Kazem Vafadari (PhD) is Director of International Center for Asia Pacific Tourism; Academic Director of the Kunisaki city research center for world agriculture heritage; and Division Head of Tourism and Hospitality, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Japan. His research interest and expertise include tourism and agriculture, community building, rural revitalization, destination branding, and development of health and wellness destinations through edible and medicinal plants in agriculture heritage landscapes. He worked with UN Food and Agriculture Organization as an advisor and scientific committee member for the Globally Important Agriculture Heritage Systems. He is also on the advisory board of UNWTO's QUEST program. kazemv@gmail.com