Education
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2016-2021
University of Surrey, United Kingdom School of Hospitality, Tourism and Events Management PhD, Tourism Management
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2013-2016
University of Surrey School of Hospitality and Tourism Management BSc (Hons) Tourism Management
Degree
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PhD 2021
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BSc (Hons) Tourism Management 2016
Academic & Professional Experience
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2024.04-Now
Wakayama University Faculty of Tourism, Department of Tourism Associate Professor
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2021.09-2024.03
Wakayama University Center for Tourism Research Lecturer
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2020.01-2021.01
University of Surrey School of Hospitality, Tourism and Events Management Teaching Fellow Teaching Fellow
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2019.05-2019.07
University of Surrey School of Hospitality, Tourism and Events Management Research Assistant
Association Memberships
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2024.01-Now
Malaysia-Japan Academic Assosiation
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2023.06-2024.06
Japan Tourism Management Association
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2022.05-2023.05
Japan Society for Tourism Studies
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2018-2020
International Federation for IT and Travel & Tourism (IFITT)
Research Areas
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Humanities & social sciences / Tourism studies / Service Design, Technology in Tourism, Destination Management, Muslim Travel
Classes (including Experimental Classes, Seminars, Graduation Thesis Guidance, Graduation Research, and Topical Research)
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2025 Culture and thoughts in the age of Internationalization Liberal Arts and Sciences Subjects
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2025 Internship J Specialized Subjects
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2025 SeminarⅠ Specialized Subjects
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2025 Critical Tourism Issues B Specialized Subjects
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2025 Principles of Tourism A Specialized Subjects
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2025 Activity for Project Specialized Subjects
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2025 Tourist Behavior Specialized Subjects
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2024 Culture and thoughts in the age of Internationalization Liberal Arts and Sciences Subjects
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2024 Principles of Tourism A Specialized Subjects
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2024 Tourist Behavior Specialized Subjects
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2023 Critical Tourism Issues B Specialized Subjects
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2023 Culture and thoughts in the age of Internationalization Liberal Arts and Sciences Subjects
Independent study
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2024 Tourist Behaviour and Destination Marketing in Kansai Prefecture
Classes
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2025 Tourism Marketing Research B Master's Course
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2025 Tourism Marketing Research A Master's Course
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2025 Tourism DX
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2025 Professional Writing I
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2025 Destination Project I
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2025 Destination Project Ⅱ
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2025 Professional Writing Ⅱ
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2025 Current Situations of Tourism Destinations
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2025 Destination Field-Research
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2025 Research Methodology in Tourism Doctoral Course
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2025 Thesis Doctoral Course
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2024 Destination Field-Research
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2024 Current Situations of Tourism Destinations
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2024 Tourism Marketing Research(M) Master's Course
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2023 Tourism Marketing Research(M) Master's Course
Papers and Awards Received Related to Improving Education
