Call for Papers
The 11th Biennial Conference of the
International Tourism Studies Association
Connected by Byte, Encountered by Site
AI-Driven Transformation, Place-Based Experience, and the Future of Tourism
October 31 – November 3, 2026
Peking University, Beijing, China
About the Conference
The International Tourism Studies Association (ITSA) is pleased to announce its 11th Biennial Conference, to be held at Peking University, Beijing, China, from October 31 to November 3, 2026.
Founded in 2006 in Beijing, ITSA returns to its birthplace to celebrate its 20th anniversary. This landmark conference brings together international scholars, journal editors, urban planners, policymakers, and industry practitioners to address a central question of our time: as artificial intelligence and digital technologies deepen connectivity, prediction, and service efficiency, how do we preserve and enhance the irreplaceable value of real-world encounter — in cities, heritage sites, and living cultural landscapes?
The conference invites interdisciplinary contributions at the intersection of AI-driven transformation and place-based experience, advancing both theoretical frameworks and practical solutions for tourism, hospitality, and spatial governance in the age of intelligent systems.
Distinguished keynote speakers from leading international institutions and journal editorships will be announced in the Second Circular.
Conference Theme
Connected by Byte, Encountered by Site
AI-Driven Transformation, Place-Based Experience, and the Future of Tourism
Digital technologies continuously enhance our capacity to connect, predict, and personalize — yet the ultimate value of tourism is realized through embodied presence in real spaces, authentic cultural encounters, and meaningful human interaction. The conference seeks to bridge this fundamental tension through rigorous scholarship and innovative practice, exploring how AI and intelligent systems can empower rather than replace the lived experience of place.
Conference Tracks
The conference is organized around 12 tracks within three thematic matrices. Authors are invited to submit papers aligned with any of the following:
Matrix I — Bytes: Digital Technologies & Tourism Systems
| Track 1 | Generative AI and Intelligent Tourism Systems |
| Track 2 | Platform Economies, Data Governance and Digital Markets |
| Track 3 | Tourism Mobilities and Spatio-temporal Analytics |
Matrix II — Scenes: Spatial Planning & Scene Governance
| Track 4 | Territorial Spatial Planning and Tourism Futures |
| Track 5 | Emerging Tourism Scenes and Experience Landscapes |
| Track 6 | Heritage Placemaking and Digital Heritage Interpretation |
| Track 7 | Ecological Resilience and Digital Conservation |
Matrix III — Encounters: Experience Innovation & Human Futures
| Track 8 | XR, Metaverse and Immersive Tourism Experiences |
| Track 9 | Creative Tourism and Cultural Innovation |
| Track 10 | Embodied Tourism Experience and Digital Leisure |
| Track 11 | Sports, Rural and Wellness Tourism |
| Track 12 | Cross-cultural Encounters and AI Ethics in Tourism |
Papers addressing topics not listed above but relevant to the conference theme are also welcome. Please indicate your preferred track upon submission.
Submission Guidelines
The conference welcomes three categories of submissions:
Type A: Full Research Papers
- Abstract: 300–500 words, submitted by the abstract deadline. Must include research objectives, methodology, key findings, and implications
- Full Paper: 6,000–8,000 words (including references), submitted upon acceptance of the abstract
- Eligibility: Faculty members, postdoctoral researchers, doctoral candidates, and research professionals
- Review: Abstracts are reviewed by Track Co-chairs; full papers undergo double-blind peer review by the Scientific Committee
- Recognition: Eligible for the ITSA Best Paper Award; selected papers will be recommended to partner journals
- Requirements: Full papers must include a clearly articulated research question, theoretical or conceptual framework, methodology, findings, and implications
Type B: Extended Abstracts / Case Studies
- Length: 1,000–1,500 words
- Eligibility: Planners, industry executives, policymakers, and researchers presenting applied work
- Review: Editorial review by Track Co-chairs
- Recognition: Poster presentation at the conference; included in the Conference Proceedings
- Requirements: Should describe a planning/design project, policy innovation, technology application, or industry case with clear practical contributions
Type C: The Alastair Morrison Memorial Young Scholar Award
In memory of Professor Alastair M. Morrison (1948–2025), co-founder and Past President of ITSA, Co-Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Tourism Cities, Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Purdue University, and Research Professor at the University of Greenwich. Professor Morrison dedicated his career to bridging tourism scholarship between East and West, mentoring generations of young scholars worldwide. This award honors his enduring legacy and his belief in nurturing the next generation of tourism researchers.
- Length: Maximum 2 pages (A4), including a brief research proposal or innovative concept
- Eligibility: Master’s students and advanced undergraduates enrolled at accredited institutions worldwide
- Review: Reviewed by the Scientific Committee
- Recognition: Finalists will present in a dedicated plenary pitching session. The winner of the Alastair Morrison Memorial Award will receive a certificate, a cash prize, and complimentary ITSA membership
- Requirements: A concise research proposal including research motivation, proposed approach, and expected contributions. Submissions should demonstrate originality, scholarly potential, and relevance to the conference theme
Formatting and Language
- The official conference language is English. Chinese-language submissions are accepted for Type B and Type C only.
