Call for Papers – ICDES 2027, Milan

ICDES 2027, the International Conference on Destinations, Events and Sports, takes place from 6 to 9 June 2027 at IULM University in Milan, Italy, under the theme Resilience, Regeneration, Connections and Creativity.

Building on previous editions, the 2027 conference advances critical reflection on the role of destinations, events, and sports as drivers of tourism development. The focus is on the capabilities, processes, and collaborations required to foster sustainable, resilient, and regenerative tourism futures in a context shaped by global challenges and rapid change. Scholars, researchers, and practitioners from diverse disciplines are invited to engage in interdisciplinary dialogue spanning academia, industry, and institutions. The conference is hosted by IULM University in partnership with Hokkaido University, Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida, and Doshin EC.

Extended abstracts of 750 words are submitted via EasyChair. All submissions undergo double-blind review by the Scientific Committee. Authors of selected abstracts may be invited to submit a full paper to one of seven partner journals for expedited review. Abstracts must be written in English and should include the purpose of the study, core literature, findings or original contribution, and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Conference topics

Research areas

Nine conference topic areas

The conference welcomes contributions spanning a wide range of themes. A full list of sub-topics within each area is available on the conference website.

1 Mega-events: governance, legacy and sustainable development Re-thinking large-scale events, their actors, territories, networks, and long-term impacts on sustainable territorial development.
2 Sports, innovation and regenerative development The role of sports in inclusion, environmental sustainability, and regional development, alongside innovation in sports tourism.
3 Geopolitical dynamics, crisis and resilience New crisis management frameworks, geopolitical volatility, and resilience-building strategies in tourism systems.
4 Sustainable and regenerative destination management Responsible destination governance, overtourism, community engagement, and the transition to regenerative models.
5 Marketing, consumer behaviour and digital transformation Social media analytics, digital marketing strategies, changing consumer behaviour, and the role of data in destination and event marketing.
6 Luxury, lifestyle and fashion in tourism and hospitality Intersections between luxury hospitality, lifestyle trends, fashion tourism, and high-end consumer experience.
7 Cultural and creative industries Co-creation, place branding, creative ecosystems, and the relationship between cultural production and destination identity.
8 Technology and innovation AI, big data, immersive experiences, new business models, and digital innovation in destinations, events, and sports contexts.
9 Tourism businesses, SMEs and family firms Resilience, entrepreneurship, workforce well-being, and the strategic challenges facing smaller operators in the tourism and hospitality sector.

Contributions are accepted as keynotes from industry and academia, academic research abstracts, and abstracts from industry and institutions. Each submitted abstract undergoes double-blind review.

Key dates

Important dates

ICDES 2027 timeline

All abstracts must be submitted in English via EasyChair and will undergo double-blind review. A maximum of two submissions per person is permitted.

1 Abstract submission deadline 31 October 2026 Extended abstracts of 750 words, excluding references, submitted via EasyChair. No author-identifying information should appear in the abstract.
2 Notification of acceptance 20 December 2026 Authors of accepted abstracts are notified and, where relevant, invited to submit a full paper to a partner journal for expedited review.
3 Early registration opens From 1 February 2027 At least one author per accepted submission must register for the conference and deliver an in-person presentation.
4 Conference dates 6–9 June 2027 IULM University, Milan, Italy. Contact: icdes2027@iulm.it

Acceptance for publication in a partner journal is not guaranteed by invitation to submit; all full papers undergo the standard journal review process.

Partner journals

Authors of selected abstracts may be invited to submit a full paper to one of the following journals for an expedited review process:

Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research
Current Issues in Tourism
Event Management
Journal of Destination Marketing & Management
Journal of Sport & Tourism
Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing
Tourism Geographies

ICDES 2027 Conference Website icdes.org/2027→