Getting to know your colleague Shabnam Shaygan
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Shabnam Shaygan is an international student who joined the MTA program last January with a concentration in Hospitality Management, and she plans to graduate in December 2021. Her background is in design. She earned a Master of Science degree in Design for the Fashion System from the Polytechnic University of Milan, focusing on sustainability in fashion design. She is currently the Director of Communications in Tourism for Tomorrow (TFT), MTA student organization.
What projects have you been working on that you want to share with the readers?
As the semester ends in less than three weeks, I am currently focusing on my final projects. Additionally, I am improving my social media skills as it is an essential part of digital marketing.
What career plan do you have after you complete the MTA Program?
Well, I am new to the hospitality industry, and managerial positions truly fascinate me. I would like to find a suitable internship/job in the US to learn and have more hospitality experience. Regarding my abilities and past experiences in design, I am also interested in digital marketing and advertising related to hospitality and tourism.
What is an unusual talent that you have?
I paint on glass since I am always fascinated by the magical reflection that light and colors create through a glass window.
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Professor Seleni Matus, Executive Director, International Institute of Tourism Studies, was quoted in Skift article by Lebawit Lily Girma on reimaging tourism strategies by Caribbean destinations facing the loss of cruise tourism, a study the Institute did for the Caribbean Tourism Organization over the summer.
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Professor Cevat Tosun co-authored two articles:
He also co-presented two papers at Managing Tourism Across Continents Virtual Conference in September, 2020, in Turkey: "Evolution of Approaches to Tourism Development in the Developing Countries Context" and "Evaluation of Tourism Development in Emerging Destinations: A Comparative Perspective from Beibu Economic Zone, China" These papers are accessible in the conference proceedings on pp. 40-57 and pp. 58-77.
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Zheng (Vince) Jia (MTA ’17), appointed Cluster Senior Revenue Analysis at Marriott International, Shenzhen, China; Marcus Lee (MTA ’14), promoted to Vice President, Consulting & Valuation at HVS in Los Angeles; Kathy Kexin Li (MTA ’17), CRME, CHIA, appointed Cluster Revenue Manager – Revenue Management Consolidated Center (RMCC) at Hilton, Shanghai, China. Congrats, Vince, Marcus and Kathy!
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Do you know Virginia is the birthplace of American wine and one of the top five wine producing states in the U.S. with nearly 300 wineries and dozens of wine trails for authentic and memorable wine tourism experience? Join us for virtual wine tours and a conversation with three distinguished MTA alumni and an acclaimed chef on Virginia wine, wine and culinary experiences, community development through wine tourism, and a toast to the holiday season. We dedicate this webinar to the global tourism industry for resiliency, agility and creativity during the global pandemic and to our MTA/MBA alumni and all stakeholders for unyielding support in 2020.
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David Adler, Chairman and Founder of BizBash, had an intimate and fast-paced discussion on entrepreneurship at the intersection of media and the events world. Mr. Adler shared his experiences launching and developing BizBash, the largest business-to-business event media property with nearly 1.5 million annual user sessions. He also discussed his insights on starting, growing, acquiring and selling companies during his career spanning over three decades. In addition, attendees learned more about the changing role of media in the hospitality sector, as well as how COVID-19 is influencing the future of events and meetings. Professor Stuart Levy moderated the session and Catalina Navarro, MTA student, facilitated the Q&A session. The on-demand recording of the session is available here.
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Professor Larry Yu was invited by the GNA University in India as an Eminent Speaker at the 3Rd International Conference on Hospitality and Tourism: Hospitality and Tourism Industry – A Better Future for All. Professor Yu’s presentation: The Future of Tourism: Authenticity and Connectivity, discussed the technological responses to the impact of the Covid pandemic on the tourism and hospitality businesses and emphasized that authenticity is the essence of the tourism experience and sustainability in post pandemic travel.
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A panel of hospitality industry leaders provided a fast-paced discussion of how innovative hospitality companies and breakthrough brands are adapting business strategies for 2021 and beyond. The panel shared the concrete decision points and storytelling surrounding new business models, revenue streams and deployment of resources from experts in operations, finance, marketing and design. They also discussed key travel trends for 2021, including shorter booking windows, longer stays, high cancellation rates and interest in socially distant options such as isolated luxury accommodations, private jets and drive-market trips. The on-demand recording of the session is available here.
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