Rojan Baniya, Ph.D.

Rojan Baniya, Ph.D.

  • Assistant Professor
(334) 844-5232
rzb0144@auburn.edu
324 R Rane Culinary Science Center 205 S. College Street, Auburn, AL 36830
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Rojan Baniya, Ph.D., CHIA, is an Assistant Professor at Auburn University’s Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Florida and has researched sustainable hospitality and tourism, consumer decision-making, destination management & marketing, and visitor experience. His work, published in hospitality and tourism journals, employs quantitative, qualitative, and big-data approaches to address critical challenges across tourism, hospitality, and event management. He has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in tourism, hospitality, and marketing across the U.S. and Asia, integrating research insights into experiential learning. He also brings industry experience in marketing research and the services industry to inform his scholarship and teaching.

Education

  • Ph.D.University of Florida2022

  • Masters of Marketing ResearchSouther Illinios University Edwardsville2009

  • Masters in Business AdministrationKathmandu University2006

  • BSc. Computer ScienceTribhuwan University2003

Professional Experience

Senior Research Analyst / Statistician, MMGY Global Inc. – Led custom and syndicated travel and hospitality research projects, applying advanced statistical modeling and analytics to generate actionable insights that informed client marketing and investment decisions: improved reporting efficiency and enhanced data accuracy across multiple engagements.

Research Project Manager, Brand Asset Consulting – Directed end-to-end research initiatives for major brands, including UnitedHealth Group, Microsoft, and Samsung Electronics. Managed and optimized a brand asset valuation database of 3,500 U.S. brands, strengthening data integrity and analytical reliability, and delivered insights that supported brand positioning, valuation strategy, and executive decision-making.

Marketing Research Analyst, Maritz Inc. – Contributed to large-scale customer satisfaction tracking studies, conducting statistical analyses that improved insight generation and supported client retention strategies—enhanced data validation processes to ensure high-quality reporting.

Credit Card Officer, Standard Chartered Bank Nepal Limited – Oversaw merchant acquiring and credit card issuance operations, improving process efficiency and service delivery. Implemented a structured Voice of Customer (VOC) complaint tracking system, strengthening customer feedback integration and operational responsiveness. Introduced job rotation and multi-skilling initiatives to increase team productivity and flexibility.



Innovation

Baniya, R., Birendra, K. C., & Chapagain, B. (2026). Tourist Typology, Sustainable Values, And Willingness To Pay For Green Hotels. Journal On Tourism & Sustainability, 8(2), 24-31.

Rosenbaum, M. S., Baniya, R., & Passyn, K. A. (2025). From loss prevention to customer loss: shopper responses to caged servicescapes. The International Review of Retail, Distribution and Consumer Research, 1-20.

Stepchenkova, S., Baniya, R., Kirilenko, A., & Chen, T. (2025). Beyond Message Framing: Comparing the Role of Environmental Values in Conservation Behavior Across the US and India. Sustainability, 17(21), 9631.

Chapagain, B. R., Baniya, R., & Biswakarma, G. (2025). Unveiling the drivers of corporate social responsibility in Nepal: a qualitative inquiry across industry sectors. Management Matters, 22(1), 1-18.

Pokhrel, L., Chaulagain, S., & Baniya, R. (2025). Factors determining the usage of virtual reality at UNESCO World Heritage Sites among Generations Y and Z. Journal of Heritage Tourism, 1-16.

Chaulagain, S., Li, J., Baniya, R., & Pizam, A. (2024). Should I stay or should I go back? Factors influencing snowbirds' permanent relocation intention. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, 7(5), 2643-2661.

Chapagain, B. R., Baniya, R., & Biswakarma, G. (2024). Unveiling the drivers of corporate social responsibility in Nepal: a qualitative inquiry across industry sectors. Management Matters.

Baniya, R., & Thapa, B. (2024). Conceptualizing visitors’ experience in heritage hotels using big data. Journal of Heritage Tourism, 19(3), 451-469.

Baniya, R., Chaulagain, S., & Okumus, B. (2024). Examining Relationships Among Emotional Experience, Place Identity, and Destination Loyalty. Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR), 12(2), 117-144.

Chaulagain, S., Li, J., Baniya, R., & Pizam, A. (2023). Should I stay or should I go back? Factors influencing snowbirds' permanent relocation intention. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights.

KC, B., Baniya, R., Singh, H. B., & Chapagain, B. (2023). Human-wildlife conflicts in a Nepalese protected area: conservation challenges, mitigation strategies, and policy implications. Geojournal, 88(6), 5997-6010.