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2024 Faculty of Tourism Award Faculty of Tourism, Wakayama University Domestic
Research Interests
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Technology and Tourism
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Tourism Management
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Muslim travel
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Service Design
Published Papers
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Local perspectives on preferable tourism futures: insights from Finland and Japan
Aarni Tuomi, Husna Zainal-Abidin
Journal of Tourism Futures ( Emerald Insight ) 2025.11 [Refereed]
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Digital cultural tourism: older adults’ acceptance and use of digital cultural tourism services
Aarni Tuomi, Elina Moreira Kares, Husna Zainal Abidin
Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality and Tourism ( Informa UK Limited ) 1 - 22 2023.09 [Refereed]
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The antecedents of digital collaboration through an enhanced digital platform for destination management: A micro-DMO perspective
Husna Zainal-Abidin, Caroline Scarles, Christine Lundberg (Part: Lead author, Corresponding author )
Tourism Management 2023.06 [Refereed]
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Video games and place branding: A netnographic study of Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Aarni Tuomi, Husna Zainal Abidin, Mário Passos Ascenção
Matkailututkimus ( Matkailututkimus ) 22 ( 1 ) 2026.06 [Refereed]
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A Comparative Study of Traditional Kyo-Machiya in Japan and Traditional Malacca Townhouses in Malaysia
Nurdiyana Zainal Abidin, Husna Zainal Abidin, Liyana Hasnan, Noor Hashimah Hashim Lim
Proceedings of the Malaysia-Japan Visionaries Conference 2024 ( Springer Nature Singapore ) 471 - 483 2026.03 [Refereed]
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Developing Muslim-Friendly Tourism in Non-Muslim Destinations: Insights from Stakeholders in Japan
Husna ZAINAL ABIDIN, Cahaya Rizka PUTRI (Part: Lead author, Corresponding author )
Proceedings of the APacCHRIE 2026 Conference 2026 [Refereed] [Invited]
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Exploring the pedagogical potential of digital dome theatre in tourism education
Husna Zainal Abidin, Yurika Shibamoto, Yumi Oura (Part: Lead author, Corresponding author )
Proceedings of the APacCHRIE 2026 Conference 2026 [Refereed]
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Convincingness of AI-Generated Restaurant Reviews
Aarni Tuomi, Husna Zainal Abidin, Pasi Tuominen, Mário Passos Ascenção
Information and Communication Technologies in Tourism 2025 2025.05 [Refereed]
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Exploring preferable climate futures in tourism
Husna ZAINAL ABIDIN, Aarni TUOMI (Part: Lead author )
Wakayama Tourism Review ( Center for Tourism Research ) 6 36 - 38 2025.04 [Refereed]
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Exploring Older Adults’ Views of Future Sustainable Destination Development
Husna Zainal Abidin, Aarni Tuomi, Alia Rahman (Part: Lead author, Corresponding author )
Proceedings of the 4th ATLAS-Critical Tourism Studies Asia Pacific Conference 2025.01 [Refereed]
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Book Review: Digital Transformation and Innovation in Tourism Events, edited by Azizul Hassan.
Victoria-Ann Verkerk, Husna Zainal Abidin
Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management 2024.12 [Refereed]
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Getting Smart? A Research Note into Smart Tourism Curriculum and Implications on Generation Alpha and Beta
Aaron Tham, Husna Zainal Abidin (Part: Last author )
Journal of Smart Tourism 3 ( 1 ) 35 - 39 2023.03 [Refereed]
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Older Adults’ Perceptions of Digital Cultural Tourism in ‘Super-Aged’ Nations: The Case of Finland and Japan
Aarni Tuomi, Elina Moreira Kares (Part: Lead author, Corresponding author )
Information and Communication Technologies in Tourism 2023 ( Springer Nature Switzerland ) 361 - 366 2023
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Addressing water scarcity in the Japanese tourism sector: A pro-environmental behaviour approach
Husna Zainal Abidin (Part: Lead author )
Wakayama Tourism Review 3 40 - 43 2022.03 [Refereed] [Invited]
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A review of tourism impacts and strategies: An introduction to Wakayama Tourism Review Volume 2
Husna ZAINAL ABIDIN (Part: Lead author )
Wakayama Tourism Review 2 5 - 6 2022.03 [Refereed] [Invited]
