BACK TO THE FUTURE: RECONFIGURING THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY?

 

The ICOT2022 conference builds on the eminent support of the international scholarly community and the success of the previous ten International Conferences on Tourism (ICOT) held in Greece, China, Cyprus, U.K., Italy, Thailand, Portugal but also virtually following the COVID-19 outbreak.

The twenty-first century has brought unprecedented challenges for tourism, hospitality and destinations. Until the end of 2019, globalization vs glocalization, extravagant economic and travel activity, marked issues related to climate change, over-tourism vs degrowth, overdevelopment, and were paired with economic crises, socio-cultural problems, terrorism and battles. Then, the outbreak of a pandemic disease changed the scenery and priorities for destinations, as well as the tourism and hospitality industry. Even experienced and ‘heavy’ travelers need to again fall back in love with travelling as travel motives are reformed. Destinations, which in 2019 were troubled with over-tourism, now need to redevelop their strategic plans. Focusing on the place rather than the destination brand becomes a priority in order to effectively resume the travel activity, manage incoming tourism demand and be marked as safe for international and domestic travelers and investors but also for locals.

ICOT 2021 seeks to add to the debate regarding how to decrease risk and uncertainty in order to resume the tourism and economic activity. For some, a focus on sustainable practices and ongoing crisis management to more promptly deal with any similar future crisis, appears more necessary than ever before. On the other hand, other practitioners and scholars believe that the effect of COVID-19 on the traveler’s behavior and attitude as well as the regional and domestic tourism landscape is temporary.

The conference will stimulate discussion and exchange of ideas related to the conference theme and beyond, between tourism professionals, academics, researchers, policy-makers, consultants, practitioners, government officials and postgraduate students from tourism academia and related fields.

We therefore invite submissions on all aspects of tourism development, policy, planning, growth and degrowth that will add to the current debate.