Nitte Institute of Hospitality Services hosts International Research Forum on Hospitality & Tourism 2026

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, January 28, 2026: The Nitte Institute of Hospitality Services (NIHS) successfully hosted the NIHS International Research Forum on Hospitality & Tourism (NIRFHT 2026) on January 23 and 24, bringing together academicians, researchers, industry professionals and students from across the globe.

The two-day international forum was organised on the theme “Future Scape 2026 – Empowering Hospitality through AI and Smart Tech,” focusing on the growing role of artificial intelligence and smart technologies in the hospitality and tourism sector.

The inaugural session began with a traditional Saraswati Vandana, followed by the ceremonial lighting of the lamp. Welcoming the gathering, Mr. Donald James D’Souza highlighted the increasing relevance of AI and smart technologies in shaping the future of hospitality and tourism.

Dr. M. S. Moodithaya, Vice-Chancellor of Nitte University, delivered the inaugural address, stressing the importance of innovation, digital transformation and research-driven education. Dr. Dhiraj Pathak, Conference Chairperson, introduced the conference theme and explained how AI and smart technologies are redefining guest experience, operational efficiency and sustainability.

The forum featured international keynote speakers including Prof. Dipra Jha from Washington State University and Dr. Amit Sharma from Penn State University, USA, who shared global perspectives on AI-driven transformation in hospitality and tourism. A special keynote on AI for sustainable hospitality was delivered by Dr. Sandiliyan, Principal of the Army Institute of Hotel Management & Catering Technology, Bengaluru. An industry session by Mr. Anirudh Roy, Senior General Manager, Vivanta by Taj, Bengaluru, focused on reskilling the hospitality workforce for an AI-driven future.

A panel discussion on “AI in Hospitality: From Automation to Human Augmentation” generated discussions on technology, ethics and human-machine collaboration. The forum also saw active participation in technical sessions, with over 26 research papers presented in both online and offline modes. A hands-on workshop on Indigenous Cuisine added an experiential component to the programme.

The second day coincided with National Tourism Day celebrations and featured an address by Ms. Shalet Pinto, Chairperson of the Karnataka Ecotourism Development Board, who emphasised sustainable tourism and eco-tourism initiatives.

The forum concluded with a vote of thanks, marking the successful culmination of NIRFHT 2026, which strengthened academic–industry collaboration and promoted sustainable, technology-driven tourism practices.