Destination, Services and Tourism Emerging Research Network (DeSTERN)
Exploring how data, AI and new technologies are changing destinations, services and tourism experiences.
About the network
The Destination, Service and Tourism Emerging Research Network (DeSTERN) brings together researchers to explore how destinations, services and tourism experiences are evolving in a rapidly changing global environment.
Our interdisciplinary network combines expertise in marketing, tourism, service management, information systems, GIS, finance, transport, and the creative and cultural industries.
Data-driven destination resilience
We investigate how tourism destinations can use data analytics, AI and predictive modelling to anticipate disruption, respond to change and recover effectively.
AI and service experience transformation
We explore how generative AI and service automation are reshaping tourism and service experiences, including their implications for trust, value co-creation, consumer wellbeing and ethics.
Who we are
The network brings together researchers from across Newcastle University, alongside national and international collaborators with expertise in destination, service and tourism research.
Conveners
Convenor: Dr Weizheng Zhang
Co-convenor: Professor Stuart Barnes
Newcastle University members
Newcastle University Business School
- Professor Natalia Yannopoulou
- Professor Charles Dennis
- Dr Qionglei Yu
- Dr Josephine Go Jefferies
- Dr Paul Liu
- Dr Yuanyi Xu
- Dr Mengyun (Mia) Hu
- Dr Vu Trinh
- Will Wu (PhD student)
- Tim Pu (PhD student)
School of Arts and Cultures
- Dr Matthew Ord
- Dr Adam Behr
- Dr Yimeng Liu
External members
University of Surrey
Professor Gang Li – Professor in Tourism Economics, Editor in Chief, Annals of Tourism Research (ABS 4), Surrey Business School
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Dr Richard T.R. Qiu – Associate Professor in Tourism and Hospitality Management
Monash University
Dr Katie Xu – Lecturer in Marketing
University of East Anglia
Dr Jacky Cheah – Associate Professor in Marketing, Head of Research (Marketing department), Norwich Business School
University of Essex
Dr Yee-Shan Chang – Lecturer in Tourism Marketing, Edge Hotel School
For enquiries about membership, collaboration or research activities, please contact:
Dr Weizheng Zhang
ERN Convenor
weizheng.zhang@newcastle.ac.uk