NEW YORK — Wall Street’s sell-off kicked back into gear on Thursday, and a U.S. stock market rattled by President Donald Trump’s tariffs and uncertainty about the economy fell sharply. The S&P 500 tumbled 1.8% to resume its slide after a small recovery clawed back some of its sharp drop over recent weeks. The Dow…
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Breadcrumb Trail LinksEntertainmentMoviesTelevisionB.C. film and tourism industries join forces to launch online platform that transforms iconic filming locations into immersive tourism experiences.Published Mar 06, 2025 • Last updated 7 minutes ago • 2 minute readAlexandra Breckenridge and Tim Matheson sit across from Mel’s cabin, a.k.a. Murdo Frazer Cabin in North Vancouver, in a scene from the Netflix series Virgin River. Fans of the show can go to the new website cineventure.ca to check out interactive maps that take you to locations for Virgin River and numerous other TV shows and films that were shot in the Metro Vancouver area. The new website is a collaboration between the B.C. Film Commission, Screen B.C. and six municipalities. Photo by Courtesy of Netflix /PNGReviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.Article contentWhere can you find B.C.’s most iconic filming locations? A new website has launched to help you do just that.Article contentArticle contentThe B.C. Film Commission, Screen B.C. and six municipalities have come together to create cineventure.ca. The digital platform offers both interactive routes and comprehensive trip-planning itineraries that will help users literally walk in the footsteps of some of their most beloved TV and film characters from Metro Vancouver-area-shot hits such as Shogun, Riverdale, When Calls the Heart, Twilight, Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Night Agent, Tracker and Virgin River.The platform launched with 25 free, self-guided interactive routes.Advertisement 2Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Play Video“British Columbia has earned its place as North America’s fourth-largest production hub through decades of excellence in film and television production,” said B.C. Film commissioner Marnie Gee in a statement.“Cineventure now allows us to showcase this legacy in an entirely new way, creating a bridge between our creative industry and the tourism sector.“When visitors explore these locations, they’re not just walking in the footsteps of beloved characters — they’re experiencing firsthand the stunning versatility of our province that has made it a favourite among filmmakers worldwide.”The platform guides visitors through filming locations by an intuitive map enhanced by an augmented reality feature that allows those out-and-about to hold up their phones and see photographs from scenes shot at the exact location they’re visiting.Travel TimePlan your next getaway with Travel Time, featuring travel deals, destinations and gear.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don’t see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Travel Time will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againArticle contentAdvertisement 3Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Article contentTo help plan a perfect Hollywood North trip, the site also offers itineraries and multi-day planning guides complete with suggestions for activities, information about landmarks and restaurants that complement each production’s uniqueness. With the new cineventure.ca platform TV and films fans can visit Vancouver-area locations and use the augmented reality feature on their phones to see photographs from scenes shot at the exact location they’re visiting. Photo by Cineventure.ca /Cineventure.ca“By creating these immersive experiences, we’re not only offering visitors a unique way to explore our region, but also encouraging tourism dispersion across our communities and seasons,” said Chris Peters, executive director of Tourism Burnaby and vice-chair of Cineventure, in a statement. “The diversity of locations featured on Cineventure will help showcase lesser-known destinations while creating sustainable, year-round tourism opportunities throughout British Columbia.”Advertisement 4Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Article contentAccording to Cineventure, each route and itinerary on the site helps users not only connect with their favourite productions, but also foster a deeper understanding of B.C.’s landscapes and cultural heritage through educational elements focused on local and Indigenous culture, and environmental stewardship.