Special Features

Prof. Dr. Atif Hassan is a distinguished academic leader in Hospitality Management, currently serving as the Founding Head of the Hospitality Management at Beaconhouse National University. He has earned accolades such as the Faculty Excellence in Teaching and Research Fellowship from George Mason University, USA. His academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Management from Ifugao State University and a Post-Doctorate from AIMST University in Malaysia. he pursued an Executive Masters in Hospitality & Tourism Management from the Metropolitan School of Business Management, UK. He also participated in a Hospitality faculty development program at Sheffield Hallam University, UK. He is a Certified Hospitality Professional CHP® from the Institute of Tourism & Hospitality Professionals in the UK, highlighting his commitment to excellence in this field.

Dr. Atif has held significant roles, including Dean at the Hashoo School of Hospitality Management and Director of the School of Professional Advancement at the University of Management and Technology. His experience spans 23 years in teaching, research, and administration, including international exposure, such as teaching Strategic Management at Kanagawa University in Japan. His areas of expertise encompass Management, Hospitality, Strategy, Organizational Behavior, and Human Resource Management. Additionally, he has contributed to faculty development programs and is an HEC Approved Ph.D. Supervisor, reflecting his dedication to nurturing future leaders in hospitality & management sciences.

Professor Dr. Vikneswaran Nair was appointed President of DISTED College, Penang, in November 2021 and a Professor of Sustainable Tourism at Wawasan Open University. Before returning to Malaysia, he was based in The Bahamas for five years as a Professor and Dean of Graduate Studies and Research at the University of The Bahamas. He was also a consultant to the Tourism Development Corporation in The Bahamas. He was the former Director of Research and Development at Taylor’s University, Malaysia, for 19 years. A consultant with many national and international projects, his exceptional research achievements with extensive publications to his credit have earned him many international and national awards for his work in ecotourism and community-based tourism. He has facilitated many rural tourism research and consultancy projects in Southeast Asia and the Caribbean. He is also currently the Vice President of the Malaysian Ecotourism Association (MEA). His research specialisation is in Sustainable and Responsible Tourism, Rural Tourism, and Community-based tourism.

Dr. Samer Yaghmour serves as Assistant Professor and Head of the Department of Travel and Tourism at King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. With extensive experience in academic leadership, he has held prominent roles, including Vice Dean of Education, contributing significantly to curriculum development and quality assurance processes in tourism education.

Dr. Yaghmour specializes in sustainable tourism management, destination development, and the integration of emerging technologies to enhance visitor experiences. His interdisciplinary research combines marketing, cultural studies, and AI-driven innovations to redefine the future of tourism, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

Through collaborations with international institutions, Dr. Yaghmour’s work focuses on responsible tourism practices, environmental stewardship, and cultural preservation. He has published in peer-reviewed journals and actively participates in global conferences, advocating for innovative solutions to promote sustainable industry growth.

Dr. Yaghmour remains committed to fostering dialogue and actionable strategies for redefining tourism towards a sustainable future, positioning him as a thought leader in industry-focused discussions.

Zahdi is a distinguished leader in higher education, celebrated for advancing universities on the global stage. With a deep expertise in strategic planning for university rankings, he has worked with renowned organizations like QS and Times Higher Education (THE), utilizing data-driven approaches to elevate institutional standings. He has also led national rating initiatives and implemented ISO9001 quality management systems, ensuring operational excellence.
A passionate advocate for global engagement, Zahdi has forged impactful academic collaborations and facilitated student and staff exchanges, significantly enhancing institutional reputations. During his transformative tenure at a leading Kuala Lumpur institution, he spearheaded quality assurance across 13 faculties and international partnerships, driving the university to consistently rank among Malaysia’s top private institutions in QS World University Rankings and regional subject rankings. His leadership in internal audits and ISO9001 compliance established a culture of continuous improvement.
Academically, Zahdi holds a Master of Science in Business Decision Management, a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Business IT with International Business from Coventry University, UK, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Science Research Methods from Cardiff University, UK. He is a certified Professional Technologist (Ts.) by the Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT) and an IRCA Lead Auditor of ISO9001.
In addition to his administrative roles, Zahdi is a dedicated lecturer and consultant, delivering impactful training in quality management, entrepreneurship, and rankings across Malaysia and Southeast Asia. His commitment to excellence continues to inspire institutions and individuals to achieve their fullest potential.

