The 11th Biennial Conference
of the International Tourism Studies Association
Returning Home: Celebrating 20 Years of ITSA
The International Tourism Studies Association (ITSA) is pleased to announce its 11th Biennial Conference, to be held at Peking University, Beijing, China, from 31 October to 3 November 2026. Founded in 2006 at Peking University, ITSA returns to its birthplace to celebrate its 20th anniversary. This landmark conference brings together scholars, journal editors, urban planners, policymakers, and industry professionals to address a timely question: as artificial intelligence and digital technologies continue to enhance connectivity, prediction, and service efficiency, how can we sustain and enrich the value of real-world experiences — in cities, heritage sites, and cultural landscapes?
Over two decades, ITSA has developed an academic network spanning five continents and more than twenty countries and regions. Its Biennial Conferences have been hosted across China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Singapore, Spain, and Latvia, sustaining international exchange across tourism research, urban governance, and industry practice. The Association’s journal, the International Journal of Tourism Cities (WOS Q2, Scopus Q1), has become a leading academic platform for urban tourism research worldwide.
From Bytes to Sites
Digital technologies continue to expand our capacity to connect, predict, and personalize — yet the ultimate value of tourism lies in being present—in real places, authentic cultural settings, and meaningful human interactions. The conference aims to bridge this tension through rigorous scholarship and innovative practice, examining how AI and intelligent systems can empower — rather than replace — the lived experience of place.
Thirteen Tracks
The conference is organized around thirteen tracks convened by leading scholars from across China, Asia, Europe, North America, and Australia. Authors are invited to submit papers related to any of the following tracks.
📌 Papers addressing topics not listed above but relevant to the conference theme are also welcome. Please indicate your preferred track upon submission via EasyChair.
Submission Type
The conference welcomes submissions designed to accommodate different stages and styles of scholarship and practice.
1,000–1,500 words (including references)
- ReviewReviewed by Track Chairs and the Scientific Committee
- RecognitionEligible for the ITSA Best Paper Award. Selected papers will be invited to participate in the “Pitch & Polish: Meet the Editors” session.
How to Submit
Prepare Your Submission
Follow the format guidelines for your chosen submission type. References must follow APA 7th Edition.
Submit on EasyChair
All submissions are made through the EasyChair system. Select your preferred Track (1–13), and indicate whether you wish to participate in the Pitch & Polish: Meet the Editors session.
Go to EasyChair →Await Notification
Notification of acceptance will be sent by 15 August 2026. Accepted authors should register by 15 September 2026 to secure early-bird rates.
- Working language: The official conference language is English. Submissions are also welcome in Chinese.
- References: APA 7th Edition formatting throughout.
- Originality: Submissions must be original, unpublished, and not under review elsewhere.
- Registration: At least one author of each accepted submission must register for and attend the conference.
Partner Journals
All accepted papers will be included in the ITSA 2026 Conference Proceedings (with ISBN). Outstanding papers recommended by the Scientific Committee will be considered for fast-track review by the following partner journals, subject to the authors’ permission.
Key Dates
Registration Fees
| Category | Early Bird by 15 Sep 2026 |
Regular after 15 Sep 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| ITSA Member | USD 230 | USD 280 |
| Non-Member | USD 280 | USD 340 |
| Full-Time Student * | USD 120 | USD 150 |
| Guest Pass | USD 90 | USD 120 |
| Pre-Conference Workshop | — | USD TBC |
| Post-Conference Tour | — | USD TBC |
Registration includes access to all conference sessions, lunches, coffee breaks,
and the Welcome Dinner. Accommodation and travel are not included.
* Student registration requires proof of current full-time enrolment at an accredited institution.