“The enthusiasm we’ve seen from both the film and tourism industries has been extraordinary,” said Leslie Wootton, executive director of Screen B.C. and board chair of Cineventure. “This launch is just the beginning. The collaborative spirit between our industries has opened up endless possibilities for creating unique experiences that celebrate B.C.’s role in global entertainment.” Hiroyuki Sanada, centre, is seen her as Yoshii Toranaga in a scene from Shogun. Season 1 of the award-winning series was shot in the Vancouver area and locations from the show are part of the new cineventure.ca online platform that directs fans to the Metro Vancouver-area shooting locations of their favourite TV series and films. Photo by Katie Yu /THE ASSOCIATED PRESSThe site will continue to add more routes in future, expanding into new regions and welcoming more municipalities to the partnership.Advertisement 5Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Article contentOther planned additions include: ‘Easter eggs’ and exclusive content unlockable at specific locations, digital collectibles through geocaching, gamification features and more augmented reality experiences.Recommended from Editorial Virgin River: Benjamin Hollingsworth likes the not-so-clearcut nature of his character Meet the Hearties, the devoted fans of the Langley-shot TV show When Calls the Heart How location scouts find the perfect places to film movies and TV shows in B.C. What to expect when Hollywood North sets up shop in your B.C. neighbourhood B.C. film insiders hopeful for industry upswing, despite growing calls to #StayinLA Article contentShare this article in your social networkComments Join the Conversation Featured Local Savings
STRATTON, VT — What was once a rite of passage on the winter sports calendar has been rediscovered. That is, Stratton in March.Oh, the memories of the 1980s into the 1990s and early 2000s — trying to ski the whole mountain (yes … even World Cup and Upper Downeaster), the gondola, expansion into Kidderbrook, partying to old-school Austrian music by the Stratton Mountain Boys, testing Line twin tips, paying homage to Jake Burton, riding the lift with hometown neighbor Tricia Byrnes and handing a champagne-drenched Shaun White a towel at the U.S. Open, a night at the Stratton Mountain Club goofing in front of celebrity parking spaces, touring the Long House penthouse and ultimately curing the munchies at Rick’s Tavern on Route 30 when heading home. Alas, between demands of the annual Eastern Ski Writers tour and kids coming, the routine took a bit of a hiatus. But for the past two seasons, despite being older and a bit slower, the March schedule includes Stratton again.One huge reason is atmosphere. As conglomerate ownership has taken over the industry, it seems we can so nothing about soaring prices and consumers essentially being forced to purchase mega-passes. With it has come a corporate feel at many snow sports resorts. So a less-than-triumphant return was expected last year on a March visit to Stratton. Well, that wasn’t the case. Stratton still has that traditional feel to it while keeping up with industry trends and demands and that carried over to last Saturday. Maybe it’s the classic feel of the base lodge and maybe it’s familiarity with the trail system. Maybe it’s that spring skiing party atmosphere at the Sun Bowl. With any reasoning, it just feels right and the whole mountain seemed devoid of consumer consternation.”It’s continuity,” Stratton Senior Marketing Director Myra Foster said. She should know with a three-decade tenure there. “So much has changed (in the industry) and what endures is Stratton’s people and the community,” she added. Foster used Byrnes as an example. She competed at Stratton on a world stage, but now comes back with her family. “That’s what it is,” Foster said. “Everyone seems to come back to Stratton.”This year’s March excursion brought the vehicle to the Sun Bowl. For those unfamiliar with that part of Stratton, it’s at the far end of the resort, way to the left when looking at the map. It’s a bit off the beaten path, but that’s the point — and it offers something for everyone. It was the right choice. Though all 99 trails were open with deep bases, the Sun Bowl is made for March. The staff left the trails un-groomed with a coating of fresh snow. Customers brought their dogs. Lunch involved tailgating. It felt exactly like skiing and snowboarding should feel. The green and blue cruisers were smooth and the black trails were fun. That’s not to say the main mountain wasn’t an option, particularly Mike’s Way to West Meadow to what was stellar glade skiing.And the conversations on the gondola were downright hysterical.But that’s Stratton, which should be open to at least the second week in April and possibly Easter weekend. Right before lunch, my daughter was asking what trail to take from the main mountain back to the Sun Bowl. “What’s your favorite?” she asked. “Black Bear,” I responded. As we came off Black Bear, which is actually a blue trail with a variety of terrain, she turned and said, “I think those were the best turns I ever made.” I thought about that for a moment and things kind of came full circle. It definitely was the continuity of Stratton in full effect. And Stratton now has a new fan to go with this old dinosaur._____Chris Dehnel is a Patch editor who has been writing about skiing and snowboarding since 1999. He is a past-president of the Eastern Ski Writers Association and has contributed to several books and magazines about snow sports. His Snow Business column appears periodically during the season.