Reginald T Pereira is the President and CEO of Aariana Hospitality International a company that he founded in 2014 together with a group of professionals. He is also an Advisor for St Regis Langkawi and Langkawi International Convention Centre, Malaysia. Reginald is also an Adjunct Professor at Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation.

Prior to this Reginald was the CEO of the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) A graduate of the internationally renowned Les Roches International School of Hotel Management, Switzerland.

With more than 30 years industry experience, both in hotels and education and training, he has been involved in development of the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) in Malaysia for more than 20 years. In recognition of his contribution to AHLEI, Reginald was awarded the AHLEI Lamp of Knowledge in 2007 one of the only 16 in the world to receive this prestigious award. In June 2018, Reginald was awarded an Honorary Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) by the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). This recognition is reserved for a select few and Reginald is only of the four in world to be given this recognition.

In his various capacities, Reginald has also served as Board Member, of Human Resources Development Corporation Of Malaysia, Member of the Hotel Star Rating Panel, under the Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia, Industry Advisory Board Member for Blue Mountains International Hospitality Management School, Australia, KDU University College, Penang Malaysia and KLMU University College Malaysia. Reginald is also an Adjunct Professor for Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation.  In addition, Reginald was also a member of the Global Advisory Committee appointed by the Canadian Tourism Human Resources Council. He has spoken at numerous industry conferences both in Malaysia and globally including, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore among others. Aariana Hospitality International is also a Partner for AHLEI for Malaysia and Cambodia.

For more information, please visit www.aarianahospitality.com

Victor Foo Yip Hon is a distinguished hospitality leader with 44 years of experience in integrated resort, hotel, gaming, and leisure management. He began his career in 1980 as a waiter at Holiday Inn On The Park in Kuala Lumpur, sparking his passion for the hospitality industry. He then pursued a Hotel Management degree at Les Roches in Switzerland (1981-1984), where he gained hands-on experience across all hotel operations, from dishwasher, waiter, bartender, commis de cuisine to night/assistant manager.
Returning to Malaysia, he went on to manage several city hotels. Foo advanced quickly in his career, becoming Resident Manager at Cherating Holiday Villa Beach Resort at just 27 years old. He later managed a country club before joining Genting Highlands Resort in 1994 as Resident Manager. He was promoted through several senior roles, including Vice President of Hotel Operations, where he oversaw the world’s largest hotel, First World Hotel of 7351 rooms, from 2006 to 2017. He also managed five major properties, including Genting Grand, and Maxims marking a milestone as the first-ever Forbes Travel Guide rated hotels in Malaysia in 2018.
Foo’s leadership philosophy emphasizes teamwork, passion for service, and customer satisfaction. He believes in creating a corporate culture that fosters happy employees, which in turn leads to loyal customers. Foo holds several prestigious certifications, including from Cornell University, Harvard Business School, Cornell-Nanyang Institute of Hospitality Management, and Certified Hotel Administrator with American Hotel & Lodging Association. He also contributed to various industry panels and government initiatives, such as Malaysia’s Economic Transformation Program.
Foo was awarded the Hospitality Asia Platinum Award, General Manager of the Year in 2010 and holds a Master in International Hospitality Management with Taylor’s University and University of Toulouse Le Mirail (2011-2012). Foo retired in 2020 after a distinguished career and currently providing hospitality consultancy services. His legacy in the hospitality industry underscores the importance of passion, collaboration, and customer-centric service in achieving business success.