- All submissions should follow APA 7th edition formatting for references.
- Submissions must be original, unpublished work and should not be under review elsewhere at the time of submission.
- Authors must remove all identifying information from the manuscript for Type A submissions (double-blind review).
- At least one author of each accepted submission must register for and attend the conference.
Submission Platform
All submissions should be made through EasyChair:
https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=itsa2026
When submitting, please select your preferred track (Track 1–12) and submission type (A, B, or C).
Publication Opportunities
All accepted papers will be included in the ITSA 2026 Conference Proceedings. Outstanding papers will be recommended to partner journals
All journal publications are subject to the respective journal’s independent peer-review process.
Programme at a Glance
| Date | Programme |
|---|---|
| Day 0 Oct 31 (Sat) |
Registration & Welcome Reception |
| Day 1 Nov 1 (Sun) |
Morning: Opening Ceremony & Plenary Keynote Speeches Afternoon: 12 Parallel Track Paper Sessions (2 rounds) & Poster Exhibition |
| Day 2 Nov 2 (Mon) |
Morning: Journal Editors Forum & Invited Keynote Speeches Afternoon: 12 Parallel Track Paper Sessions · Industry Roundtable · Closing Ceremony & Awards |
| Day 3 Nov 3 (Tue) |
Optional Post-Conference Field Trip (Beijing cultural heritage sites) |
A detailed programme with session assignments will be published in October 2026.
Important Dates
| Milestone | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Submission Deadline (Type A abstracts, Type B & C full submissions) | June 15, 2026 |
| Notification of Acceptance | July 15, 2026 |
| Registration Opens | July 15, 2026 |
| Full Paper Submission (Type A only) | September 1, 2026 |
| Early Bird Registration Closes | September 15, 2026 |
| Final Programme Published | October 15, 2026 |
| Registration & Welcome Reception (Day 0) | October 31, 2026 |
| Conference (Day 1–2) | November 1–2, 2026 |
| Post-Conference Field Trip (Day 3) | November 3, 2026 |
| Hotel Checkout | November 4, 2026 |
Registration Fees
| Category | Early Bird (by Sep 15, 2026) |
Regular (after Sep 15, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Delegate | CNY 1,800 / USD 280 | CNY 2,200 / USD 340 |
| ITSA Member | CNY 1,500 / USD 230 | CNY 1,800 / USD 280 |
| Full-time Student* | CNY 800 / USD 120 | CNY 1,000 / USD 150 |
| Accompanying Person | CNY 600 / USD 90 | CNY 800 / USD 120 |
Registration includes access to all conference sessions, conference materials, lunches, tea breaks, welcome dinner, and farewell dinner. Accommodation and travel are not included.
* Student registration requires proof of current full-time enrollment at an accredited institution.
Cancellation policy: Cancellations received before September 15, 2026 will receive a full refund minus a USD 50 administrative fee. Cancellations after September 15 are non-refundable but substitutions are permitted. All cancellation requests must be sent in writing to itsa2026pku@gmail.com.
Venue & Accommodation
The conference will be held at Peking University, Beijing, China. Detailed venue information will be announced in the Second Circular.
Conference hotel information and preferential rates will be provided in the Second Circular.
Post-Conference Field Trip (November 3)
An optional post-conference field trip will be organized, offering participants the opportunity to experience Beijing’s cultural heritage and innovation landscapes:
- Route A — Central Axis Heritage: Beijing Central Axis World Heritage Tour (Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Drum Tower & Bell Tower, Yongdingmen)
- Route B — Digital Innovation: 798 Art District, Zhongguancun Science City
- Route C — Great Wall: Mutianyu Great Wall and Ming Tombs
Separate registration required. Limited to 60 participants per route. Details in the Second Circular.
About ITSA
The International Tourism Studies Association (ITSA) was founded in 2006 in Beijing, China. Registered in London, UK, ITSA is dedicated to promoting dialogue between Eastern and Western scholarship in tourism, hospitality, and related fields. The Association holds biennial conferences rotating across five continents, and publishes the International Journal of Tourism Cities in partnership with Emerald Publishing.
Past conferences have been held in Beijing/Hangzhou (2006), Seoul (2008), Shah Alam (2010), Bali (2012), Macau (2014), London (2016), Tshwane (2018), Wuhan (2020/online), Gran Canaria (2022), and Riga (2024).
For more information, visit intltourismstudies.org.
Contact
ITSA 2026 Conference Secretariat
Peking University, Beijing, China
Email: itsa2026pku@gmail.com
Website: intltourismstudies.org/itsa2026
Submissions: EasyChair — ITSA 2026
International Tourism Studies Association (ITSA) · Founded 2006 in Beijing
We look forward to welcoming you to Beijing.