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Reconceptualisation of digital cultures of DMOs through an enhanced digital platform
Husna Zainal Abidin
2021
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Micro-mobilities in curated spaces: agency, autonomy and dwelling in visitor experiences of augmented reality in arts and heritage
Caroline Scarles, Helen Treharne, Matthew Casey, Husna Zainal Abidin
Mobilities ( Informa UK Limited ) 15 ( 6 ) 776 - 791 2020.09 [Refereed]
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Digital Collaboration: A Solution for Destinations
Husna Zainal Abidin (Part: Lead author )
e-Review of Tourism Research 16 ( 2/3 ) 205 - 214 2019.01 [Refereed]
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Inferences and Decision Heuristics in Peer-to-Peer Accommodation Booking
Chen, Yujia, Liu, Shasha, Tussyadiah, Iis, Abidin, Husna Zainal, Zarezadeh, Zara (Part: Last author )
ENTER 2019 16 ( 2/3 ) 2019.01 [Refereed]
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Digital Futures: Augmented Reality in Arts and Heritage
Husna Zainal Abidin
( University of Surrey ) 2019
Books etc
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Ethical, Legal, and Social Issue (ELSI) Considerations for Social Implementation of the Interverse
Kotaro Osawa, Yusuke Kishita, Shunsuke Sugimoto, Jooho Park, Husna Zainal Abidin, Bach Quang Ho, Koichi Mikami, Kentaro Watanabe, Takashi Okuma( Part: Joint author)
Research Institute on Human and Societal Augmentation, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) 2026
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Routledge Handbook on Gender in Tourism : Views on Teaching, Research and Praxis
Husna ZAINAL ABIDIN, Ireena IBNU( Part: Contributor, Work: Gender and religion in tourism education: Experiences of female Muslim university students studying tourism in the West)
Routledge 2024 ISBN: 9781032261348
Misc
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High tech, high touch, high hospitality
Tuomi, Aa, Ascenção, M. P, Zainal Abidin, H (Part: Last author )
( Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences ) 2022.03 [Invited]
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Digital Futures: Augmented Reality in Arts and Heritage, University of Surrey (in partnership with Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village & Smartify)
Scarles, C, Zainal Abidin, H, Bailey, E, Helen, T
2019 [Invited]
Awards & Honors
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Wakayama University Faculty of Tourism Recognition Award
2025 Wakayama University
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Best Paper Award
Winner: Kaede Sano, Caroline Scarles
2023.12 Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA) Asia Pacific Chapter Exploring tourists’ perceptions on the use of generative AI: Using ChatGPT for travel planning to Japan
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Doctoral Studentship
2016.09 University of Surrey, United Kingdom
Conference Activities & Talks
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Developing Muslim-Friendly Tourism in Non-Muslim Destinations: Insights from Stakeholders in Japan
Husna ZAINAL ABIDIN, Cahaya Rizka PUTRI [Invited]
APacCHRIE 2026 2026.05.30
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Exploring the pedagogical potential of digital dome theatre in tourism education
Husna ZAINAL ABIDIN, Yurika SHIBAMOTO, Yumi OURA [Invited]
APacCHRIE 2026 2026.05.29
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Transforming Tourism Education: Exploring How Digital Dome Theatres can Enhance Student Learning
Husna ZAINAL ABIDIN, Yumi OURA, Yurika SHIBAMOTO
33rd ENTER26 eTourism Conference: Advancing Tourism Technology for a Better Future 2026.01.30 (Breda University) International Federation for IT and Travel & Tourism (IFITT)
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Beyond VR and AR: Exploring the Potential of Digital Dome Theatres for Destination Marketing
Rantoniaina Fintitsoa ANDRIANASOLO, Husna ZAINAL ABIDIN [Invited]
33rd ENTER26 eTourism Conference: Advancing Tourism Technology for a Better Future 2026.01.29 (Breda University) International Federation for IT and Travel & Tourism (IFITT)
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Enhancing Inclusivity and Diversity through Muslim-friendly Tourism
Husna ZAINAL ABIDIN [Invited]
Tourism and Culture Class, Nara Prefectural University Japan 2025.12.08
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Exploring the use of immersive digital technologies for tourism education
Husna ZAINAL ABIDIN, Yumi OURA, Yurika SHIBAMOTO [Invited]
CTR Research Forum 2025.11.11
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DMO Visit Surrey and DMOs in Japan
Husna ZAINAL ABIDIN [Invited]
Tourism Destination Management [MAN3230], University of Surrey 2025.02.17 University of Surrey
