Jangsucheong Yanolja Research Inaugural Director's Ambition
Yanolja Establishes Yanolja Research with Purdue University and Kyung Hee University
"Korea's First Private Travel Research Center"
Yanolja has established the first private research center specializing in the travel industry in Korea to strengthen the global competitiveness of 'K-Tourism' based on data and digital transformation (DX).
Jang Su-cheong, Director of Yanolja Research, is explaining future operational plans at the Yanolja Research founding anniversary press conference held on the 16th at Chosun Palace Seoul Gangnam. [Photo by Yanolja]
On the 16th, Yanolja held the launch ceremony of the independent research corporation 'Yanolja Research' at the Chosun Palace Seoul Gangnam and announced the appointment of Professor Jang Su-cheong from Purdue University in the U.S. as the inaugural director.
Director Jang said, "The global digital transformation trend has opened an opportunity for the domestic travel industry, which possesses excellent ICT infrastructure and technological capabilities, to lead the global market," adding, "We will nurture Yanolja Research as a hub for the travel industry to enhance the global competitiveness of K-Tourism and contribute to making Korea a 'tourism powerhouse.'
He is an industry expert who earned a Ph.D. in Hotel and Tourism Management from Purdue University and has served as the inaugural director of the Korea Foodservice Industry Research Institute and president of the Korea Foodservice Industry Policy Association. He has published over 250 academic papers in internationally top-ranked SSCI journals, and his papers have been cited more than 33,000 times as of last month according to Google Scholar, ranking 10th worldwide in the tourism field and 4th in hospitality management.
Yanolja Research will collaborate with Purdue University's CHRIBA and Kyung Hee University's H&T Analytics Center. Based on Yanolja's leisure-related records and high-quality data accumulated through operating a travel platform, Purdue University and Kyung Hee University will contribute their research capabilities and academic networks to support the research.
The core task is to conduct research from the perspectives of both suppliers and consumers throughout the entire travel process, from travel planning to transportation, accommodation, dining, entertainment, culture, and sharing post-travel experiences. Policies of various governments and international organizations related to the travel industry are also major research topics. Research data and information will be provided free of charge to travel and tourism companies, domestic and international researchers, international organizations, central and local governments, and academia.
Additionally, Yanolja Research plans to develop travel industry indicators based on data and publish quarterly trend reports. It will also build a structured database using big data and make it accessible for use in academia and industry. Forums, regular seminars, workshops, and global conferences targeting experts in the travel, tourism, and entertainment industries will also be held.
Yanolja CEO Bae Bo-chan said, "Yanolja Research is a project that has been prepared over a long period to contribute to the domestic travel industry and, ultimately, national economic development," adding, "As an independent research institution, we will spare no effort to conduct public-interest research and provide it to various stakeholders."
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