As a doctoral supervisor, I have had the privilege of mentoring scholars engaged in innovative and impactful research across tourism, hospitality, sustainability, management, and interdisciplinary domains. My supervision philosophy emphasizes academic rigor, research ethics, scholarly excellence, and societal relevance.
Successfully Awarded PhD Scholars
Dr Emilda Joseph
Thesis Title: Sustainable Tourism Development through Community-Based Waste Management in Backwater Destinations of Kerala
Year of Completion: 2020
Research Area: Sustainable Tourism, Waste Management, Community-Based Tourism, Environmental Sustainability, and Destination Development
Successfully defended and was awarded the Doctor of Philosophy degree. The research investigated the role of community-based waste management practices in fostering sustainable tourism development in the backwater destinations of Kerala. The study highlighted the importance of stakeholder participation, environmental stewardship, and local community engagement in addressing waste-related challenges while enhancing destination sustainability, visitor experiences, and the long-term resilience of tourism-dependent communities.
Dr Sandhya H
Thesis Title: Destination Resilience and Smart Tourism Ecosystem: A Destination Management Framework for Competitiveness
Year of Completion: 2025
Research Area: Destination Management, Smart Tourism, Destination Resilience, Tourism Competitiveness, and Sustainable Development.
Successfully defended and was awarded the Doctor of Philosophy degree. The research developed a comprehensive destination management framework integrating resilience and smart tourism ecosystem principles to enhance destination competitiveness. The study provided valuable insights into the role of technology, innovation, stakeholder collaboration, and adaptive governance in building resilient and competitive tourism destinations capable of responding effectively to dynamic environmental and market challenges.
Dr Saumya Kapil
Thesis Title: Lake Conservation and Community Well-Being in Udaipur: A Multi-Stakeholder Analysis
Year of Completion: 2026
Research Area: Environmental Conservation, Sustainable Tourism, Community Development, and Stakeholder Management.
Successfully defended and was awarded the Doctor of Philosophy degree. The research investigated the relationship between lake conservation initiatives and community well-being through a multi-stakeholder perspective. The study contributed significant insights into environmental sustainability, participatory governance, community engagement, and sustainable destination development.
Ongoing Doctoral Supervision
Current doctoral scholars are engaged in research addressing contemporary challenges and emerging opportunities in tourism, hospitality, sustainability, and destination development. Their work contributes to both theoretical advancement and practical solutions for industry and society.
Tourism and Socio-Economic Development:
This study examines the role of tourism in fostering economic empowerment among diverse socio-ethnic communities in Mizoram, exploring issues of inclusion, livelihood enhancement, and sustainable regional development.
Cultural Heritage, Gastronomy, and Destination Branding:
This research investigates Karnataka’s rich culinary traditions and gastronomic heritage to develop a destination branding framework that strengthens cultural identity, promotes heritage preservation, and enhances tourism competitiveness.
Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Ecosystems in Hospitality:
This study explores the preparedness of hospitality organizations to adopt intelligent technologies and digital ecosystems, proposing a strategic framework to support innovation, transformation, and long-term organizational competitiveness.
Thought Views 