Dr. Ibrahim Wada, a medical expert, has suggested that advancements in modern medicine could extend the human lifespan by up to 250 years within the next 40 years.
Wada, the founder of Nisa Medical Group, made this assertion while delivering the Second Nimi Dimkpa Briggs Legacy Lecture Series at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) on Thursday.
Speaking as the guest lecturer on the topic ‘The Longevity of Man,’ Wada stated that such a feat could be realised as scientists continued to make rapid progress in medical technology and genetic engineering.
He highlighted the breakthroughs in genetic science that have enabled researchers to create artificial eggs and sperm from human saliva, which could then be used to grow babies in artificial wombs.
“This technology has already produced live rats. It is only a matter of time before humans benefit from similar advancements,” he disclosed.
Wada, an Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Abubakar Tafawa Belewa University, Bauchi, further emphasised the potential of stem cells, artificial organs, and genetic reprogramming in prolonging human life.
According to him, science has now reached a stage where human genetic codes can be understood and manipulated to enhance longevity.
“Recreating stem cells from a person’s genes and reintroducing them into the body can regenerate dead cells and significantly extend lifespan.
“In another 30 to 40 years, it will be normal for individuals to expect to live for 200 or even 250 years.
“This will happen because humanity has now entered the age of computer reprogramming,” he added.
Wada lamented the fact that such advanced medical technologies are not yet available in Nigeria.
He also stressed the importance of regular medical check-ups, healthy eating, regular exercise, and adequate rest in achieving longevity.
“Rest is essential for brain function. So, when it is time to rest, you must allow the brain to rest—no compromise,” Wada advised.
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A groundbreaking vision of the future, Blade Runner has long been hailed as one of the greatest sci-fi films of all time. Now available on Netflix, Ridley Scott’s dystopian masterpiece invites both longtime fans and newcomers into its neon-lit, rain-soaked world – a vision of the future that feels as thought-provoking today as it did upon its release in 1982.Set in a bleak, cyberpunk version of Los Angeles in 2019, Blade Runner follows Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), a former police officer forced out of retirement to track down and eliminate rogue androids known as replicants.These artificial beings, created by the powerful Tyrell Corporation, are nearly indistinguishable from humans but are considered dangerous when they defy their limited lifespan and rebel against their creators.What sets Blade Runner apart from the countless sci-fi films that followed is its deep philosophical core. The movie isn’t just about Deckard hunting replicants – it’s about what it truly means to be human. As the line between man and machine blurs, Blade Runner raises profound questions about identity, memory, and free will.Scott and his team created an immersive, fully realized world filled with towering skyscrapers, oppressive industrial landscapes, and constant rainfall, all illuminated by flickering neon signs and holographic advertisements.Inspired by classic noir films, this vision of the future has influenced everything from The Matrix to Cyberpunk 2077, setting the gold standard for dystopian world-building in cinema.The cast delivers unforgettable performances, including the one from Rutger Hauer as Roy Batty, the leader of the fugitive replicants. His final monologue (known as the Tears in Rain speech) is among the most iconic moments in film history.Ford’s portrayal of Deckard, meanwhile, remains enigmatic, sparking decades of debate over whether the character himself is human or a replicant.While Blade Runner initially struggled at the box office, it gained a cult following and has since been widely recognized as a sci-fi staple.Over the years, multiple versions of the film have been released, with the 2007 Final Cut being regarded as Scott’s definitive vision, removing studio-imposed narration and clarifying key elements of the story.Its influence extends far beyond cinema, shaping the aesthetics and storytelling of modern sci-fi across literature, video games, and television.In 2017, Blade Runner 2049, directed by Denis Villeneuve, continued the story with an equally stunning and introspective sequel starring Ryan Gosling and a returning Ford.Blade Runner: The Final Cut is now available to stream on Netflix.
