PhD student Mattia Rainoldi presenting his doctoral research on work and leisure in the digital age at the #ENTER2018 PhD Workshop #eTourism @JKPG #Sweden
Professor Dimitrios Buhalis will be presenting 6 papers at the ENTER2018 eTourism Conference
Professional development courses for tourism & hospitality professionals
Bournemouth University Tourism and Hospitality Professional courses 28 Feb – 16 March 2018
Course details – www.bournemouth.ac.uk/tourism-hospitality-shortcourses
Bookings – Professional development courses Brochure https://tinyurl.com/BUTHProfessionalCourses
Professional development courses for tourism & hospitality professionals
Masterclasses and short courses
We have developed a suite of professional development courses for the tourism and hospitality industry to support managers in their operational and strategic thinking. They will bring you the tools and techniques to help grow your business.
Join us to learn how you can develop your potential and competitiveness through managing your staff, developing your product and service, understanding your customers and using digital marketing. You will also have access to our resources and networks to develop your competitiveness.
The courses are delivered through interactive workshops and networking with leading academics and students and will support managers to develop contemporary knowledge of critical business aspects that influence their profitability and performance.
Events organised by Bournemouth University Department of Tourism and Hospitality
Join Department of Tourism and Hospitality Bournemouth University for these events
Events organised by Bournemouth University Department of Tourism and Hospitality
Delighted to invite you to our events organised by Bournemouth University
LONDON : BU Tourism and Hospitality Fusion Conference in partnership with Grange Hotels
1-2 February 2018 Grange City Hotel London
https://microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk/tourism/2018/01/11/bufusionconference/
See Brochure https://tinyurl.com/BUFusionTourismHospitality2018
Organised by Simon Thomas and Dimitrios Buhalis

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Bournemouth University Tourism and Hospitality Professional courses
28 Feb – 16 March 2018 Course details – www.bournemouth.ac.uk/tourism-hospitality-shortcourses
Bookings – Professional development courses Brochure https://tinyurl.com/BUTHProfessionalCourses
Organised by Claire Main and Dimitrios Buhalis

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CHME2018 22-25 May 2018 Council for Hospitality Management Education
CHME 2018 Conference Bournemouth University http://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/CHME
Provisional programme
https://www1.bournemouth.ac.uk/sites/default/files/asset/document/CHME2018Programme.pdf
Organised by Hanaa Osman and Dimitrios Buhalis

Would be delighted to welcome you and explore opportunities to collaborate
Dr Mike Short CBE Chief Scientific Advisor at Department for International Trade (DIT) will join the BU Fusion Tourism and Hospitality conference
Delighted to welcome Dr Mike Short, CBE, Chief Scientific Advisor at Department for International Trade (DIT) at the Bournemouth University Fusion Tourism and Hospitality conference in London.
BU Tourism and Hospitality Fusion Conference in partnership with Grange Hotels
1-2 February 2018 Grange City Hotel London
https://microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk/tourism/2018/01/11/bufusionconference/
Brochure https://tinyurl.com/BUFusionTourismHospitality2018
Dr Mike Short CBE is Chief Scientific Advisor at Department for International Trade (DIT) leading the science and engineering profession in the department and ensure its policy is informed by the best science, engineering and technical advice. He advises on the technical aspects of future trade deals as DIT looks to create new arrangements following Brexit, and will work with the UK’s research, development and academic communities to boost scientific and engineering exports. Mike has over 40 years’ experience in Electronics and Telecommunications, with the last 25 years in Mobile Communications. He served as Vice President of Telefonica, the parent company of the O2 mobile phone network, for 17 years to December 2016. In this post, Short managed the launch of 2G (GSM) and 3G mobile technologies in the UK, and led research and development for Telefonica Europe. His career also includes the promotion of international technical standards in mobile technology, and he is also a former Chairman of the Global GSM Association, the UK Mobile Data Association, and President of the Institution of Engineering and Technology. He is currently a visiting professor at the universities of Surrey, Coventry, Leeds and Lancaster, where in recent years he has led the development on collaborations in areas such as smart cities, digital healthcare, cybersecurity and driverless vehicles. He was awarded an honorary Doctorate in 2008 for services to the Mobile Communications industry. He is a Fellow of IET/BCS/RGS/ Royal Academy and a Member of the Royal Television Society, and was honoured with a CBE for services to the Mobile industry in June 2012. Mike is a visionary that has moved the mobile industry forward at a European and Global level.
