Dr. Lázaro Florido-Benítez | Marketing | Best Researcher Award
Dr. Lázaro Florido-Benítez | Marketing | Lecturer and Researcher at University of Málaga | Spain
Prof J. Andres Coca-Stefaniak is a distinguished academic and thought leader in the fields of tourism, urban regeneration, place branding, and destination management, with a strong reputation for bridging the gap between theory and practice through impactful research and industry collaboration. He has pursued advanced academic qualifications in tourism, business, and urban studies, equipping him with a multidisciplinary perspective that enriches his contributions to academia and the global tourism sector. Prof J. Andres Coca-Stefaniak has accumulated extensive professional experience as a professor, researcher, consultant, and editor, actively engaging with international organizations, government bodies, and industry associations to shape sustainable tourism policies, strategies, and practices. His research interests cover a wide spectrum, including smart tourism, resilience of destinations, sustainable development, consumer behavior, tourism technology adoption, and the evolving relationship between urban spaces and tourism. He has demonstrated a particular focus on understanding how destinations can adapt to rapid changes brought about by globalization, digital transformation, and shifting visitor expectations. Candidates such as Prof. J. Andres Coca-Stefaniak, with 34 documents, 398 citations, and a 12 h-index, exemplify the power of impactful research and practice in shaping tourism’s sustainable future. Prof J. Andres Coca-Stefaniak is highly skilled in research methodologies, qualitative and quantitative data analysis, strategic planning, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and knowledge transfer that benefits policymakers, practitioners, and communities alike. His academic leadership is reflected in editorial roles with reputable journals, coordination of funded research projects, and mentoring of postgraduate students and early-career researchers. He has been recognized with multiple awards and honors for his outstanding contributions to tourism research, teaching excellence, and his ability to influence international tourism policies and practices. Throughout his career, Prof J. Andres Coca-Stefaniak has consistently demonstrated a commitment to advancing the tourism discipline while ensuring its positive impact on local communities and global sustainability. His profile represents the ideal blend of rigorous academic research, real-world application, and visionary leadership, positioning him as one of the leading figures in contemporary tourism studies and a driving force for the future of global tourism innovation.
Featured Publications
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Florido-Benítez, L., & Coca-Stefaniak, J. A. (2025). Aerotainment—A new paradigm for sustainable development in tourism. Sustainable Development, 1–11. [Citations: 5]
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Florido-Benítez, L., Morrison, A. M., & Coca-Stefaniak, J. A. (2025). Aerotainment – merging airport and theme park experiences. Annals of Tourism Research, 101, 103881. [Citations: 4]
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Florido-Benítez, L., & Coca-Stefaniak, J. A. (2025). Towards a new generation of smart tourism cities–GenAI-enabled aerotainment. Cities, 106311. [Citations: 3]
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Florido-Benítez, L. (2025). The role of cybersecurity as a preventive measure in digital tourism and travel: A systematic literature review. Discover Computing, 2, 52. [Citations: 2]
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Florido-Benítez, L. (2025). Metatourpolis and aerotainment: Two concepts to be considered to empower tourism and travel activities in smart cities. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Horizons, 1(2), 69–86. [Citations: 1]
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Florido-Benítez, L., & del Alcázar Martínez, B. (2025). The disruptive use of artificial intelligence (AI) will considerably enhance the tourism and air transport industries. Electronics, 14(1), 16. [Citations: 2]
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Florido-Benítez, L. (2025). Generative artificial intelligence: A proactive and creative tool to achieve hyper-segmentation and hyper-personalisation in the tourism industry. International Journal of Tourism Cities, 11(1), 83–103. [Citations: 3]