European TV production giant Banijay (Peaky Blinders, Black Mirror, MasterChef, Survivor) recorded a slight decline in full-year 2024 revenue for both its content production and content distribution businesses on a constant currency basis, Amsterdam stock exchange-listed parent company Banijay Group disclosed on Thursday.
The producer’s corporate parent disclosed that Paris-headquartered Banijay’s annual production revenue dropped 2.8 percent on a constant currency and also a reported basis to 2.6 billion euro ($2.8 billion). Content distribution revenue was down 1.5 percent assuming constant currencies, or up 0.4 percent on a reported basis, at 397 million euro ($429 million).
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However, when including live experiences division Banijay Live, which focuses on the production of institutional ceremonies and live events in the sports, luxury and fashion industries, revenue for the combined content and live experiences division rose 0.5 percent on a constant currency basis and 0.8 percent on a reported basis to 3.3 billion euro ($3.6 billion). Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) grew 6.6 percent to €528 million ($571 million) when assuming constant exchange rates.
Banijay Entertainment is led by CEO Marco Bassetti. “2024 saw Banijay Entertainment, inclusive of Banijay Live, continue to demonstrate its strength and market-leading position in what has been commonly recognized as a challenging market environment,” he said. “The combined business illustrated resilient [revenue], while ramping up its bottom line. A scaled content powerhouse, the last 12-months saw the business rise to be the largest European scripted studio — alongside its long-standing position as a leader in non-scripted (250-plus launches in ’24) — increasing activities in non-English-language and acting as a key partner for streamers (80 non-scripted and scripted launches in ’24), delivering award-winning, high-ranking shows across the board.”
Bassetti added: “Broadening the offering with the likes of Caryn Mandabach Productions, we continued to strategically diversify the portfolio.”
Banijay Entertainment touted such new commissions as Carême on Apple TV+, Return to Las Sabinas on Disney+ and Your Fault (Culpa Tuya) on Prime Video. “Many series attracted large audiences, including Like Water for Chocolate, which ranked first among Spanish-language content on HBO Max and remained in the top 10 most-watched programs in 35 countries during the month following its release,” the company said. “Iconic brands continued to enjoy great success, with a second season of SAS Rogue Heroes commissioned by BBC, with season one already sold to 180 territories globally; a second season of Marie-Antoinette by Canal+/BBC, with season one already sold to 149 territories globally. The group is also working on a Peaky Blinders film adaptation on Netflix.”
Looking at the current year for its content production and distribution division plus live experiences, Banijay forecast revenue growth in the mid-single-digit percentage range. It also said that it was “focused on gaining further market share with streamers, leveraging its traveling formats, bolstering its distribution (of) scripted titles and expanding monetization efforts through an all-new content hub supported by cloud infrastructure and AI technologies.”
And the company predicted: “Given the improved financial situation of the global streamers and the stability of broadcasters, we expect the return of growth in 2025 for the market.”
Concluded Bassetti: “As we start accelerating through 2025, our goal remains simple — maintain our lead and be the number 1 partner for clients, the number 1 home for creatives and the number 1 powerhouse for IP, live events and experiences.”
It’s part of the “Jefferson Rising” $90 million project meant to invigorate the Louisville Medical and Education District.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Jefferson Community and Technical College (JCTC) let community members get a sneak peak inside their newest science center on Thursday.
“The Center for Science and Discovery” is a 40,000 square foot building set to have labs and classrooms for faculty and students interested in STEM, or Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
There will also be a new parking garage and a green space on West Broadway in between First and Second Streets.
It’s part of the “Jefferson Rising” $90 million project meant to invigorate the Louisville Medical and Education District (LOUMED).
