Wakayama University’s Center for Tourism Research (CTR) is offering a free international webinar series to support graduate students and early-career researchers in tourism, hospitality and cultural heritage. The next session will take place on 16 November 2026, from 16:30 to 17:45 Japan Standard Time (GMT+9).

Titled “The Future of Tourism Research,” the series provides opportunities to present completed studies, ongoing projects and research proposals. It aims to help participants refine their ideas and prepare presentations and publications for international academic audiences.

The November session will feature three speakers. Professor Gomaa Abdel-Maksoud, from the Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology, will discuss conservation treatments for organic heritage materials. Dr Sait Durgun, from Breda University of Applied Sciences, will explore how brain activity measurements can reveal the relaxation and psychological recovery associated with virtual reality tourism. Dr Passent Chahine, from Pharos University, will examine digital documentation and the virtual reunification of dispersed artefacts from the submerged archaeological site of Thonis-Heracleion.

The programme runs from October 2026 to February 2027, combining five webinars with a special workshop. On 4 February 2027, Professor Perry Hobson of Bond University will lead a session on academic publishing, offering an editor’s perspective on initial steps and common pitfalls. Presentations are delivered in English and followed by discussion.

Participants can attend through Zoom or in person at Wakayama University’s West Building 1. Advance registration is required, with capacity limited to 100 online participants and 10 on-site attendees. Participation is free.

Further information, presentation outlines and registration links are available on the Wakayama University event page.