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Sustainable Tourism Development: Insights from Japan
Husna ZAINAL ABIDIN [Invited]
Urban Renaissance. 3rd International Conference of Polytechnic University of the Philippines 2025.01.30 (Polytechnic University of the Philippines) Polytechnic University of the Philippines
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Unlocking Japan’s Potential in Muslim-Friendly Tourism
Husna ZAINAL ABIDIN [Invited]
CATS Tourism Online Forum Series (TOFS) vol.44 2025.01.17 Center for Advanced Tourism Studies, Hokkaido University
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Using LEGO Serious Play to explore Host Perspectives on Preferable Tourism Futures
Aarni TUOMI, Husna ZAINAL ABIDIN
32nd ENTER Tourism Conference 2025.01.17 (Wrocław) International Federation for IT and Travel & Tourism
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Convincingness of AI-generated Restaurant Reviews
Aarni TUOMI, Husna ZAINAL ABIDIN
32nd ENTER Tourism Conference 2025.01.17 (Wrocław) International Federation for IT and Travel & Tourism
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Supporting Early Career Researchers in Tourism
Husna ZAINAL ABIDIN [Invited]
4th ATLAS-Critical Tourism Studies Asia Pacific Conference 2025.01.14 (Hainan University-Arizona State University Joint International Tourism College (HAITC)) 4th ATLAS-Critical Tourism Studies Asia Pacific Conference
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Exploring Older Adults’ Views of Future Sustainable Destination Development
Husna ZAINAL ABIDIN, Aarni TUOMI, Alia RAHMAN
4th ATLAS-Critical Tourism Studies Asia Pacific Conference 2025.01.13 (Hainan University-Arizona State University Joint International Tourism College (HAITC)) ATLAS Critical Tourism Studies
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Exploring Muslim Friendly Tourism Development for Regional Revitalisation in Japan: A Visitor Perspective
Husna ZAINAL ABIDIN [Invited]
International Conference on Halal and Fatwa (ICCoHaF) 2024.09.19 (Nilai Springs Resort Hotel) Institute of Fatwa and Halal (IFFAH), Universiti Sains Islam, Malaysia
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Preferable Futures For Tourism Development: Local Host Perspective From Japan And Malaysia
[Invited]
Malaysia Japan Visionaries Conference 2024 2024.09.15 (University of Tokyo) Malaysia Japan Academic Association
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Does Generative Artificial Intelligence Emotionally Influence The Travel Planning Experience Of Tourist? Comparing Traditional Information Searching Process With Chatgpt.
Husna ZAINAL ABIDIN, Kaede SANO [Invited]
Asia Pacific Tourism Association (APTA) 2024 2024.07.04 (Galaxy International Convention Center Andaz) Asia Pacific Tourism Association
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Exploring a Design Thinking Approach for Digital Collaboration in Sustainable Tourism Development
[Invited]
INTI International University Online Symposium – Exploring Digital and Sustainable Tourism 2023.12.15 (INTI International University Malaysia) INTI International University Malaysia
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Exploring tourists’ perceptions on the use of generative AI: Using ChatGPT for travel planning to Japan
Kaede Sano, Caroline Scarles [Invited]
Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA) Asia Pacific Annual Conference 2023 2023.12.02 (Sejong University, Seoul) Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA) Asia Pacific Chapter
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Task-technology fit and Destination Management Organisation (DMO): A visitors’ perspective
Husna Zainal Abidin
The Japan Society of Tourism Business Research 5th Tourism Management Conference 2023.06.11
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Digital Collaboration in Tourism
Husna Zainal Abidin [Invited]
Academic Research Lab 2023.05.24
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Digital technologies and pro-environmental behaviours in tourism
Husna Zainal Abidin [Invited]
Open Space Research Forum 2023 2023.05.19
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Tourism Management and Japan
Husna Zainal Abidin [Invited]
Centre for Japanology Studies Summer Programme 2023 2023.05.18
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Smart Tourism Research
[Invited]
The SEARA Program Batch 8, Southeast Asia Research Academy (SEARA) 2023.03.15
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Research in Tourism Seminar
[Invited]
Research in Tourism Seminar, Hanoi University Vietnam 2023.02.18
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Digital Tools to improve Research: Managing information, synthesizing literature, and writing academic papers
