Zhanbo Bi

Zhanbo Bi is a Postgraduate Research Student in Hospitality, Tourism, Transport and Events at the University of Surrey, undertaking his doctoral studies through a collaborative dual scholarship with the Surrey International Institute (SII) at Dongbei University of Finance and Economics (DUFE), China. He began his PhD in September 2026 under the supervision of Dr Isabel Rodríguez, Dr Dan Knox and Dr Lin Su.

His doctoral research explores the evolving relationship between experiential commercial spaces and urban tourism, with a particular interest in how these spaces contribute to visitor experiences and destination development.

Zhanbo holds a Master of Tourism, Hotel and Event Management from the University of Queensland, Australia, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Northwood University, USA. His previous research has covered sustainable destination management in Australia, retail practices and circular consumption at Lund University in Sweden, and consumer experiences within luxury brand exhibitions and pop-up spaces in China.

Before beginning his doctoral studies, Zhanbo was a Lecturer at the University of Sanya, China, where he taught hospitality and luxury management courses, supervised undergraduate dissertations and contributed to curriculum development projects. Alongside his academic work, he has gained professional experience in luxury retail, brand development and experiential marketing, supporting international brands entering the Chinese market and contributing to exhibitions, pop-up events and consumer engagement initiatives. His combined academic and industry experience informs his interdisciplinary approach to tourism and visitor experience research.