“Today, we’re seeing promises take shape,” Jefferson President Ty Handy said. “This is the promise of a brighter future for our students and community, the promise of a reimagined and revitalized downtown as well as the promise of world-class facilities that match the quality of our student body. These commitments are present in every beam, every building and every barrier broken by the Jefferson Rising project.”
At Thursday’s hard hat tour was Elmer Lucille Allen, the 93-year-old retired chemist whose life changed through education.
“I did apply and I was the first African chemist there,” she said. “And I worked there 31 years and retired in 1997. And what I tell everybody, everything that I do now, is still based on chemistry. I’m still a student at UofL,” where she said she was studying ceramics.
Mayor Craig Greenberg also made an appearance, saying this project will help bring people downtown.
“We have incredible momentum in downtown and all across our neighborhood, and this Center for Science and Discovery will make Jefferson and the entire LOUMED campus even more dynamic as more healthcare and stem workers and innovators come together right here, sharing ideas. Innovative, learning, figuring out the future together.”
The science center is made possible through state, college and local funding, as well as gifts from the family of Betty Jones.
It’s expected to open before the fall semester.
When it comes to technology, it might surprise you to discover that women are often behind the creation of the cool gadgets, devices, apps, and services you use every day. While women frequently take a back seat in tech history, the truth is that they have been key players just as long as men have. Today, estimates show that women comprise 26.7 percent (or less) of the industry.
For Women’s History Month, we’re spotlighting seven of the many impressive women who have forged paths, shaped modern life, and are leading us into the future.
Women Forging the Path
While it’s tempting to think of technology only as it relates to computers, it encompasses multiple professions, including all types of engineering roles. Many of those roles contribute heavily to the technology we know and use today, including telephones, computers, televisions, and much more. By the time the 20th century rolled around, a few brave women were bucking the norm around the globe in a variety of ways.
Lillian Gilbreth.
Lillian Moller Gilbreth, for example, was an American mother, psychologist, and industrial engineer who was the first woman engineering professor at Purdue and, in 1921, the first woman elected to the National Academy of Engineering.
Her work helped pioneer the formal development of industrial and organizational psychology (the science of human behavior in the workplace).
Those efforts also laid the foundation for today’s modern management concepts such as ergonomics, work/life balance, and job placement.
Edith Clarke.
Edith Clarke became the first professionally employed woman electrical engineer in 1922, but ten years earlier, she worked as a ‘human computer’ at AT&T. In that role, she performed long and tedious mathematical calculations alongside other brilliant women.
Clarke was also the first woman to earn a Masters of Science in electrical engineering from MIT.
She later supervised computers at General Electric, during which time she invented the Clarke calculator, a graphic calculator that solved line equations ten times faster than previous methods. It was primarily used to solve equations for sending power through electrical transmission lines.
Later in her career, she worked on the design and building of hydroelectric dams. Her expertise helped develop the turbines that generate hydropower at the Hoover Dam today.
Women Shaping Our Modern Life
Our use of modern computers owes a debt to many women. While many are lost to history, others made such huge contributions that they are globally recognized for their work.
Grace Murray Hopper.
Grace Murray Hopper, a mathematics and physics educator pre-World War II, joined the U.S. Naval Reserve (Women’s Reserve), also known as WAVES.
There, she was tasked with programming the Harvard Mark I computer, also known as the Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator, to help the military calculate rocket trajectories, calibrate minesweepers, and create range tables for new guns.
She also coined the term “bug” to refer to computer problems when her team found a moth inside one of the devices.
Hopper later worked on the team that developed the first large-scale, all-electronic computer and created the first computer language compiler. Iterations of that compiler led to the programming language COBOL, which eventually became the most widely used computer language worldwide.
COBOL programs still run on some modern operating systems and form the basis of object-oriented syntaxes used by corporations such as IBM and Fujitsu.
Radia Perlman.