Bournemouth University Tourism & Hospitality Fusion Conference
Bournemouth University Tourism & Hospitality Fusion Conference
Thursday 1st and Friday 2nd February 2018 Time: 10:00 – 18:00
Location: Grange City Hotel London, 8-14 Cooper’s Row, London EC3N 2BQ
The Bournemouth University BU Tourism & Hospitality Fusion Conference will be held in London on the 1st (Focus on Tourism) and 2nd (Focus on Hospitality) of February 2018 at 10am in partnership with Grange Hotels. The conference brings together future talent, rising star graduates and senior industry professionals to address the needs of the future. Students and academics from Bournemouth University meet with invited industry leaders to discuss cutting edge issues in Strategy, Talent and Digital Technologies for the Tourism and Hospitality industries. The events will bring together contemporary academic research from Bournemouth University, leading industry thinkers and emerging BU student talent from around the globe. The Fusion conference is developed in partnership with Grange Hotels, the collection of private luxury hotels superbly located in the heart of the world’s most exciting city – London. Join us to hear from key industry speakers and have a chance to network with alumni and leading members of the tourism and hospitality industries.
By Invitation only – For invitation or more information please contact
Conference Chair Simon Thomas sthomas@bournemouth.ac.uk or Professor Dimitrios Buhalis dbuhalis@bournemouth.ac.uk

BU Tourism and Hospitality Fusion Conference
1-2 February 2018 Grange City Hotel London
Thursday 1st February
TOURISM FOCUS |
Friday 2nd February
HOSPITALITY FOCUS |
|
10:00 | Arrival – Registration | Arrival – Registration |
10:30-11:15 | Welcome and setting the Scene
Dimitrios Buhalis BU Tony Matharu Grange Hotels State of Tourism and BU contribution Adele Ladkin Adam Blake |
Welcome and setting the Scene
Dimitrios Buhalis BU Tony Matharu Grange Hotels State of Hospitality and BU contribution Heather Hartwell Viachaslau Filimonau |
11:15 – 11:45 | Break | Break |
11:45 – 13:00 Strategy
|
Chair: Duncan Light and Svetla Stoyanova-Bozhkova
Keynote: John Hays (Hays Travel)
Antonio Paradiso (MSC Cruises) Dan Pearce (TTG Media) Anne-May Janssen (UniversitiesUK International) |
Chair: Richard Ward and Crispin Farbrother
Keynote: Peter Ducker (IOH)
John Seaton (Cendyn) Adam Rowledge (Georgian House Hotel) Sal Gowili (The Ritz) |
13:00 – 14:00 | Networking lunch | Networking lunch |
14:00 – 15:15
Talent Management
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Chair: Anya Chapman and Philipp Wassler
Keynote: Claire Steiner (ITT)
Julia Feuell (OTT Training) Barbara Kolosinska (C&M Recruitment) Adrian Parkes (GTMC) |
Chair: Simon Thomas and Lia Marinakou
Keynote: Rob Zajko (Hilton)
Ann Whelan (Jumeirah) Edward Gallier (Jurys) Cedric Horgnies (Threadneedles Hotel) |
15:15 – 15:30 | Break | Break |
15:30 – 16:45 Technology and Digital Futures | Facilitators: Derek Robins and Steve Richards
Keynote: James Lemon (Travelport)
Brian Garvan (Wanup) Froi Legaspi (Digital Town) Dr Mike Short (DIT) |
Facilitators: Charalambos (Babis) Giousmpasoglou and Jeff Sadd
Keynote: Richard Lewis CEO at NPD Hotels Ltd
William Godfrey (Robot Restaurant) Lisa Geerdink (Booking.com) Debbie Flynn (Brighter Group) |
16:45 – 17:30 | Alumni Networking
Facilitator: Anya Chapman |
Alumni Networking
Facilitator: Crispin Farbrother |
17:30 – 17:45 | Closing comments Tim Gale | Closing comments Sean Beer |
18:00 | Coaches depart | Coaches depart |
DISCUSSANTS | Derek Robins and Steve Richards | Philippa Hudson and Hanaa Osman |
By Invitation only – For invitation or more information please contact
Conference Chair Simon Thomas sthomas@bournemouth.ac.uk or
Head of Department Tourism and Hospitality Professor Dimitrios Buhalis dbuhalis@bournemouth.ac.uk
