Department of Exhibition Economy and Management

Aug 2024 – the present, Associate Professor, School of Tourism Management, South China Normal University 

Jan 2024 – Jul 2024, Researcher, School of Tourism Management, South China Normal University 

Mar 2021 – Dec 2023, Associate Researcher, School of Tourism Management, South China Normal University 

Undergraduate Courses:

Project Management

Exhibition Planning and Management

Introduction to Event

Academic Projects

1. Hosted the 2022 National Natural Science Fund project “The interaction of virtual buzz and global buzz: Research on Knowledge Diffusion at Business Events under the Coupling of Virtual Space and Physical Space——From the Perspective of Temporary” (2022 - 2024), ongoing.

2. Participated in “Interactions of livelihood-energy-food-water for tourism-driven sustainable development: processes, mechanisms and multi-scaled effects” Major International (Regional) Joint Research Project, National Natural Science Foundation of China (2020-2024) , ongoing.

3. “Research on the Application of Social Media in Destination Marketing: A Perspective from Travel-Related Electronic Word of Mouth Dissemination” Research Fund of National Tourism Bureau (2014-2015).

Social Consultant Projects (work as member or associate)

1. Canton Fair Green Booth Award Consultation Project (2021, 2023-2024), funded by China Foreign Trade Center.

2. Assessment of the Economic Stimulus Effect of the Exhibition Industry in Guangzhou City (2023), funded by Guangzhou Municipal Bureau of Commerce.

3. Reassessment on Danxia Mountain UNESCO Global Geopark (2023), funded by Danxiashan Administrative Committee, Shaoguan City.

4. Research on the impacts of China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition (China Airshow) (2022), funded by China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition.

5. Foshan Nanhai District Dalit Town Cultural Radio Television Tourism Sports 14th Five-Year Plan (2022), funded by the Government of Dali District, Foshan.

6. Research on the development of the hot spring industry, marketing, and product development strategies (2018), funded by former National Tourism Bureau.

7. Evaluation on the effect of Green Development of the Canton Fair (2016-2017), funded by China Foreign Trade Center.

8. Research on the impacts of China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition (China Airshow) (2016), funded by China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition.

9. Research on Guangzhou Haizhu District Guangzhou-Hong Kong-Macao Exhibition Industry Cooperation Experimental Zone Strategy (2013-2014), funded by the Government of Haizhu District, Guangzhou.

English Journal Publications

1. Zhai, X., Zhong, D.*, Luo, Q., & Lu, P. (2024). EVENTS AS THERAPY: Connecting the liminal and everyday field to enhance mental wellness in urban destinations. Annals of Tourism Research, 109, 103825.

2. Liu, J., Zhong, D. *, Liu, J., & Liao, Z. (2023). B&B accommodation entrepreneurship in rural China: How does embeddedness make a difference?. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 56, 284-294.

3. Zhong, D., Bao, J. *, & Jago, L. (2021). How much do we “pay” for a mega-event? A valuation of traffic-related social costs. Journal of Destination Marketing & Management, 22, 100666.

4. Zhong, D., Luo, Q.*, & Chen, W. (2021). Green governance: understanding the greening of a leading business event from the perspective of value chain governance. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 29:11-12, 1894-1912.

5. Zhai, X., Zhong, D., & Luo, Q.* (2019). Turn it around in crisis communication: an ABM approach. Annals of Tourism Research, 79, 102807.

6. Zhong, D., & Luo, Q.* (2018). Knowledge diffusion at business events: the mechanism. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 71, 111-119.

7. Luo, Q., & Zhong, D.* (2016). Knowledge diffusion at business events: a case study. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 55, 132-141.

8. Luo, Q.*, & Zhong, D. (2015). Using social network analysis to explain communication characteristics of travel-related electronic word-of-mouth on social networking sites. Tourism Management, 46, 274-282. (High Cited Research in 2020-2021, 2023).

Chinese Journal Publications

1. Zhai, X., Zhong, D.*, & Luo, Q. (2024). Mega-event cultural leverage: A study on the field configuring event at Airshow China and its effects. Tourism Science, online.

2. Zhong, D., Lu, Y., & Luo, Q.* (2023). From Ceramic Production Center to Cultural Creative Destination: Contemporary Revival and Innovation of Traditional Handicraft in Jingdezhen from a Knowledge Perspective. Tourism Tribune, online.

3. Zhong, D., Li, Z., & Luo, Q.* (2023). The media mechanism of agricultural shows in promoting the consumption of organic agricultural products and its effect: An explanation based on the adoption process mode. Tourism Tribune, 2023, 38(11): 68-79.

Selected Monographs/Textbook

1. Zhong, Dixi, sole author, “Knowledge Diffusion at Trade Fair from a Perspective of Temporary Cluster: Mechanism, Network and Effect” Chongqing University Press, ISBN 978-7-5689-4043-6, 2023.

2. Luo, Qiuju. & Zhong, Dixi (Associate editor), “The Planning and Operation of Exhibition” Higher Education Press, ISBN 978-7-5689-4043-6, 2023.

3. Goldblatt, J. (2017). Special Event: A new generation and the next frontier. (Luo, Q., Zhong, D., & Zheng, D., Trans.). Beijing: China Renmin University Press. (Original work published 2010)

Book Chapters

4. Luo, Q., Qin, X., & Zhong, D. (2024). Going green: A longitudinal study on the China Import and Export (Canton) Fair. In The Routledge Handbook of Events and Sustainability (pp. 149-160). Routledge.

5. Zhong, D., & Luo, Q. Guangzhou Pazhou CBD: Practice and Experience Reference of Exhibition Economy Promoting Consumption Development. In China Business Center District Development Report (pp. 268-279). Social Science Academy Press (China).

Advisors for the governments

1. Guangzhou (Haizhu) Convention Industry Alliance Think Tank Expert

Ad-hoc Reviewer

1. Tourism Tribune

2. Tourism Forum

3. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management

4. Tourism Geography

5. Cities