Radia Perlman has been nicknamed “the Mother of the Internet,” and with good reason. She invented the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), which is essential to the operation of network bridges; her innovative ideas are critical to the organization of networks and how they move data.
More recently, she created STP’s successor, TRILL (Transparent Interconnection of Lots of Links), sometimes called “routable internet.”
The internet standard can support multiple paths and routing bridges, which is essential to the continued growth and development of the internet.
She was elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering for her work in internet routing and bridging protocols; she currently holds more than 100 patents and awards related to computer science.
In 1995, 37% of computer scientists were women. Today, it’s just 24%. Source: Girls Who Code.
PHOTO: Girls Who Code
Women Leading Us to a High-Tech Future
It’s not enough to look to the past for inspiration. Sometimes, you just have to be the inspiration that encourages others to take action. These women have launched mini-revolutions that are now helping women of all ages and backgrounds discover that technology can be a great career.
Kimberly Bryant.
Kimberly Bryant is a successful engineer who has led others in numerous technical leadership roles for Fortune 100 companies. She was also the founder and executive director of Black Girls CODE, an organization that helps introduce girls of color to technology and computer programming.
A self-described nerdy girl, she created the organization when she couldn’t find computer programming learning options for her daughter. Black Girls CODE works to close the digital divide while simultaneously addressing the gender gap prevalent in the tech industry, which comprises less than 22 percent of women and only 3 percent of women of color.
Maria Klawe.
Maria Klawe is a prominent computer scientist who is a key advocate for women in STEM fields. Currently the president of Harvey Mudd College, Klawe was formerly the Dean of Engineering and Professor of Computer Science at Princeton and other universities.
She works tirelessly to increase female participation in technology fields; her work on Phoenix Quest, a mathematical computer adventure game designed for kids aged 8 to 13, pays particular attention to the interests of girls.
She co-founded the Computing Research Association’s Commission on the Status of Women in 1990; it is still active today.
Her unshrinking advocacy for women led to her removal from Microsoft’s board of directors after six years of service, but that didn’t stop her from continuing to recruit and retain more women in the field of computer science.
She continues to make research contributions to math and computer science in areas such as human-computer interaction, interactive multimedia for mathematics education, and gender issues in information technology.
Reshma Saujani.
Reshma Saujani is an accomplished financial lawyer and author who saw the gender disparity in computing and resolved to help girls understand the opportunities the field presented. She founded Girls Who Code, an organization with a mission to close the gender gap in technology.
Through a variety of outreach and partnership options, the organization is on track to close the gender gap in entry-level tech jobs by 2030. Of particular note is the fact that half of the girls the organization serves are from historically underrepresented groups, including Black, Latinx, and low-income backgrounds.
Girls Who Code is tackling the decline of women in computer science careers, which reached a high of 37 percent in 1995 but is now hovering at 22 percent.
Delphine Donné.
Delphine Donné didn’t start her career in tech, but despite all the adds, the landed there and has managed to stay in tech for more than two decades, working her way from the bottom to the top. As the VP/General Manager for Logitech’s Personal Workspace Solutions, Donne has been the beneficiary and the purveyor of a culture of inclusion.
Donné is also the mother of two children, so she’s had to work through the challenges of parenthood and navigating a career in technology. To that end, she believes that being a role model for her children and other young women is one of the ways to help build a better future for women in technology.
Ada Lopez.
Ada Lopez has long been an advocate for accessibility in technology, and it shows in her career. From an early start using technology to create individualized learning plans for students when she was teaching middle school children to relying on technology to help her own child overcome dyslexia, Lopez has made accessibility a life mission.
As Lenovo’s head of the Product Diversity Office, Lopez continues to help ensure that technologies that work for everyone are available to people who face accessibility challenges.
Grace Yee.
Grace Yee is a rare soul who has had plenty of support for her career in tech. As Adobe’s Senior Director of Ethical Innovation, she’s spent more than 20 years growing through the ranks of the company. Today, Yee is a strong advocate for STEM and technology.