TERMS AND CONDITIONS Please note that before placing an order, you will be asked to agree to Bournemouth University’s terms and conditions (see below). Please read these terms carefully and make sure you understand them before ordering any Products. Bournemouth University’s Online Event Terms and Conditions
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OTHER EVENTS ORGANISED BY BOURNEMOUTH UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY
Bournemouth University Tourism and Hospitality Professional courses 28 Feb – 16 March 2018
Course details – www.bournemouth.ac.uk/tourism-hospitality-shortcourses
Bookings – Professional development courses Brochure https://tinyurl.com/BUTHProfessionalCourses
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22-25 May 2018 Council for Hospitality Management Education CHME 2018 Conference Bournemouth University http://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/CHME Deadline for papers 26th January 2018
Provisional programme https://www1.bournemouth.ac.uk/sites/default/files/asset/document/CHME2018Programme.pdf
Submit your 3000 words papers, abstracts, PhD papers and Student papers for CHME 2018 hosted by Bournemouth University
CHME2018 Innovation in hospitality
Submit your 3000 words papers, abstracts, PhD papers and Student papers for CHME 2018 hosted by Bournemouth University
22-25 May 2018 Council for Hospitality Management Education CHME 2018 Conference Bournemouth University http://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/CHME
Deadline for papers 26th January 2018
The conference will be a showcase for research in innovative hospitality. The four thematic streams of the conference will be unchanged, but we are also introducing new streams of ‘research on technology and innovation’ and ‘today’s and tomorrow’s consumers’. Our main theme – ‘Innovation in hospitality: connecting all stakeholders to deliver memorable experiences’ – embraces the multifaceted changes driven by dynamic political, economic, social and technological forces surrounding hospitality, which affect both academia and industry.
Provisional programme https://www1.bournemouth.ac.uk/sites/default/files/asset/document/CHME2018Programme.pdf
Call for paper and posters https://www1.bournemouth.ac.uk/sites/default/files/asset/document/CHME-Research-Conference-Notes-for-Contributors.pdf
Undergraduate and Master’s student research https://www1.bournemouth.ac.uk/about/our-faculties/faculty-management/our-departments/department-tourism-hospitality/chme-conference-2018/undergraduate-master-s-student-research
Happy New Year 2018 and get involved with us
From all of us at Bournemouth University Department of Tourism and Hospitality
Happy New Year !

Look forward to engage with you in one of our events
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BU Tourism and Hospitality Fusion Conference 1-2 February 2018
Grange City Hotel London http://ow.ly/vp4830hnQKG By Invitation Only
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Bournemouth University Tourism and Hospitality Professional courses 28 Feb – 16 March 2018
Course details – www.bournemouth.ac.uk/tourism-hospitality-shortcourses
Bookings – Professional development courses
Brochure https://tinyurl.com/BUTHProfessionalCourses
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22-25 May 2018 Council for Hospitality Management Education CHME 2018 Conference
Bournemouth University http://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/CHME Deadline for papers 26th January 2018
Provisional programme https://www1.bournemouth.ac.uk/sites/default/files/asset/document/CHME2018Programme.pdf
Dr Tim Gale was quoted recently in the Times article about Travel firms duping buyers with bogus cheap deals.
Dr Tim Gale, was quoted recently in the Times article about Travel firms duping buyers with bogus cheap deals. Holidaymakers were warned to beware of sales tricks. Tim said: “These prompts create a sense of fear, panic and urgency in the buyer. A lot of the language is designed to prey on people’s fears of missing out on a bargain.”
