Researchers, academics, consultants and tourism professionals from around the world are invited to participate in the 9th International Conference on Tourism Research (ICTR 2026), which will take place at Universidade Lusófona in Lisbon, Portugal, on 16–17 April 2026. The conference has established itself as an important international forum for discussing the latest developments, challenges and innovations in tourism research.
Organized in partnership with Universidade Lusófona and Academic Conferences International, ICTR 2026 aims to foster academic and professional dialogue on the diverse dimensions of tourism, bringing together experts from disciplines such as tourism management, hospitality, economics, sociology, geography, environmental studies and technology. The conference encourages research that contributes to the sustainable development of tourism while strengthening the connection between theory and practice.
According to the organizers, tourism continues to evolve rapidly in response to global economic, social, technological and environmental changes. ICTR 2026 will provide a platform for presenting academic papers, case studies, work-in-progress reports, posters and doctoral research addressing contemporary tourism issues and emerging trends.
The conference is characterized by its broad interdisciplinary scope and seeks to deepen understanding of tourism as a complex phenomenon with economic, social, cultural and environmental implications. Topics expected to be discussed include sustainable tourism development, destination management, tourism technology, hospitality innovation, cultural tourism, visitor experiences, tourism policy, tourism marketing and digital transformation.
ICTR 2026 will feature keynote presentations from internationally recognized scholars, including Dr. Álvaro Dias of ISTCE-ILU and Dr. Tânia Gaspar of Lusófona University. Their presentations are expected to address current tourism challenges and future directions for research and industry practice.
A distinctive aspect of the conference is its support for emerging researchers. Awards will be presented for the Best PhD Paper and Best Poster, while doctoral researchers are encouraged to showcase their work and engage with experienced scholars from around the world. The event will also host the Teaching Tourism and Hospitality Excellence Awards, recognizing innovation and best practices in tourism and hospitality education.
The proceedings of the conference will be published in open-access format, providing global visibility for accepted research and contributing to ongoing discussions among academics, policymakers and tourism practitioners. Previous editions have attracted participants from numerous countries and have generated research on topics ranging from artificial intelligence and virtual reality in tourism to cultural heritage preservation, destination resilience and sustainable tourism governance.
Hosted in Lisbon, one of Europe’s most dynamic tourism destinations, ICTR 2026 is expected to provide valuable opportunities for international networking, collaboration and knowledge exchange. Organizers believe the conference will play an important role in advancing tourism research and supporting the sustainable development of the tourism sector worldwide.
Conference at a Glance
Event: 9th International Conference on Tourism Research (ICTR 2026)
Dates: 16–17 April 2026
Venue: Universidade Lusófona
Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Organizers: Academic Conferences International and Universidade Lusófona
Keynote Speakers: Dr. Álvaro Dias and Dr. Tânia Gaspar
Participants: Researchers, academics, consultants, doctoral students and tourism professionals
Main Topics: Sustainable tourism, destination management, tourism technology, hospitality, tourism policy, visitor experiences, cultural tourism and tourism innovation
Special Features: Best PhD Paper Award, Best Poster Award and Teaching Tourism & Hospitality Excellence Awards.
