Jeff Christensen

Jeff Christensen serves as Assistant Professor and Director of the Center for Hospitality & Tourism at Brigham Young University-Hawaii within the Faculty of Business & Government. His leadership propelled the Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) program from #55 to #10 nationally among U.S. programs, establishing strategic partnerships with HLTA, HSMAI, and ADB while pioneering innovative learning through real-world industry collaborations and student entrepreneurship competitions.

His academic credentials include an M.Sc. in Tourism Management from the University of Surrey (Thesis: Demographics As a Determinant of Ethical Attitudes in The American Hospitality Industry) and a B.A. in International Studies/French from Brigham Young University, enhanced by study abroad in Israel and Europe.

Christensen's research integrates regenerative tourism principles with technological innovation, focusing on sustainable destination development, cultural heritage preservation, and AI's impact on consumer decision-making. His work emphasizes ethical tourism practices across the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in Kiribati and Mongolia, where student teams implement community-driven tourism initiatives.

His scholarly output centers on tourism technology applications, exemplified by his 2023 Current Issues in Tourism article examining AI hallucination effects. This reflects his broader research trajectory connecting digital transformation with cultural sensitivity in hospitality contexts.

• Faculty Citizenship Award (2024)
• ACME National Teaching Award Finalist (2024)

Christensen mentors student clubs (Latin America Society, Ho'okipa Society), coaches entrepreneurship competition teams with unmatched success records, and leads international research projects. He established the HTM Student Advisory Board and secured industry partnerships providing $6,000 in IFMA scholarships and HSMAI mentorship opportunities.

As Center Director, he oversees the HTM program's strategic growth, including the culinary arts collaboration with celebrity chef Felix Tai and the Polynesian Cultural Center. His global outreach includes HSMAI Global Case Competition leadership and Asia Development Bank partnerships for student involvement in Kiribati's tourism rebranding initiative.