esearchers, academics, tourism professionals and policymakers from around the world are invited to participate in the 11th International Conference on Tourism & Leisure Studies, which will take place at the Department of Tourism Management, University of Patras, Greece, from 15–17 June 2026. The conference will be held in a hybrid format, enabling both in-person and online participation.

Organized by the Tourism & Leisure Studies Research Network, the conference serves as an international platform for exploring the economic, cultural and organizational dimensions of tourism and leisure. Since its establishment, the network has sought to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration among scholars, practitioners and institutions working in tourism and related fields.

The 2026 edition will be held under the special theme:

“Pathways to Resilience: Sustainable Practices in Tourism and Leisure.”

According to the organizers, the conference will examine how destinations, businesses and communities can build resilience in response to climate change, geopolitical uncertainty, changing visitor expectations and the rapid emergence of new technologies. Discussions will focus on sustainable tourism practices, responsible travel, alternative tourism models and the opportunities and challenges created by artificial intelligence and digital transformation.

The scientific program is structured around four principal themes:

• Changing Dimensions of Contemporary Tourism
• Changing Dimensions of Contemporary Leisure
• Tourism and Leisure Industries
• Critical Issues in Tourism and Leisure Studies

The conference will feature plenary sessions and expert panels with internationally recognized scholars. Confirmed keynote speakers include Professor Dimitrios Buhalis of Bournemouth University Business School, who will address smart tourism, artificial intelligence and metaverse transformations; Dr. Aris Ikkos, Research Director of the Institute of the Greek Tourism Confederation (INSETE), who will discuss sustainability through the lens of Greek tourism data; and Professor Vicky Katsoni of the University of West Attica, who will explore the relationship between artificial intelligence, cultural tourism and regenerative value creation.

The conference will be chaired by Associate Professor Apostolos Rafailidis, Head of the Department of Tourism Management at the University of Patras. The Tourism & Leisure Studies Research Network is led by Professor Esmeralda Crespo Almendros and Professor Ana Isabel Polo-Peña of the University of Granada, with Associate Professor Carolin Lusby of Florida International University serving among the network’s academic leaders.

A distinctive feature of the event is its integrated hybrid model, which allows participants to engage through live presentations, workshops, poster sessions, colloquia and digital discussion platforms. The organizers emphasize that the format is designed to encourage continuous scholarly exchange before, during and after the conference through the CGScholar knowledge-sharing environment.

The conference is expected to attract participants from universities, research institutes, tourism organizations and public agencies worldwide. Organizers believe the event will contribute to advancing international dialogue on sustainability, resilience and innovation at a time when tourism destinations are increasingly seeking strategies to adapt to global change while maintaining long-term competitiveness.

Conference at a Glance

• Event: 11th International Conference on Tourism & Leisure Studies
• Theme: Pathways to Resilience: Sustainable Practices in Tourism and Leisure
• Dates: 15–17 June 2026
• Venue: Department of Tourism Management, University of Patras
• Location: Patras, Greece
• Format: Hybrid (In-Person and Online)
• Organizer: Tourism & Leisure Studies Research Network
• Host Institution: University of Patras
• Key Topics: Sustainable tourism, resilience, leisure studies, tourism industries, responsible travel, artificial intelligence and destination innovation.