The Mediterranean Tourism Forum and Research Conference 2026 will bring researchers, policymakers, tourism professionals, industry representatives and university students together at the Hilton Malta from 24 to 27 November 2026. Organised by the Mediterranean Tourism Foundation, the four-day programme will combine a research-writing retreat, an academic conference, a student competition and hackathon, and the 11th Mediterranean Tourism Forum plenary.

The Mediterranean Tourism Research Writing Retreat will be held on 24 November. Directed by Professor Dimitrios Buhalis, the full-day retreat will help established and early-career researchers develop interdisciplinary projects and publication-oriented collaborations. Its principal themes are regenerative and sustainable tourism; policy, planning and strategy; and artificial intelligence and smart technology.

The research and policy conference will continue on 25–26 November with research presentations, invited lectures, workshops, BRAIN Think Tanks and dialogue between academics, policymakers and industry representatives. Its programme will examine evidence-based approaches to sustainable and regenerative tourism, Mediterranean regional development, destination competitiveness, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, tourism economics, workforce development, governance and crisis resilience.

Authors are invited to submit structured extended abstracts of no more than 1,000 words by 30 September 2026. Decisions will be communicated by 1 October, and early-bird registration will close on 30 October. Accepted abstracts will be included in an ISBN-bearing conference proceedings volume, provided that at least one author registers and attends the conference. Authors may also develop full articles of 6,000–8,000 words for submission to a planned thematic issue of Tourism Review, subject to the journal’s independent editorial and peer-review procedures.

Student Competition and Hackathon

The Mediterranean Tourism Future Talent Competition and Hackathon 2026 will involve undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students from the Mediterranean region and beyond. The theme of the university team competition is “Reimagining Mediterranean Tourism Futures.”

University teams of three to six students will develop research-informed and implementable proposals addressing regenerative tourism, the blue economy, artificial intelligence, smart destinations, policy and governance, culture and heritage, talent development or emerging tourism trends. Hackathon participants will work in multinational and multidisciplinary teams of five to seven people to develop practical solutions relating to Mediterranean heritage tourism.

The deadline for submitting an intention to participate is 30 September 2026. Complete competition documents must be submitted by 26 October, and team registration must be completed by 5 November. Competition presentations and the hackathon launch will take place on 24 November, the hackathon finals on 26 November, and the awards ceremony on 27 November.

Variety Cruises and Lavazza are listed as sponsors of the student competition and hackathon. Awards will recognise undergraduate and postgraduate policy proposals, innovation in Mediterranean tourism, policy-impact potential and other contributions selected by the international jury.

The programme will conclude on 27 November 2026 with the plenary and masterclasses of the 11th Mediterranean Tourism Forum, bringing together participants from the academic, public and private sectors.

Further details are available from the Mediterranean Tourism Research Conference, Research Writing Retreat, Future Talent Competition and Hackathon and Mediterranean Tourism Forum websites.

Conference at a Glance

• Event: Mediterranean Tourism Forum and Research Conference 2026

• Organizer: Mediterranean Tourism Foundation

• Dates: 24–27 November 2026

• Venue: Hilton Malta, Malta

• Research Writing Retreat: 24 November 2026

• Mediterranean Tourism Research Conference: 25–26 November 2026

• Future Talent Competition and Hackathon: 24–27 November 2026

• 11th Mediterranean Tourism Forum Plenary: 27 November 2026

• Research Conference Abstract Deadline: 30 September 2026

• Decision Notification: By 1 October 2026

• Early-Bird Registration Deadline: 30 October 2026

• Extended Abstract Length: Maximum 1,000 words, excluding references

• Submission Email: medtourismconf@gmail.com

• Proceedings: Accepted extended abstracts will be published in an ISBN-bearing conference proceedings volume, subject to author registration and attendance

• Journal Opportunity: Full papers may be submitted for consideration for a thematic issue of Tourism Review

• Competition Theme: Reimagining Mediterranean Tourism Futures

• Competition Eligibility: Undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students enrolled at higher-education institutions

• University Team Size: Three to six students, supported by an academic mentor or faculty supervisor

• Hackathon Team Size: Five to seven multinational and multidisciplinary participants

• Intention-to-Submit Deadline: 30 September 2026

• Competition Submission Deadline: 26 October 2026

• Team Registration Deadline: 5 November 2026

• Competition Sponsors: Variety Cruises and Lavazza

• Conference Chair: Professor Dimitrios Buhalis, Bournemouth University

• Co-Chairs: Marie Louise Mangion, University of Malta; Filipa Brandão, University of Aveiro; and Leonidas Efthymiou, University of Nicosia

• Main Focus: Sustainable and regenerative tourism, artificial intelligence, smart destinations, tourism economics and forecasting, governance, regional development, cultural heritage, gastronomy, innovation, workforce development, inclusion and destination resilience

• Competition Contact: dbuhalis@bournemouth.ac.uk

• Website: mediterraneantourismresearch.com