Empowering Young Researchers: The Success of Special Track “New Horizons in Tourism Management” at ICET 2026

By IATELS Board Business Management, Education, IATELS Conferences education, iatels, iatels conference, icet, special track, tourism management, young researchers 0 Comments

Date: May 24, 2026

Category: Conference Highlights / ICET 2026 Updates

Event: 8th International Conference on Education and Technology (ICET 2026)

One of the foundational pillars of the International Association for Technology, Education and Language Studies (IATELS) is our commitment to nurturing the next generation of global scholars. At our conferences, we believe that academic forums should not merely be a destination for established experts, but a welcoming, inspiring launchpad for young researchers discovering their professional voices.

This vision was perfectly realized during ICET 2026 on Thursday, April 30, 2026, with the execution of Special Topic Track 10: “New Horizons in Tourism Management – Rethinking the Field through AI-Based Applications.” —

A Global Forum Led by Academic Excellence

Conducted virtually between 10:00 and 12:00 (Istanbul Time), this highly anticipated special track was chaired by the distinguished Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nil GÖKSEL from Anadolu University (Eskişehir, Türkiye).

Under her expert guidance and encouraging mentorship, the session brought together an exceptional group of international students from Central Asia and Southeast Asia.

The focus of the track was highly innovative, challenging the participants to critically analyze how contemporary artificial intelligence solutions, machine learning, and digital ecosystems are reshaping the global hospitality, travel, and tourism management sectors.

A Milestone Achievement: First Oral Presentation Experiences

What made this session truly extraordinary was that for all the participating student presenters, this marked their very first oral presentation experience at an international academic conference.

Stepping onto an international stage can be a daunting milestone, yet each speaker delivered their research with remarkable analytical clarity, poise, and professional dedication.

The presentations explored the intersection of tourism management and user-centered digital applications:

Aiym BATIKHANOVA (Kazakhstan) Research Focus: Optimizing traveler logistics and itinerary management via TripIt.
Benazir IBRAIMOVA (Kyrgyzstan) Research Focus: Decoding consumer trust, algorithmic reviews, and big data impact on Tripadvisor.
Maryam MAKHKAMOVA (Tajikistan) Research Focus: Cultural heritage preservation and localized digital storytelling through Culture Trip.
Belva Lee Xevinov ERLIANTO (Indonesia) Research Focus: Examining user experience (UX) and peer-to-peer travel networking architectures on Roamy Travel.
Aktan Bolotovich DUISHEKEEV (Kyrgyzstan) Research Focus: Analyzing booking behavioral dynamics and dynamic pricing models within Booking.com.
Leila IULDASHEVA (Kyrgyzstan) Research Focus: Investigating global distribution systems (GDS) and enterprise-level AI scaling in aviation and travel via Amadeus.

Reflections from the IATELS Board

The presentations sparked a vibrant, collaborative discussion among the external evaluators and the international audience. The students were highly praised not only for their technical insights into the applications but also for their ability to articulate their ideas fluently in an international academic setting.

Commenting on the success of the track, the IATELS Organizing Committee shared:

“To see these bright young minds from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Indonesia come together to debate the future of AI in tourism is exactly why IATELS exists. Providing a safe, encouraging, yet academically rigorous space for a researcher’s first public speech is a responsibility we take very seriously. We are incredibly proud of their courage and the high quality of their work. This is just the beginning of their long, impactful academic journeys.”

IATELS extends its deepest gratitude to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nil GÖKSEL for her exceptional moderation and mentorship during this track, and we warmly congratulate all our young presenters. You have officially stepped into the international scholarly community, and we look forward to seeing your future contributions alter the landscapes of education, technology, and management!

Did you attend Special Track 10? Share your congratulations and feedback for our student presenters in the comments section below or forward your reflections to the committee at patme.iatels@gmail.com.