THInC

The Lusófona University (Portugal) and the Coventry University (United Kingdom) are presently organising the 1st Edition of the Tourism and Hospitality International Conference (THInC2021), to be held on 2021, May 19th-21st. The first edition of this conference will focus on “CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND TOURISM FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT”. The main aim of the event will be that of promoting international debate on issues relating to cultural diversity and its link to tourism development. By doing so we aim to give an impulse to the scientific research in this field and, on the other side, to raise awareness about the need for models of cooperation between all stakeholders to safeguard and enhance cultural diversity and facilitate the exchange of knowledge through innovative tourism practices based on cultural diversity and sustainable development. Scholars, practitioners and students from all over the world will exchange information both on academic advances and innovative practices.

Cultural diversity, as a source of exchange, innovation and creativity, is as necessary as services or infrastructure for the development of tourism destination. Tourism thus became not only one of the fastest growing sectors, but also an activity with the potential of promoting social cohesion and understanding at global level, as well as a powerful creative force that can contribute to mutual cultural enrichment, to the consolidation of the culture of peace and to the prosperity of people. In this sense, and considering the general principles contained in the conventions and the international declarations such as the Declaration on Cultural Diversity (2001); UNESCO Conventions for the Safeguarding of the Cultural and Natural Tangible (1972) and intangible (2003) Heritage; the UNWTO Code of Ethics for Tourism and the principles underlining by the Sustainable Development Goals in the UN Agenda 2030, and taking into account as well the epochal opportunity that the current global crises is presenting to review the paradigms of tourism development, the THInC2021 will explore and promote among the industry and the academia the debate on the association of Cultural Diversity and Tourism for Community Development.