[Invited]
CTR Workshop Series for Students & Young Researchers 2023.01.17
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Exploring digital stakeholder management in the UK and tourism space in Japan
Husna ZAINAL ABIDIN [Invited]
Tourism Industry and Practice 2022.11.30
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Intercultural Experiences of a Malaysian Female Muslim in the UK and Japan
Husna ZAINAL ABIDIN [Invited]
Intercultural Communication Seminar, Universiti Teknologi MARA Malaysia 2022.11.27
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Life in Japan
[Invited]
Japanese Culture Summer Program 2022, Wakayama University Japan 2022.08.03
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Digital cultural tourism: Exploring elderly tourists’ acceptance and use of digital cultural services in ‘super-aged’ nations
Husna ZAINAL ABIDIN, Aarni TUOMI, Elina MOREIRA KARES [Invited]
Japan Society for Tourism Studies 2022.07.03
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Exploring the Marginalization of Muslim Women: Future Tourism research
Husna ZAINAL ABIDIN, Joseph CHEER [Invited]
Critical Tourism Studies 2022.06.30
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Exploring Digital Collaboration in Destinations
Font, X, Zainal-Abidin, H, Ling, E, Kim H.R, Lin, G, Li, M, Hsu, C, Zhang, S [Invited]
Surrey-HKPU Joint Behavioural Science Seminar 2021.10.20 (Online) Hong Kong Polytechnic University and University of Surrey
Research Exchange
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Immersive digital technologies for tourism education
2025.04-NowJoint research
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Exploring Muslim-friendly Tourism Development: A business stakeholder perspective
2024.04-NowJoint research
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Exploring Preferable Climate Futures for Tourism Development
2024.04-2025.03International research exchanges
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Convincingness of AI-generated Reviews
2024.04-2025.03International research exchanges
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Analyzing and designing augmented reality experiences of customers and employees
2024.01-NowJoint research
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Comparative study on the Cultural Heritage between Kyoto and Melaka
2023.05-2024.03International research exchanges
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Artificial intelligence (AI) and tourist travel intention
2023.04-NowInternational research exchanges
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Exploring Visitor and Stakeholder Needs for DMO Digital Platforms
2023.01-NowInternational research exchanges
KAKENHI
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Muslim-friendly tourism as a pathway for tourism recovery in Japan, post COVID19
2023.04-2026.03Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists Principal investigator
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Post-Pandemic Rural Revitalization: Culture and Tourism for Recovery, Resilience and Regeneration
2022.04-2025.03Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research(C) Co-investigator
Instructor for open lecture, peer review for academic journal, media appearances, etc.
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Lecture
2025.12.08Nara Prefectural University
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理事
2025.05.21-2026.05.20和歌山大学消費生活協同組合
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客員研究員
2025.04.01-2026.03.31国立研究開発法人産業技術総合研究所
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2025.01.17
Center for Advanced Tourism Studies Center (CATS), Hokkaido University
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Moderator and commentator
2024.01.20Joint Student Symposium on Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure Research
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Reviewer
2023.04.01-2024.03.31Wakayama Tourism Review Vol 5
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Reviewer
2022.04.01-2023.03.31Wakayama Tourism Review Vol 4
Committee member history in academic associations, government agencies, municipalities, etc.
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Advisor
2025.08.01-NowWakayama Chamber of Commerce
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Organising Committee Member
2023.04.01-NowMalaysia-Japan Academic Association
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Organising Committee Member
2023.04.01-2024.03.31Joint Student Symposium on Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure Research
Other Social Activities
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Advisor
2026.08.25Fukutarou Japanese Restaurant
Phamplet information on Muslim friendly bento meal