The College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (CTHM) of IUBAT—International University of Business Agriculture and Technology—observed World Tourism Day 2026 on 27 September with a rally, campus cleaning campaign and a round table discussion on artificial intelligence (AI) and the future of tourism.
The event was organised in line with this year’s global theme, “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism”, bringing together academics and leaders from the hospitality and tourism industry at the IUBAT campus.
Students took part in the rally and cleaning campaign, highlighting environmental awareness and sustainable tourism practices that consider the needs of communities and destinations.
The main event was a round table discussion featuring academics and industry representatives, including Professor Abdur Rab, Vice-Chancellor of IUBAT; Selina Nargis, Treasurer and Director of Administration, IUBAT; Mohammad Badruddoza Talukder, Chairman of CTHM, IUBAT; T Kevin McIntyre, General Manager of Hyatt Place Dhaka Uttara; Islam Gure, General Manager of Dhaka, Turkish Airlines Inc; Romano Kreutz, Cluster Director of Culinary at Crowne Plaza Dhaka Airport; Nazmul Huda, Cluster Director of Human Resources at Crowne Plaza Dhaka Airport and InterContinental Dhaka Airport; Saiful Alam, Associate Director of Sales at InterContinental Dhaka; and Md Farhad Hossain Mozumder, Manager of Sales and Marketing at Hyatt Place Dhaka Uttara.
CTHM alumni working in leadership roles in the hospitality industry and academic experts from IUBAT also joined the discussion.
The participants discussed how AI and digital innovation could support smarter, more inclusive and sustainable tourism by improving decision-making, strengthening workforce skills and changing how destinations are managed and experienced.
The discussion also highlighted the need for stronger collaboration between universities and industry to prepare graduates for a technology-driven tourism sector.
The programme concluded with a shared commitment among participants to promote a sustainable, inclusive and responsible future for global tourism.
