Annals of Tourism Research Empirical Insights, an Elsevier open access journal, is inviting submissions for a special issue titled “Null Results & Failed Experiments in Tourism Research.” The deadline for full manuscripts is 30 April 2027.

The special issue welcomes methodologically rigorous tourism studies reporting null, statistically non-significant, counter-intuitive or disconfirming findings. It aims to address publication bias favouring statistically significant outcomes and findings that support researchers’ hypotheses, giving greater visibility to evidence that might otherwise remain unpublished.

Dr Richard T. R. Qiu, from the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, serves as Guest Editor. Submissions will be assessed primarily on their research design, theoretical foundations, methodological rigour and the clarity of the lessons they offer. Authors should submit complete manuscripts directly; there is no preliminary abstract submission stage.

Supporting materials for review must include datasets, estimation code and relevant data collection instruments, such as interview protocols or questionnaires. Providing these materials for assessment does not automatically require their public release following acceptance.

According to the invitation, manuscripts proceeding to external review will be evaluated by at least two independent specialists. Papers that do not meet the journal’s scope or submission guidelines may be rejected during initial editorial screening.

Authors may qualify for institutional publication discounts, with applicable pricing determined after acceptance.

Further information about the scope and submission requirements is available through the official call for papers.