K Thirumaran

Acting Associate Dean For Business & It James Cook University, Australia(Singapore Campus)

Thirumaran possesses more than 15 years of expertise in the tourism and hospitality industry. At James Cook University, Singapore Campus, he teaches and researches in the areas of hospitality and tourism management. He is the originator of the concept of “affinity tourism”, which explores how travelers are drawn to cultural experiences that feel familiar or aligned with their own background and that of their hosts. His research and consultancy portfolio reflects a deep engagement with the evolving dynamics of tourism in the Asia-Pacific region. He contributes to the development of capacity-building training programs in the Maldives. In Cambodia, he collaborated with a prominent hotel to craft strategic marketing initiatives targeting MICE tourism. Additionally, he has contributed valuable insights to regional tourism and hospitality analyses commissioned by the OECD, with a focus on Asia’s growth and sustainability in the sector. These engagements underscore his commitment to aligning academic inquiry with practical industry impact. He welcomes collaboration between industry and academia.