Dr. Amara N. Okeke

Amara Okeke is an Associate Professor in the Department of Tourism Management at International University Canada, where she teaches and mentors students across the School of Hospitality & Tourism. Her academic work focuses on cultural and heritage tourism, examining how destinations preserve and present their cultural identity while developing tourism in ways that benefit local communities.

Throughout her academic career, Amara Okeke has developed a teaching approach that places community involvement and cultural authenticity at the center of tourism planning. She encourages students to consider how cultural and heritage tourism can be developed respectfully, ensuring that local communities retain ownership and benefit directly from tourism activity built around their traditions and historical sites.

In her courses, Amara Okeke draws on case studies from heritage sites, cultural festivals, and community-based tourism initiatives around the world to help students understand both the opportunities and the challenges of cultural tourism development. Students explore topics such as heritage site management, community-based tourism models, cultural preservation, and the balance between visitor access and the protection of culturally significant places.

As an Associate Professor within the Department of Tourism Management, Amara Okeke also contributes to curriculum planning that prepares students to work thoughtfully with diverse cultural communities. She works closely with colleagues across the School of Hospitality & Tourism to ensure that coursework reflects best practices in ethical, community-centered tourism development.

Amara Okeke places particular emphasis on helping students understand tourism from the perspective of host communities, not just visitors or tourism operators. Many of her students come from regions with significant cultural and heritage tourism potential, and she creates space for them to apply course concepts directly to tourism development challenges in their own communities and countries.

Recognizing that many of her students are working professionals studying online, Amara Okeke structures her courses with accessible case studies, clear planning frameworks, and consistent opportunities for applied discussion. Her approach to online teaching emphasizes practical, ethically grounded tourism planning skills that students can apply in real community and destination contexts.

Students who study under Amara Okeke often highlight her ability to connect tourism theory with genuine respect for cultural heritage and community voice. Her long-term goal as an educator is to help students develop the skills needed to support tourism development that honors local culture while building sustainable economic opportunity.