In response to China’s reform and development in the new era, Beijing International Studies University and K.T.Cooperation  jointly initiated and established the China Academy of Culture and Tourism (The Academy).

Beijing International Studies University (BISU), as a highland of Chinese culture and tourism research and education, has made significant contributions to the nation's policy formulation and industrial development. As a member of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Asia-Pacific Tourism Association (PATA), and as the vice-president unit of the China Tourism Education Association, BISU has time-honored disciplines covering tourism management, hospitality management and event management and enjoys a prestigious reputation. With UNWTO-TedQual going hand-in-hand with the Huang Danian-Type Team of Excellence in Higher Education Institutions, BISU has been recognized as an institution of national-level disciplines, quality courses and excellent teachers in Beijing tourism management. Its master of tourism administration (MTA) and international student education are also well-known. BISU has participated in the formulation of Tourism Law and a number of national and local standards, and has established strategic partnerships with a number of provincial and city governments. With national qualifications for tourism planning and design, BISU has also sent a large number of leading talents to the industry.

The Academy boosts industrial development and conducts cutting-edge, practical and innovative research. The key research fields include culture and tourism big data, culture and tourism market regulation, the application of artificial intelligence and AR/VR, health and wellness tourism, industrial tourism, heritage tourism, as well as new formats and new models of culture and tourism. The Academy cooperates closely with enterprises, local governments and other institutions to conduct special research, consultations and training, providing theoretical and policy support for governments, industrial development and assistance for local development.

The Academy has set up a Culture and Tourism Big Data Lab, an Artificial Intelligence Lab, a Health and Wellness Tourism Lab, the Pingtan International Tourism Island Research Centre, the Industrial Tourism Research Centre and the Administrative Office. In addition, the Academy regularly invites renowned scholars from home and abroad to act as academic counselors and researchers.

Adhering to the principles of openness, practice, service and innovation, the Academy strives to build “four platforms” — one for university-wide sharing, one for government-academia-industry collaboration, one for university-level exchanges and cooperation and one for industry integration and innovation. It aims to build an international, innovative and practical-industrial modern think tank. The Academy will continue to keep up with academic frontiers, serve national needs, cooperate with industrial practices, and work together with friends from academic institutions and industries at home and abroad to make new and significant contributions to China’s culture and tourism development.