Dr. Bhat joined Odisha Higher Education in the year 2018 as Assistant Professor at Khallikote University in the department of Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Management. He moved to Berhampur University on 1st October, 2021�after the amalgamation of erstwhile Khallikote University with Berhampur University. Dr. Bhat is a native of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and hails from district Ganderbal in the Central Kashmir. He has worked as a lecturer in the department of Management Studies at University of Kashmir and taught Post-Graduate courses of Tourism and Hospitality Management. He has also taught Under-Graduate courses at Government Degree College Magam, Jammu and Kashmir. He has published research papers in both national and international journals of academic repute like, Elsevier and Emerald. He has received a research grant from Odisha Higher Education Council for conducting research in ecotourism and community development for sustainable livelihood in Southern Odisha. He has participated and presented research papers at different forums across the country. He has delivered guest lectures and invited talks in different academic institutions across the country. He has participated in different training programmes and workshops organized and sponsored by UGC and ICSSR. He is the full time member of World Leisure Organization and Indian Tourism and Hospitality Congress.