. Inspired by grassroots international exchanges between researchers in Hokkaido and Florida, this conference invites participants from around the globe to further expand networks and discussions.

To deepen discussions about the future of tourism, the conference will focus on the three key research areas of destinations, events, and sports, under the overarching theme of innovation and transformation. One of the challenges facing society today is the sustainable development of tourist destinations. Tourism not only creates temporary economic benefits but also carries the responsibility of preserving regional cultures and natural environments while contributing to peace through the appeal of these attractions and the exchange of people. To explore practical solutions together, we look forward to exchanging opinions with participants on these research areas and on challenges.

Hokkaido, the host location, is a premier resort destination in Asia. Its breathtaking seasonal beauty and rich cultural heritage will undoubtedly appeal to all participants. For Hokkaido University, this conference marks an important step towards its 150th anniversary in 2026 and serves as a milestone in strengthening industry–government–academia collaboration in the tourism sector.

We sincerely hope that many of you will take advantage of this excellent opportunity to participate in discussions that promise to contribute to the future development of tourism destinations, events and sports. We eagerly look forward to your participation and to the registration of your presentation topics.

We look forward to seeing you in Sapporo.

Chair
Professor Hiroyuki Kamiyama, Hokkaido University, Japan

Committee

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE

Chairs
  • Dr. Alan Fyall, University of Central Florida, USA
  • Professor Hiroyuki Kamiyama, Hokkaido University, Japan

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE

Chairs
  • Dr. Jeeyeon “Jeannie” Hahm, University of Central Florida, USA
  • Dr. Krzysztof Celuch, Vistula University, Poland
  • Dr. Michael Duignan, University of Paris 1 (Pantheon-Sorbonne), France
  • Dr. Isabelle Frochot, University of Burgundy, France
  • Dr. Xiaoxiao Fu, University of Central Florida, USA
  • Dr. Heather Gibson, University of Florida, USA
  • Dr. Marcus Hansen, Liverpool John Moores University, UK
  • Dr. Tadayuki Hara, University of Central Florida, USA
  • Dr. Jusuke Ikegami, Waseda University, Japan
  • Dr. Hiromi Kamata, Hitotsubashi University, Japan
  • Dr. Kyriaki (Kiki) Kaplanidou, University of Florida, USA
  • Dr. James Kennell, University of Surrey, UK
  • Dr. Morihiko Kinjo, University of the Ryukyus, Japan
  • Dr. Jane Ali-Knight, Edinburgh Napier University, UK
  • Dr. Brendon Knott, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa
  • Dr. Maximiliano E. Korstanje, University of Palermo, Argentina
  • Dr. Anna Leask, Edinburgh Napier University, UK
  • Dr. Xinran Lehto, Purdue University, USA
  • Dr. Bingna Lin, City University of Macau, China
  • Dr. Mimi Li, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
  • Dr. Michelle McLeod, University of the West Indies at Mona, Jamaica
  • Dr. Judith Mair, University of Queensland, Australia
  • Dr. Marco Nutta, Hitotsubashi University, Japan
  • Dr. Eric Olson, Metropolitan State University of Denver, USA
  • Dr. Stephen Pratt, University of Central Florida, USA
  • Dr. Brent Ritchie, University of Queensland, Australia
  • Dr. Richard Shipway, Bournemouth University, UK
  • Dr. Naoki Wakabayashi, Kyoto University, Japan
  • Dr. Youcheng Wang, University of Central Florida, USA
  • Dr. Wei Wei, University of Central Florida, USA
  • Dr. Yuichi Yamada, Ritsumeikan University, Japan
  • Dr. Chaozhi Zhang, Sun Yat-Sen University, China
  • Dr. Morihiko Kinjo, University of the Ryukyus, Japan
  • Dr. Sotetsu Sen, Kyushu Sangyo University, Japan
  • Dr. Jusuke Ikegami, Waseda University, Japan
  • Dr. Yuichi Yamada, Ritsumeikan University, Japan
  • Dr. Noriko Takai Tokunaga, Kanagawa University, Japan
  • Associate Prof. QU Meng, Hokkaido University, Japan
  • Associate Prof. Yusuke Ishiguro, Hokkaido University, Japan
  • Prof. Kozo Miyagawa, Rissho University, Japan
  • Prof. Tastuo Oi, Rissho University, Japan
  • Associate Prof. Bozana Zekan, MODUL University, Austria
  • Prof. Ulrich Gunter, MODUL University, Austria
  • Dr. Ubaldino Couto, Macao University of Tourism, Macao
  • Dr. Jessica Wiitala, High Point University, USA
  • Dr. Nick Wise, Arizona State University, USA
  • Dr. Joanne Jung-Eun Yoo, University of Delaware, USA

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

Chair
  • Dr. Tadayuki Hara, University of Central Florida, USA
Co-Chair
  • Dr. Alan Fyall, University of Central Florida, USA
  • Professor Hiroyuki Kamiyama, Hokkaido University, Japan
  • Dr. Jeannie Hahm, University of Central Florida, USA
Chief Secretariat
  • Seiji Teramachi, Hokkaido Newspaper Press, Japan
Secretariat members
  • Shinichi Hisamatsu, E.C., Japan
  • Asami Hoshi, E.C., Japan
  • Kawika Dennis, E.C., Japan