Ian Yeoman

Victoria University of Wellington, Stenden University of Applied Sciences

Papers

Total Citations

197

H-Index

About

Ian Yeoman is a leading futurist and scholar whose work bridges tourism, technology, and societal change. His research centers on scenario planning and the long-term evolution of tourism, exploring how demographic shifts, technological disruption, and cultural trends will reshape travel and hospitality. Yeoman’s most cited paper, “Robots, men and sex tourism” (2011, 130 citations), provocatively examines the intersection of robotics, human desire, and tourism ethics, establishing him as a bold thinker unafraid of controversial topics. His seminal book *2050 – Tomorrow’s Tourism* (2012, 49 citations) offers a comprehensive vision of the global tourism economy, forecasting shifts in power, sustainability, and consumer behavior, with forewords by leading industry figures. More recently, his work “The future of tourism work: is technology a substitute for labour supply?” (2024, 16 citations) uses New Zealand as a case study to tackle pressing questions about automation and employment. Yeoman’s impact lies in his ability to make futures thinking accessible and actionable, influencing policymakers, educators, and industry leaders. His imaginative yet rigorous approach—evident in pieces like “Imagine staying in a Shanghai hotel bedroom in 2050?”—inspires students and researchers to envision tourism beyond the present, cementing his role as a visionary in the field.