Faculty In The Press
[BU Today] Adventure in Thailand: SHA Undergrads Study Ecotourism
Yunmei (Mabel) Bai, SHA's assistant professor of revenue management, along with eight SHA students, recently embarked on a service-learning trip to Thailand to explore the complexities of global tourism. With the focus on understanding the environmental and social impacts of tourism, the trip provided invaluable insights through hands-on experiences such... More
[BU Today] A Busy First Week for BU President Melissa L. Gilliam
In her first week as Boston University's new president, Melissa L. Gilliam dedicated time to connecting with the university's vibrant community. Among her many stops, she visited the School of Hospitality Administration (SHA), where she engaged with SHA Dean Arun Upneja and the dedicated faculty and staff. Dean Upneja, along... More
[The Travel Leader Podcast] Start Up Mentality with Arun Upneja
In this insightful episode of The Travel Leader podcast, Rachel Vandenberg sits down with Arun Upneja, Dean and Professor of the School of Hospitality Administration at Boston University. Dean Upneja shares his extensive knowledge and experience in the hospitality industry, offering valuable perspectives on driving change, fostering innovation, and developing... More
[BU Today] What BU Foodies Have to Say about The Bear
Excerpt from BU Today: The long-awaited third season of FX’s hit comedy/drama The Bear premieres June 26. In last season’s finale, a stressed-out Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto (2023 Emmy winner Jeremy Allen White) is a colossal jerk to his staff and family and subsequently gets locked in the walk-in fridge during the biggest night... More
[Plate] How Hotels, Restaurateurs, and Diners Reap the Benefits of Pop-up Dining
By Stacey Lastoe Demetri Tsolakis, an adjunct professor at Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration and CEO of Xenia Greek Hospitality, offers valuable insight into the evolving trend of pop-up restaurants in hotels. Tsolakis highlights the creative potential and reduced operational pressure that pop-ups provide, allowing hotels to offer guests fresh... More
[BBC] Why humans are drawn to the ends of the Earth
Despite the risks, costs and environmental concerns of extreme tourism, people are still drawn to potentially dangerous trips – but why? A year ago this week, the world focused its attention on the remote depths of the North Atlantic when the Titan sub, a cramped vessel operated by a video game controller, More
[WalletHub] Is Chase Sapphire Preferred Worth It?
Apostolos Ampountolas, Assistant Professor of Hospitality Finance and Revenue Management at BU School of Hospitality Administration, talked to Wallethub and provided valuable insights into the future of travel rewards credit card bonuses amidst a rebounding travel market post-pandemic. He suggested that while the competitive nature of the credit card industry... More
[Really? no, Really? Podcast] The Billion Dollar Nap: The Rise of Sleep Tourism
In this episode of "Really? no, Really?" hosts Jason Alexander and Peter Tilden delve into the intriguing world of "Sleep Tourism" with Kaushik Vardharajan, an Associate Professor of the Practice and Director of the Real Estate and Innovation and Entrepreneurship Programs at Boston University's School of Hospitality Administration. With millions... More
[BU Today] Choosing between an Airbnb and a Hotel This Summer? Here Are Some Things to Consider
School of Hospitality Administration’s Makarand Mody weighs in on how to decide what’s best for you It’s official: now that summer is here, travel season has arrived. According to Statista, the average American takes two to three vacations a year. That adds up to some serious domestic spending: this year, the US travel... More
[The Washington Post] Strangers are temporarily swapping homes to save cash and live like locals
Almost 20 years after Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz famously traded houses in the romantic comedy “The Holiday,” real-life home swapping is catching on. Brianna Horn spent a leisurely three weeks vacationing in New York City in October 2022 — watching a Halloween dog parade, attending a friend’s movie premiere and... More