She exercises her advocacy working with young women in the Girl Scouts to help them see the practicality and possibility of a career in technology.
Break the STEM Barrier: 5 Ways You Can Help More Women Enter Tech Jobs
It’s one thing to know that the world needs more women in technology fields; it’s another to do something about it. If you’d like to help encourage more women to look at STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields as career paths, here are five ways you can help:
Support an organization already working on the issue with your time and/or money, such as Black Girls CODE, Girls Who Code, and The National Girls Collaborative Project.
Work with your alumni association to further women’s STEM careers at your alma mater.
Bring the National Math + Science Initiative to your community to help reach students of all ages.
Become a mentor to encourage girls and women into pursuing and succeeding in STEM careers.
Get involved with the global effort to bring emerging women leaders in STEM from Africa, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East together with their counterparts in the United States as part of a mentorship and exchange program via TechWomen.
Together, we can help more women see STEM as a viable, enjoyable career path.
Are you a woman seeking a chance to network with other women in STEM fields? Check out the Women in Tech Summit, which covers both personal growth topics alongside hardcore tech topics.
When Jinyang Deng, Ph.D., first set foot on Texas A&M University’s campus, he saw more than just a new academic home — he saw an opportunity to push the boundaries of technology-driven tourism research.
Jinyang Deng, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Hospitality, Hotel Management and Tourism. His research focuses on rural tourism, ecotourism, tourism planning, urban forests, the recreation economy and geographical information systems (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)
An expert in sustainable tourism, Deng is pioneering new ways to enhance visitor experiences while promoting economic and environmental sustainability.
As a new associate professor in the Department of Hospitality, Hotel Management and Tourism in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Bryan-College Station, Deng is integrating cutting-edge artificial intelligence, AI, and augmented reality, AR, applications into tourism research, positioning Texas A&M at the forefront of innovation in the field.
“Texas A&M’s strong reputation for research, innovation and industry collaboration was a major draw for me,” Deng said. “The university’s emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement aligns well with my experience.”
Deng’s journey to Texas A&M has taken him across continents. A former professor at West Virginia University, he developed groundbreaking research using geographic information systems, GIS, and data analytics to measure tourism’s effects on local economies and natural resources. His passion for sustainable tourism has taken him to rural communities and protected areas, where he’s worked to balance tourism growth with conservation efforts.
But it’s his work at the intersection of AI, AR and hospitality that’s making waves.
Using AI and AR in menu development
One of Deng’s key initiatives, Menu 2 Meal, uses augmented reality and artificial intelligence to create a bilingual menu mobile application that offers nutrition information and personalized diet recommendations for Hispanic users. This project aims to improve public health while driving innovation in food service technology.
“The Hispanic population has become the largest ethnic minority group in the United States, particularly in Texas,” Deng said. “This demographic shift has significant implications across various aspects of society, including health care, food service and policy development.”
By leveraging AI and AR, Deng and his colleagues are transforming how consumers interact with the hospitality industry. His research perfectly matches the department’s strength in resort and event management, sustainability and tourism economics. The international and academic environment at Texas A&M also provides an ideal setting for his interdisciplinary approach to research and teaching, Deng said.
“Dr. Deng brings scholarly experience of researching and teaching internationally (China, Australia and Canada) and in the USA,” said Brian King, Ph.D., head of the Department of Hospitality, Hotel Management and Tourism. “His research interests are a great fit for our department’s proud legacy and bright future and include restaurants, sustainable tourism and the recreation economy.”
Preparing students for the future
Beyond research, Deng is committed to preparing the next generation of tourism leaders. In his sustainability-focused course, he challenges students to think critically about the future of the industry, using project-based learning and real-world applications to equip them with the skills needed for careers in hospitality and tourism.
Deng envisions Texas A&M as a leader in sustainable tourism research and education. By integrating AI and AR with hospitality, food and environmental studies, he hopes to shape policies and practices that benefit tourism and the planet.