KAHTEA Weekly

Dear KAHTEA Members,

Happy Friday!

Welcome to another edition of KAHTEA Weekly!

This week, we are excited to feature Dr. Jinwon Kim from the University of Florida, who shares his insights on the future of the International Journal of Tourism Sciences (IJTS) and his recent research on the relationship between death and travel.

We also have an exciting October Education Session coming up next week. Don’t miss it!

? Member Spotlight: Dr. Jinwon Kim

This week, we are delighted to feature Dr. Jinwon Kim, whose research brings together tourism, geography, and psychology to better understand how people interact with places and environments.

? Shaping the Future of IJTS

As Co-Editor of IJTS, Dr. Kim is passionate about connecting scholars and expanding the journal’s international reach.

He shares an ambitious vision for the journal, including achieving indexing in KCI within one year, Scopus within three years, and SSCI within five years.

Beyond these milestones, he hopes IJTS will become a platform for innovative and critical scholarship.

“I hope IJTS will become a journal that provides an open and supportive platform for exploring these perspectives, encouraging critical dialogue, and broadening our understanding of tourism.”

He particularly encourages research that challenges established theories, explores emerging tourism phenomena, and examines the often-overlooked darker sides of tourism.

? Research Highlight: Death and Travel

Dr. Kim recently published “Death and Travel: A Geo-Psychological Perspective” in the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management.

Inspired partly by the film Crying Out Love, in the Center of the World, the study explores how awareness of mortality influences travel intentions.

One key takeaway? Our travel decisions are shaped not only by who we are psychologically, but also by where we live.

The findings suggest that tourism destinations could benefit from marketing and management strategies that consider both psychological responses and local geographical contexts.

Looking ahead, Dr. Kim plans to integrate GeoAI, spatial structural equation modeling, and experimental methods to better understand how future travel behaviors may evolve.

? Read the publication:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2026.101447

A big thank you to Dr. Kim for sharing his insights and contributing to our KAHTEA community.

? Upcoming October Education Session

Effective Teaching in Hospitality & Tourism

Join us for an engaging session focused on effective teaching practices, classroom experiences, and innovative approaches to hospitality and tourism education.

Featured Speakers:

• Dr. Jihye (Ellie) Min, Associate Professor, University of North Texas
• Dr. Hyounae (Kelly) Min, Associate Professor, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
• Dr. Jaesung An, Assistant Professor, California State University, East Bay

Moderator: Dr. Hhye Won Shin, Assistant Professor, The University of Alabama

Whether you’re an experienced educator or just beginning your teaching journey, this is a wonderful opportunity to exchange ideas and learn from fellow scholars. Check the attached flyer!

? Learn more:

Monthly Education Program

We hope to see you there!

? Stay Connected with KAHTEA

Thank you for being part of our growing community! We look forward to continuing to share member achievements, research insights, and opportunities to connect.

Stay Connected with KAHTEA!

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Stay tuned for more updates in next week’s KAHTEA Weekly!