Staff from the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies (FHTS) presented their research at the Theveli International Conference 2026, held at The Maldives National University from 17–19 August 2026.

Five FHTS staff members contributed to four paper presentations covering areas including hospitality education and technology, social media and tourism, and the tourism workforce:

• Aminath Zaina and Ismail Shiyar – Exploring the Impacts of Redundancy on the Resort Workforce of the Maldives due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Hussain Naseer – Integrating Hospitality Software Applications in Tourism and Hospitality Higher Education: A Systematic Literature Review
• Zuneena Habeeb – Social Media Influencers Influence – A Mixed Method Study to Understand Social Media Influencers
• Aminath Zaina – Consuming Tourism Tragedy in the Age of Social Media

Through their presentations, FHTS staff shared their research findings with a wider audience and contributed to researchand knowledge sharing beyond the Faculty. The conference also provided opportunities to receive feedback, exchange ideas, and engage with researchers and professionals working across different fields.

Participation in the conference supported the professional development of FHTS staff by providing opportunities for continued learning and exposure to current research and industry developments. The knowledge and perspectives gained through such scholarly engagement can also contribute to teaching and academic practice, supporting quality educationand lifelong learning within the Faculty.

The conference further created opportunities for collaboration and professional connections with other researchers and industry professionals. These interactions encouraged the exchange of research ideas and provided opportunities to explore future research collaboration.

By participating in research conferences such as Theveli, FHTS continues to strengthen its research culture while promoting innovation, knowledge sharing, and collaboration in areas relevant to tourism, hospitality, education, and the wider industry.