Celebrating 15 years of scholarly excellence
As Research in Hospitality Management (RHM) enters its 15th year, a special issue marking a significant milestone in the journal’s journey has been published. The special issue titled “Transitions to the Future” reflects on past achievements and sets the stage for future directions.
Over the past decade and a half, RHM has evolved into a respected platform for scholarly discourse in hospitality and tourism, fostering academic and industry insights that continue to shape the field. This issue includes reflections from former Editors-in-Chief, Erwin Losekoot and Sjoerd Gehrels, who examine how the field has adapted to technological change, shifting consumer expectations, and global disruptions. Their insights offer valuable context as the journal continues to evolve alongside the industry it serves.
The articles in this issue highlight the challenges and opportunities that will define the future of hospitality, leisure, and tourism. The rapid transformation of the workforce is a central theme. El Hajal’s study on AI disruption and resilience in hospitality graduates examines how automation and artificial intelligence reshape career paths and skill requirements. Beach explores how businesses can navigate short-term operational challenges while maintaining long-term sustainability, providing a framework to help managers balance immediate decision-making with strategic resilience. The role of technology in shaping hospitality management is further examined in van der Meulen’s experimental AI-driven dialogue between a hospitality educator and an industry professional, highlighting the intersection of digital learning and professional training.
As Research in Hospitality Management celebrates 15 years of publication, this milestone issue reaffirms the journals' commitment to fostering rigorous, forward-thinking research that bridges academia and industry. The discussions within this volume reflect current developments and provide a foundation for future inquiry, inspiring scholars to address the pressing challenges and opportunities that define hospitality, leisure, and tourism’s evolving landscape.
Read this issue here.