Baniya, R., An, Y., & Thapa, B. (2022) Green Hotel Selection: The Effects of Social Learning and Eco-labels. Tourism Review.  https://doi.org/10.1108/TR-04-2022-0178

Paudyal, R., Baniya, R., Thapa, B., Neupane, S. S., & KC, B. (2022). Motivation and service quality relationship with visitor satisfaction and loyalty intentions in a mountainous protected area. Journal of Ecotourism, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/14724049.2022.2052080

Chhetri, S. B., & Baniya, R. (2022). Influence of student-faculty interaction on graduate outcomes of undergraduate management students: The mediating role of behavioral, emotional and cognitive engagement. The International Journal of Management Education, 20(2), 100640.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2022.100640

Baniya, R., & Thapa, B. (2021). CSR Communication among Tourism SMEs through Their Websites. Tourism and Hospitality, 2(3), 319-326. https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp2030020

Baniya, R., Thapa, B., Paudyal, R., & Naupane, SS. (2021). Motive-based segmentation of international tourists at Gaurishankar Conservation Area, Nepal. Journal of Mountain Science,18(1), 205-218.http://doi.org/10.1007/s 11629-020-6179-z

Baniya, R., Dogru-Dastan, H., & Thapa, B. (2021). Visitors' experience at Angkor Wat, Cambodia: evidence from sentiment and topic analysis. Journal of Heritage Tourism, 16(6), 632-645. https://doi.org/10.1080/1743873X.2020.1833892

Baniya, R., & Rajak, K. (2020). Attitude, Motivation, and Barriers for CSR Engagement among Travel and Tour Operators in Nepal. Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Education, 10, 53-70. https://doi.org/10.3126/jthe.v10i0.28733

Baniya, R., Thapa, B.; Kim, M.-S. (2019) Corporate Social Responsibility Among Travel and Tour Operators in Nepal. Sustainability 11, 2771. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11102771

Baniya, R., Shrestha, U., & Karn, M. (2018). Local and Community Well-Being through Community Based Tourism–A Study of Transformative Effect. Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Education, 8, 77-96. https://doi.org/10.3126/jthe.v8i0.20012

Baniya, R., Adhikari, S. (2018). Mergers and Acquisitions of the Financial Institutions: Factors Affecting the Employee Turnover Intention, NRB Economic Review. 29 (2), 31-50. https://doi.org/10.3126/jthe.v8i0.20012

Baniya, R. (2018). Relationship Between Perception of Service Quality and Students’ Satisfaction – A Case Study of a Management School, Journal of Education and Research, 4(1), 77-92. https://doi.org/10.3126/jer.v6i2.22149

Baniya, R. (2017). Components of Celebrity Endorsement Affecting Brand Loyalty of Nepali Customers. Journal of Business and Management Research, 2(1-2), 52-65. http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jbmr.v2i1-2.18151

Baniya, R. (2017). Hotel Attributes Influencing International Tourists’ Satisfaction and Loyalty. Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Education, 7, 44-61. http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jthe.v7i0.17689

Rosenbaum, M. S., Baniya, R., & Seger-Guttmann, T. (2017). Customer responses towards disabled frontline employees. International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 45(4), 385-403. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJRDM-08-2016-0133

Baniya, R., Ghimire, S., & Phuyal, S. (2017). Push and Pull Factors and their effects on International Tourists’ Revisit Intention to Nepal. The Gaze: Journal of Tourism and Hospitality, 8, 20-39. http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/gaze.v8i0.17830

Baniya, R., & Paudel, K. (2016). An Analysis of Push and Pull Travel Motivations of Domestic Tourists in Nepal. Journal of Management and Development Studies, Vol. 27, pp.16-30.

Shrestha, A. K., & Baniya, R. (2016). Emotional intelligence and employee outcomes: Moderating role of organizational politics. Business Perspectives and Research, 4(1), 15-26.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/2278533715605426 

Engagement

Research & Consulting Leadership (EMDC Focus)

  • Led EMDC at Kathmandu University School of Management, bridging academia and industry

  • Delivered research, consulting, and training to improve organizations

  • Connected academic theory with real-world practice

Academic Program Management & Outreach (Hawaii Focus)

  • Program Manager & Visiting Professor at Hawaii Pacific University

  • Developed curriculum and promoted student engagement

  • Built partnerships with the Hawaii Tourism Authority & Lodging Association for scholarships and mentorships


 

 

Certifications

Certification in Sustainable Tourism Destination Management, Cornell University, July 2023


Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics (CHIA), American Hotel & Lodging Association, October 2022