Call for Papers: ICOT2026 Annual Conference, Mytilene, Greece

The 15th International Conference on Tourism (ICOT2026) will be held in Mytilene, Lesbos Island, Greece, from 24–27 June 2026, under the theme Next-Generation Tourism: Innovation, Sustainability and Traveler Diversity. Abstracts are invited from academics, researchers, practitioners, policy makers, and post-graduate students working across tourism and travel, with submissions open until 21 May 2026.

Building on fourteen previous editions held across China, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Italy, Portugal, Croatia, Cyprus, and Greece, ICOT2026 brings together the international tourism research community to examine how technological advancement, sustainability imperatives, and increasingly diverse traveller demographics are reshaping the industry. From AI-personalised guest experiences and smart destination management to the rise of affluent baby boomers, Generation Z, and emerging middle classes in Asia and Africa, the conference foregrounds the frameworks, sustainability models, and strategies driving next-generation tourism.

Submissions are welcome across a broad range of themes, including sustainability, degrowth and overtourism; innovation in tourism; artificial intelligence in tourism; tourism development, policy and planning; alternative and special forms of tourism; destination and place marketing; tourism education; responsible and regenerative tourism; tourism mobilities; the future of booking and distribution channels; and the economic, social, environmental, and cultural impacts of tourism. The full list of themes is available on the conference website.

If a luxurious hotel set among ugly structures, congestion, and fabricated authenticity is what you have in mind, ICOT2026 is probably not for you. If, on the other hand, you would prefer a conference where history blends with the warmth of hospitality and culture in a traditional old town, this is an event not to be missed. The social programme — included in the registration fee — features a guided walking tour of the old town of Mytilene, a welcome reception at a historic building, a half-day trip, a gala dinner at a traditional restaurant, and a full-day excursion, among other activities. Details are available at iatour.org/icot2026/social-events/.

Abstracts should be 250–350 words, written as a single paragraph without references, and should clearly communicate the objectives, results, significance, and contribution of the work over previous research. The abstract is the sole criterion used by reviewers to determine acceptance for concurrent sessions or poster presentations. Notifications of acceptance and reviewer amendments will be issued on 25 May 2026.

Conference fees begin at €250 for research students and €350 for full registration (early-bird, until 1 June 2026), with late registration rates of €400 and €550 respectively (until 8 June 2026). An accompanying-person rate of €200–€250 is also available for non-academic guests. For registration or any further enquiries, the organising team can be contacted at icot@iatour.org. Further details about the conference are at iatour.org/icot2026/.