Read the article
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/travel-firms-dupe-buyers-with-bogus-cheap-deals-8g50b9gv0
Artificial Intelligence Enabled Customer Engagement: Using Chatbots (Airfestbot) at Bournemouth Air Festival
Artificial Intelligence Enabled Customer Engagement: Using Chatbots (Airfestbot) at Bournemouth Air Festival
Bournemouth Air Festival – www.bournemouthair.co.uk attracts on average 1 million attendees over 3 days and recently awarded as national “Tourism Event of The Year 2015”(Bournemouthair, 2015) by Visit England. These attendees are a mix of residents and tourists who may need information or support during their visit to the airfestival. The airshow is a complex event as it is a large scale outdoor event with a number of components. The scale of the event, set along 3 km of beach creates a challenge to provide information in a timely manner using signs. Also, as an outdoor event, activities are affected by weather, resulting in changes to the schedule or even cancellation of activities. The event organizers have taken advantage of mobile communications and maintain a number of social media channels. This year, the team went further to collaborate with Bournemouth University and Iamcatobot to launch a chatbot, Airfestbot to provide customer support via twitter and facebook messenger.
Messaging platforms such as Facebook Messenger, Telegram, Kik and WeChat have emerged as most frequently used online customer services. As a synchronous form of communication, messaging is increasingly used to obtain advice during an experience. Organizations face issues in managing these communications as it requires dedicated personnel to respond to individual requests, a significant resource commitment. While text based conversational agents or chatbots have a long history, recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have improved their ability to understand questions and provide appropriate responses. Chatbots can now to interact with users in a conversational manner using text or audio, supporting customer engagement efforts in the form of individual attention to requests from large numbers of users and encourage interactions between users and organisations. Chatbots have been used for a variety of commercial and non commercial applications. For commercial applications, chatbots have been used to provide customer support, purchases, information and interactive entertainment to users. For non commercial applications, chatbots have been used to support mental health and provide information for social support organizations (McTear, Callejas and Griol 2016). In these applications, chatbots can improve efficiency of frontline staff and user engagement.
For efficiency, chatbots can hold conversations with multiple users over messaging services, websites and social media simultaneously. The cost of operating in this manner will be expensive to do manually, as multiple employees will be required to provide responses. Chatbots can also be used to provide consistent responses to routine requests across online platforms with reduced errors or mistakes. For user engagement, chatbots can provide enhanced service quality such as communication in multiple languages (Kuo, Chen, & Tseng, 2017), provision of contextual information via options such as integrated menus and ability to communicate with differently abled users in a format that would be acceptable to them.

Airfestbot was designed and developed using a collaborative process that integrated the contributions of Bournemouth Council, Bournemouth University and Catobot Company. Dr Nigel Willams led the Bournemouth University research on social media engagement at Bournemouth Air Festival (Williams et al 2017) was used to provide initial information to guide development of Airfestbot. Bournemouth Council’s social media team provided frequently asked questions and resposes that would be used to provide information to users of Airfestbot. Technology for Airfestbot was provided by the Cato Bot Company Limited (CatoBot) ,a technology company founded in the summer of 2016 specialised in the development of cognitive web applications that can read, hear, see and reason. CatoBot’s technological capacity is based on enterprise state-of-the-art machine learning technologies and a diverse team of independent engineers and designers. CatoBot is a young but fast growing technology startup that in its first year has managed to service a wide range of organisations for multinational enterprises, SMEs and public sector organisations aiming to improve operational productivity and public engagement.
The design consisted of a menu system to provide immediate access to relevant information within messenger and a natural language based response system. Airfestbot was then trained by council staff who it could understand a range of natural language queries. The bot was then launched 2 days before the event and managed to converse with several hundred respondents. The team overall were happy with the experiment and Airfestbot will be returning for Bournemouth Air Festival 2018. The team is also in the early stages of developing a Destinationbot that can support visitors all year round.
Williams, N., Inversini; A., Buhalis, D., Ferdinand, N., 2017 Destination eWOM drivers and characteristics, Annals of Tourism Research Vol.64 pp.87–101 http://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2017.02.007