Dr Ian Yeoman is Professor of Disruption, Innovation & New Phenomena at Hotel Management School Leeuwarden. His research focuses on the disruptive futures of hospitality and tourism. Drawing on his expertise in futures studies, scenario planning and disruptive innovation, he explores how the sector may evolve, with a particular focus on the hotel of the future. His research spans a wide range of topics, including the future of hotel bedrooms, cuisine, emerging and yet-to-be invented technologies, luxury futures, the future of work, and hotel investment.
Ian is a leading international scholar, recognised as one of the world's top 2% scientists according to Stanford University/Elsevier impact ranking. He is co-editor of the Journal of Tourism Futures, Editor of the Revenue & Pricing Management, and Series Editor of Channelview's Future of Tourism book series. Ian is the author or editor of more than 20 books, including The Future of Hotels, 2075: The Future of Food Tourism, and the Future of Tourism Through The Lens.
As professor within the Disruption, Innovation & New Phenomena (DINP) professorship, Ian leads a team of researchers exploring a range of topics, including alternative accommodation, revenue management, smart hotels, technology enabled experiences, hotel operational systems, and the future of food and beverage menus.
He combines trend analysis, scenario thinking, and strategic analysis to explore possible future developments and their impact on the sector. Disruption lies at the heart of Ian’s research. Rather than focusing solely on the present, he examines long-term futures and the transformation of industries. His forward-looking approach anticipated the potential impact of a pandemic as early as 2006, as well as the transformative impact of AI on tourism in 2012. This work explored scenarios that would later become particularly relevant, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of AI in tourism.
Ian also works internationally with researchers, governments, and other organisations on issues relating to the future of hospitality and tourism. Through research, education and international collaboration, he brings together diverse perspectives and contributes to forward-thinking approaches in the hospitality sector.
Professorship Disruption, Innovation & New Phenomena
Disruption, Innovation & New Phenomena explores how disruptions, innovations and emerging developments are shaping the future of hospitality and tourism. The research group explores possible future scenarios and helps the sector prepare for change and uncertainty.
Projects
Most recent publications
Research Papers
- Gharibi, N. Yeoman, I. Reichenberger, I & Faizan, A. 2026. Virtual Journeys, Real Emotions: Investigating Awe in VR Tourism Experiences. Annals of Tourism Research: Empirical Insights. Volume 7 Number 1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annale.2026.100214
- Yeoman, I & McMahon-Beattie, U. 2026. Is Technology a Substitute for Labour? A Case Study of New Zealand Tourism Industry. Current Issues in Tourism Vol 29 No 7, pp.1394–1412. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2024.2398069
- Yeoman, I., & McMahon-Beattie, U. (2025). Future Past of Tourism: Critical Reflection’s on the Rise of Tourism Futures. Tourism Geographies, 27(3–4), 476–492. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616688.2023.2270937
- Postma, A. & Yeoman, I. 2024. The Future of Tourism: Interview with Ian Yeoman about the Journal of Tourism Futures, Journal of Tourism Futures, Vol. 10 No. 3, pp. 385-396. https://doi.org/10.1108/JTF-09-2024-0199
Books
- Yeoman, I. & McMahon-Beattie, U (Eds) The Future of Tourism Through the Photographic Lens. Channelview, Bristol 2026
- Assen, H. Cavagnaro, E. Losekoot, E & Yeoman, I. (Eds) The Future of Hotels. Channelview, Bristol 2025
- Kim, S. McMahon-Beattie, U. Park, E & Yeoman, I. (Eds) 2075: The Future(s) of Food Tourism. Channelview, Bristol 2025
- Postma, A. Hartman, S & Yeoman, I. Scenario Planning and Tourism Futures: Theory Building, Methodologies & Case Studies. Channelview, Bristol 2024
- Yeoman, I. McMahon-Beattie & Sigala, M. (Eds) Science Fiction, Disruption and Tourism. Channelview, Bristol 2022
Keynotes
- Yeoman, I. Navigating the Future of Tourism in an Era of AI Intelligence and Uncertainties. UN Tourism – World Tourism Conference. Malek. 26 September 2025
- Yeoman, I. Lets Take the Robot out the Human. ITB Convention, Berlin. 6 March 2025
- Yeoman, I. The Role of Science Fiction in Tourism Futures Research. Booking.com. 27 March 2017
In the media
- What a hotel stay could look like in 2025
Article on The Telegraph (UK)