Assistant Professor Zhang Yunxuan from the Faculty of International Tourism and Management (FITM) at City University of Macau (CityU) recently received the “Best Paper Award” at the “APacCHRIE 2025” Conference, highlighting the University's research strength and international academic influence in the field of hotel and tourism management.

The conference was held from May 27 to 30, 2025, in Chiang Mai, Thailand, attracting experts and scholars from around the world to participate. It was one of the most authoritative and influential international platforms for hospitality, restaurant, and tourism education research in the Asia-Pacific region. During this conference, Assistant Professor Zhang served as the first author on a paper co-authored with scholars from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and Flinders University in Australia, which stood out and won the award.

The research focuses on the key role of inclusive cues within the broader hospitality industry and their alignment in actions. It employs a mixed-method research approach combining thematic analysis and experimental design, offering insightful and practical contributions that received high praise and unanimous recognition from the conference reviewers.

This accolade not only reflects Assistant Professor Zhang’s outstanding performance and research capabilities on the international academia but also highlights the FITM’s achievements in promoting research internationalization and international collaboration. This honor is a testament to the University’s commitment to research innovation and international cooperation over the years.

Going forward, FITM will continue to actively expand its international collaboration network, encourage faculty engagement in high-level research, and align closely with industry development needs. It is dedicated to enhancing CityU’s academic reputation and professional influence in the global hotel and tourism education sector, contributing more wisdom and strength to the advancement of our disciplines and the industry.