Dr. Marcus L. Stephenson read for his doctorate in the field of 'social tourism' at Manchester Metropolitan University. He has published extensively in areas relating to tourism, race, ethnicity and culture. Dr. Stephenson studied the sociological dimensions of tourism since 1980s, and has conducted a range of ethnographic methodologies in the United Kingdom, Caribbean, East Africa, and the Middle East. He is chair of research for Middlesex University Dubai (UAE) and heads the tourism management degree programs. His current research interests concern citizenship issues in tourism, tourism development in the United Arab Emirates, Islamic hospitality and tourism, and employment and nationalization strategies in the tourism industries. Dr. Stephenson's co-authored paper: “Islamic hospitality in the UAE: Indigenization of Products and Human Capital,” which was published in the Journal of Islamic Marketing (2010), was a 'Highly Commended Award Winner' at the Emerald Literati Awards for Excellence, 2011.

About Workshops

Useful Information

January 5, 2025 : Deadline to apply as a paper presenter
May 31, 2025 : Deadline paper submission
July 22-24, 2025: Gulf Research Meeting (GRM)
Note there is no deadline to register as a listening participant. However, seats are limited in each workshop and registration for non-paper presenters will be allowed on a space available basis.