ICTR Call for Papers

• Academic Papers
• Case Studies
• Work in-Progress Papers
  
• PhD Papers
• Masters Papers
• Posters and Presentations
• Non- Academic or Practitioner Contributions

Aims and Scope

The primary aim of the ICTR is to foster academic and professional dialogue on the diverse aspects of tourism, promoting research that contributes to the sustainable development of the tourism industry worldwide. The conference seeks to bridge the gap between theory and practice by encouraging contributions that offer both theoretical insights and practical implications. It also aims to provide a collaborative environment where participants can engage in knowledge exchange, network with peers, and explore emerging trends and issues in tourism.

The scope of the conference is broad and inclusive, covering various areas of tourism research. It welcomes contributions from multiple disciplines, including hospitality, economics, management, sociology, geography, cultural studies, environmental science, and technology, reflecting the complex and interdisciplinary nature of tourism studies.

Topics Covered

The call for papers for the ICTR conference asked for contributions that considered the following topics. In addition the committee welcomed papers on a number of specialist mini-tracks which can be seen at the end of this list.

Tourism Management and Marketing

• strategies and practices involved in managing and marketing tourism destinations and businesses
• destination branding
• digital marketing
• customer experience management
• the role of social media in shaping tourist behaviour.

Sustainable Tourism

• sustainable tourism practices
• mitigating the environmental impact of tourism
• ecotourism
• responsible tourism
• the management of natural and cultural resources
• the balance between tourism development and environmental conservation.

Tourism Economics

• the economic impacts of tourism at local, regional, and national levels
• tourism demand modelling
• the economic contribution of tourism to GDP
• the role of tourism in economic development
• the challenges of tourism taxation and pricing.

Cultural and Heritage Tourism

• culture and heritage in tourism
• leveraging historical and cultural assets for tourism development
• the preservation of cultural heritage sites
• the commodification of culture
• the impact of tourism on local communities and traditions.

Tourism and Technology

• the integration of technological innovations in the tourism industry
• the role of artificial intelligence, big data analytics, virtual and augmented reality in tourism experiences
• the impact of the sharing economy on traditional tourism models.

Tourism Policy and Governance

• the role of government and international organisations in shaping tourism policy and regulation
• tourism planning
• public-private partnerships
• tourism governance structures
• the impact of global tourism policies on local practices.

Tourism and Globalization

• the effects of globalization on tourism
• the homogenization of tourism experiences
• the challenges and opportunities presented by international tourism
• the role of tourism in promoting global understanding and cultural exchange.

Tourism and Society

• the social and cultural implications of tourism development
• the role of tourism in shaping social identities
• the ways in which tourism influences local communities including overtourism and tourist induced gentrification
• the ethical dimensions of tourism

Tourism Education and Training

• curriculum development
• the role of vocational training in tourism
• the challenges of meeting industry needs through educational programs

Crisis Management in Tourism

• the vulnerability of the tourism industry to natural disasters, political instability, and pandemics
• strategies for crisis management and recovery
• risk assessment and resilience building
• the long-term impacts of crises on tourism destinations

Mini-Tracks

Experts in the field proposed mini tracks on the following topics. Papers accepted on these topics after the double-blind peer review process were presented as mini tracks at the conference and are also published in these proceedings.

Sustainable Tourism and the Circular Economy 

Mini Track Chair: Dr Christopher J Moon, Middlesex University, UK

This track will explore the latest developments in the use of circular economy concepts in the tourism industry. Papers reviewing best practices in sustainable tourism or highlighting innovative practices are particularly welcome. This includes the tourism industry, sustainable processes, sustainable transport, sustainable stays (hotels, other establishments, local consumption, waste sorting, etc.), feedback between tourists and providers to improve the sustainable tourism global offer; data on sustainable tourism demands and expectations; innovation and sustainability. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Circular economy in tourism
• Energy and carbon savings in establishments
• Use of recycled materials
• Eco-friendly sourcing / organic and Eco-certifications / labelling
• Energy positive
• Zero km

Innovations in Medical Tourism

Mini Track Chair: Dr. Tan Lay Hong, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka

Medical tourism is a burgeoning segment of the global travel and tourism industry, with a value in the billions of dollars, and recognized for its ability to deliver top-notch healthcare services to patients transnationally. The growth of Medical Tourism is fuelled by factors such as cost-effective treatments, shorter waiting periods, and access to advanced medical technologies. Due to the significant economic and social implications of these sectors, there is a heightened focus on sustainable development and innovative solutions to improve patient care, safety, and overall experience. This track intends to broaden the cross-disciplinary scope of Medical Tourism research through theoretical and applied studies. Contributors are encouraged to investigate the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in these fields and provide insights into best practices and future of the Medical Tourism industry. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Sustainable Development in Medical Tourism
• Patient Experience and Hospitality in Medical Tourism including Marketing and Promoting
• Quality and Safety in Medical Tourism
• Logistics and Coordination in Medical Tourism
• Innovations and Technological Advancements in Medical Tourism
• Halal Medical Tourism

Cultural Tourism

Mini Track Chair: Professor Rossana Santos, University of Maderia, Portugal

According to the UNWTO member states and experts, cultural tourism plays a major role in global tourism today. The definition adopted by the UN Tourism General Assembly, states that Cultural Tourism is: “A type of tourism activity in which the visitor’s essential motivation is to learn, discover, experience and consume the tangible and intangible cultural attractions/products of a tourism destination. These attractions/products relate to a set of distinctive material, intellectual, spiritual and emotional features that encompasses arts and architecture, historical and cultural heritage, culinary heritage, literature, music, creative industries and the living cultures with their lifestyles, value systems, beliefs and traditions”. Therefore, responsible and accessible cultural tourism management is a challenging process which interacts directly with supporting policies and activities inline with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Climate Action policy. This mini track seeks to reflect on emerging challenges and possible innovative approaches and solutions related to cultural tourism. The topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Sustainable and ethical cultural tourism
• Cultural tourism intelligence and Artificial intelligence and cultural tourism
• Innovative cultural experiences in urban and rural areas, natural regions, landscapes, and heritage sites
• Gastronomy and Wine tourism
• Cultural tourism marketing

Important Dates