Call for Papers: 6th Edition of Mediterranean Tourism Forum – 14th & 15th February 2019, Malta
6th Edition of Mediterranean Tourism Forum, 14th & 15th February 2019, Malta.
Mediterranean STARS: Sustainable Tourism Actions and Renewal Strategies
Following the success of the previous five editions of the Mediterranean Tourism Forum as the focal annual activity of the Mediterranean Tourism Foundation (MTF) it has been decided to widen the scope of the Master Classes to include academic presentations on original research areas on a broad range of travel, tourism and hospitality current and future issues.
The Board of Governors of the Mediterranean Tourism Foundation, which is an affiliate member of the UN-WTO and the Union of the Mediterranean, is pleased to announce the Call for Papers for presentation during its 6th Mediterranean Tourism Forum titled ‘Mediterranean STARS: Sustainable Tourism Actions and Renewal Strategies”.
This two-day event will be held on Thursday 14th and Friday 15th February 2019 at the InterContinental Hotel, St. Julians, Malta.
The choice of research and discussion areas is motivated by the perspective that the outcome and conclusions reached can make a positive difference to tourism in general and to tourism in the Mediterranean region in particular, meaning that it can have a beneficial impact on the residents populating this cradle of human civilization.
Research papers, that can even relate to work in progress, will be selected on the quantum and quality of included innovative and pioneering aspects that can expand the knowledge in these fields of study, as well as deliver a desired positive impact in destinations and enterprises.
Previous editions of the Mediterranean Tourism Forum have concluded that original research is crucial for the development and improvement of all aspects of tourism and services, including the managerial and operational functions of the organisations involved. In this regard, travel, tourism and hospitality research need to critically examine the pillars of sustainable tourism including but not limited to the economic, socio-cultural, and environmental dimensions as also political considerations with the latter focusing on tourism as an instrument of peace between people.
It follows therefore that inter-disciplinary research has an important role to play in understanding the complexities in which the travel and tourism sectors operate and how contemporary sustainability issues affect destinations, globally and regionally. This 6th Mediterranean Tourism Forum, therefore, aims to promote academic and business research in the fields of travel, tourism and hospitality by bringing together researchers, major industry stakeholders and leading global tourism personalities in a unique networking environment. Proposed Topics for Abstract Submissions Abstract submissions are welcome from academics, researchers, early career researchers, and research students in a variety of formats including traditional paper presentations, videos and posters Both conceptual and empirical work are welcome.
The proposed topics can include but are not limited to the following:
- AI and tourism
- Brexit
- Consumer experience
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Crisis management
- Cultural and heritage tourism
- Destination branding
- Distributed ledger technology (Blockchain)
- Events
- Facilitation
- Gender issues
- LGBTIQ+ travel and tourism
- Medical tourism
- Overtourism and carrying capacity
- Religious tourism
- Reputation management
- Sharing economy and residential tourism
- Sport and event tourism
- Tourism policy and planning
- Wellness tourism
Abstract Submission
An abstract of between 400 to 500 words (excluding references) should be submitted. The abstract should include an indication of the aim and objectives of the research, the methodological approach, and the key factual or expected research findings.
The abstract should be submitted via email to Dr Alfred Quintano via email forum@medtourismfoundation.com
In the case of joint authors submissions, it is expected that at least one author should present at the Master Classes.
Key Dates
Deadline for abstract submission: Sunday 6th January 2019
Notification of acceptance: Sunday 20th January 2019
Registration Deadline: Thursday 31st January 2019
Research Forum Dates: 14th and 15th February 2019
Research Symposium Fees
The registration fee is €50.
Fee includes: Forum proceedings, coffee breaks, and lunch. Gala dinner and concert participation fee is €70.
Registration application can be sent to forum@medtourismfoundation.com pending event website finalization.
Publication Opportunities
All abstracts will be included in the Forum proceedings. In addition, abstracts may be selected for full paper development and publication in the following journals:
- Tourism Review
- The Travel Observer
Please Note: For publication consideration in the above journals, the abstract should have already been presented at the Master Classes Forum.
Scientific Committee
Prof Dimitrios Buhalis (chair) Bio note:
Professor Buhalis is the Head of the Department of Tourism and Hospitality, Director of the eTourism Lab and Deputy Director of the International Centre for Tourism and Hospitality Research, at Bournemouth University. He is also the First Vice President of the International Academy for the Study of Tourism, an Executive Board Member of the UN-World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Affiliate Members, and the Editor-in-Chief of the most established Journal in Tourism: Tourism Review.
Prof Taleb Rifai Bio note:
After completing his B.Sc. in Architectural Engineering from the University of Cairo, Prof Rifai attained a Masters degree in Engineering and Architecture from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He received his PhD from the University of Pennsylvania. From 1973 to 1993, Dr Rifai was a professor of Architecture at the University of Jordan. He was appointed Jordanian Minister of Planning and International Cooperation and subsequently Minister of Information. In 2001, his portfolio was expanded to include the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquity. As Minister for Tourism, he was the Chairman of the Jordan Tourism Board, President of the Amman School for Tourism and Hospitality. He held the position of Assistant Director-General of the International Labour Organization and In 2001 he was elected Chairman of the Executive Council of the UNWTO.
Prof Cláudia Ribeiro de Almeida Bio note:
Prof Cláudia Ribeiro de Almeida is full Professor of Tourism Studies at the University of the Algarve, Portugal, and visiting lecturer in a number of leading universities in Europe. She holds a PhD from the University of Aveiro and won a PhD Business Scholarship from the Portuguese Government and from ANA, Portuguese Airports. She graduated with a Masters Degree in Total Quality Management in Service industries from the Universidad Politécnica da Cataluña. She has published extensively particularly in the field of air transport and residential tourism.
Dr Alfred Quintano Bio note:
Dr Quintano is a Malta-based senior consultant in Aviation and Tourism with far reaching experience as a travel and tourism practioner and as an academic. He is a past lecturer at the Institute for Tourism, Travel and Culture at the University of Malta lecturing on Tourism, Hospitality, and Transportation Management, Current Issues and Tourism Policy & Planning. As part of his doctoral studies, he defended a 5 PhD thesis on Multi-criteria decision analysis for superior hotels at the University of Portsmouth having previously obtained an MBA from Maastricht School of Management and a BA (Hons) in Economics from the University of Malta. He came to academia following senior management positions in travel and tourism first with Scandinavian Airlines and later with Air Malta where he set-up and managed its Charter Division and its Hospitality Division entrusted with the management of three major hotels in Malta. He left the airline to join a major hotel chain as Director of Strategic Management before joining academia. Dr Quintano has published extensively on air transport management and decision analysis in the hospitality industry.
For aditional informations please contact Dr Alfred Quintano via email forum@medtourismfoundation.com