Spirit of Hospitality
Touring the Palate Palette: Agritourism as Art and Rural Development in Ghana's Volta Region
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Nathan Crook, D. Rose Elder
Agritourism is a form of rural tourism that focuses on rural intangible culture. Typically, tourism specialists plan a collection of adventures and activities to make their area a destination and capture much needed currency from tourist spending but frequently overlook the value of the agricultural sector. This presentation outlines our collaborative efforts with local producers in Ghana’s Volta Region to develop an agritourism trail as an artistic performance of local food traditions, culture, and cuisine. From the sight of the delicate pinks of the cocoa blossom to the tangy taste of the slimy flesh surrounding the cocoa bean, the senses hum. Saunterers on the Asogli Agritourism Trail encounter traditional production of cocoa, as well as coffee, palm, groundnuts, casava, honey, rice, cowpeas, and more. Through agritourism, food traditions become an artistic performance where participants engage with producers in creating and experiencing foods, colors, textures, flavors, aromas in a vivid display as varied as a painter’s palette. Self-identified representative foods are recognized as culinary strengths of the community. They provide a way to express oneself and their community identity, to be seen, to be recognized, and to be appreciated. At an intersection of agriculture, cuisine, and tourism, agritourism grants access to communities that are not typically considered touristic destinations where farmers generously share their lived experience and Intangible Cultural Heritage. The experience has the power to create an artistic output that engages, humanizes, and values traditional peoples and products.
Hospitality Pedagogy: Incorporating Aspects of Chinese Hospitality in the Language and Culture Curriculum
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Sue Mei Wu
Hospitality plays a large role in Chinese culture. Not only is it important to be a good host, but also to be a polite guest. These hospitality behaviors show kindness and appreciation to others, and also provide ways to give and save face and nurture relationships. Learning the subtleties of being a good host and polite guest can lead to better interpersonal interactions and intercultural understanding. For language learners, topics related to hospitality, table manners and etiquette are among the most motivating and interesting cultural artifacts. Investigating these topics can not only enhance learners’ language skills, but also inspire their critical thinking, inclusive thinking and respect for others. This paper explores an innovative way to incorporate the Chinese hospitality theme into the curriculum with digitalized materials that combine instructor presentation of aspects of Chinese hospitality with hands-on immersive experiential learning experiences, culminating with the students applying and showcasing their learning through community engagement. This process helps make the learning experience more practical, meaningful and impactful. Next, some examples of student participation in hospitality cultural events, community collaborative activities, or other community engagements are described. Finally, the paper provides some examples of how AI tools can be utilized in the hospitality curriculum. Not only for educators of Chinese, the study should also be useful for educators in other fields who may be interested in applying these techniques in different contexts.
An Analysis of Architectural Projects Driven By Hospitality Design Thinking: A Detailed Examination
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Arsalan Mirsadraei, Glenn NP Nowak
This analysis explores architectural projects, influenced by hospitality design thinking. Emphasizing the importance of collaborative dialogue throughout the design process, the focus extends beyond mere archetypes of specific structures like wineries or hotels. Instead, this proposal highlights the value of shared conversations, where diverse perspectives and mentorship create an environment of curiosity and support. These projects are not just about learning to design specific types of buildings. They emerge from a process of radical openness, allowing for mutual exploration and artistic innovation. Through open, supportive, and curiosity-driven mentorship, these architectural projects exemplify how collaborative creativity can lead to groundbreaking design solutions. This radical openness ensures that each project uniquely reflects shared ideas and mutual inspiration, moving away from standardized design approaches. The proposal underscores the transformative potential of hospitality design thinking in architecture. It demonstrates how integrating hospitable practices into the design process fosters innovation and artistic excellence. By showcasing projects developed through this approach, the analysis offers valuable insights into the dynamic relationship between architecture and hospitality. Moreover, it advocates for a design ethos that prioritizes collaboration, openness, and the shared exploration of artistic possibilities. The emphasis on hospitable curiosity and support throughout the design process not only enhances the quality of the architectural outcomes but also enriches the professional growth and creative development of all involved. By embracing these principles, architects can create spaces that are not only functional and aesthetically pleasing but also deeply resonant with the spirit of hospitality, fostering environments that welcome and inspire.
