Artificial Intelligence for Smart Technology in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry

Focuses on incorporating smart information technology into the tourism and hospitality industry. It explores the evolving technologies, such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, big data, blockchain, and automation and robotics for transforming hotels into smart hotels and for revolutionizing hospitality services.

Vinod Kumar Shukla, PhD, is currently working with Amity University, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, as Associate Professor and Head of Academics in the School of Engineering Architecture Interior Design. He has more than 14 years of experience. He completed his PhD in the field of Semantic Web and Ontology. He is an active member of IEEE and has published many research papers in various reputed journals and conferences. He has also completed the General Management Programme at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A). He has conducted many training programs, such as employees of Delhi Transco Limited (D.T.L); the Indian postal department in Megdoot Bhawan, Delhi; and the Directorate General Resettlement (DGR) (an interservice organization functioning directly under the Ministry of Defence (D.G.R). He has also written case study titled ＂＂Online Retail in UAE: Driven to Grow＂＂ and ＂Modi’s Visit to UAE: Uncovering New Areas of Cooperation,＂ which are hosted by the European Case Clearing House (ECCH), UK. He has written and edited many books in the field of Industry 4.0 and information technology. He holds international patents in the broader field of information technology. He has received an ＂Inquisitive Award＂ at Unanimity-2020, organized and hosted by Amity University Dubai, UAE. He has been awarded a Star Supporter Award-2019, which was presented by the Manzil Center, Sharjah, UAE. Her Highness Sheikha Chaica S. Al Qassimi and Dr. Ayesha Saeed Husaini, Director, Al Manzil Center, Sharjah, UAE, presented him with the ＂＂Appreciation Certificate and Star Supporter Award-2019＂＂ to Amity University Dubai for his continuous support to community engagement and volunteerism. He also received a Memento for Amity University Dubai, from Mrs. Gloria Gangte, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India, Sultanate of Oman for Guidance Seminar 2016.

Amit Verma, PhD, has 16 years of experience in academics and the tourism industry, currently working as Dean of Student Affairs, Global Business Studies, GBS Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He has extensive experience in airlines, hotels, destination management companies, and online travel companies, including Austrian Airlines, TAJ Hotel, Crown Plaza, MakeMyTrip, Travelport, and Carlson Wagonlit Travel. His latest academic qualification is Executive-GMP, a General Management Program from IIM-Ahmedabad, India. Dr. Verma has been teaching for the last 10 years and has been associated with the Skyline University Sharjah, UAE; Management Development Institute of Singapore, Singapore; MDIS, Uzbekistan; and Lucknow University, India. He has also been a visiting lecturer at the University of Sunderland and Bangor University, both in the UK. Dr. Verma effectively contributed to the Emiratization plan in Dubai and managed the project of the Ajman tour guide training program. He also initiated the tour guide license framework in the capacity of Head of the Department at Skyline University. He has been instrumental in RAKTA training program and published development initiatives in coordination with the Fujairah Tourism & Antiquities Authority. He has planned and executed the Save Water Program with the Shurooq Authority. He has received several awards for successful operation of several training programs, including the IATA Top Performer Award, ACCA Gold Status Award, etc.

Jean Paolo G. Lacap, PhD, is currently the Vice President for Research and Extension of the City College of Angeles, Angeles City, Philippines. He is a recipient of the 2018 Research Productivity Award bestowed by the Philippine Association of Researchers and Statistical Software Users (PARSSU) for his outstanding contributions in research publications in Scopus- and Clarivate Analytics-indexed journals. He is also the 2016 Outstanding Business Educator in the Field of Entrepreneurship and received the 2014 Young Achiever Award in Business Education, both presented by the Philippine Council of Deans and Educators in Business (PCDEB). With his outstanding accomplishments in business education, he was recently conferred the highest recognition of Diplomate in Business Education (DBE) by the Philippine Academy of Professionals in Business Education. He is a Registered Marketing Professional (RMP) and Accredited Marketing Educator (AMEd). He has presented many research papers at conferences in the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Australia, and has published related research studies in reputable international refereed and SCOPUS- and Clarivate Analytics-indexed journals, including Asia-Pacific Social Science Review, Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research, Journal of Science and Technology Policy Management, to name a few. He has received several research awards and recognition for best research paper and best research paper presenter. He is part of several international refereed journals in the Philippines and abroad as editorial board member and reviewer.