The 45th Annual Conference of the International Society of Travel and Tourism Educators (ISTTE) will take place on 21–23 October 2026 at Breda University of Applied Sciences (BUas) in the Netherlands. The event will bring together educators, researchers, graduate students and industry practitioners to discuss developments in tourism education and research.
Under the theme “Digital, Responsible, Resilient: Evolving Skills in Tourism Education and Research,” the conference will examine the competencies needed to respond to technological change, sustainability challenges and uncertainty. Its focus encompasses artificial intelligence, data analytics, regenerative tourism, ethics, social responsibility and crisis management.
The programme includes keynotes, research presentations, workshops and panel discussions. Michael Siebers, marketing strategist at the Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions, will explore the future of Dutch tourism towards 2035. Professor Greg Richards is also scheduled to deliver a keynote. Other sessions will address AI-assisted curriculum design, career development, experiential learning and the changing role of educators.
An industry panel will examine human resources and careers, while a roundtable session will encourage discussion of classroom AI, curriculum design and assessment.
The gathering coincides with three milestones: the 45th ISTTE Annual Conference, the 25th anniversary of the Journal of Teaching in Travel & Tourism, and the 60th anniversary of BUas. It follows the separate “Teaching and Learning with AI in Europe” event, hosted at BUas on 19–20 October 2026 and co-organised with the University of Central Florida.
Conference at a Glance
