Events
Conferences, workshops, and seminars from the Scholardemia research community.
Fri, Sep 25 · 9:00 AM GMT+1
Global hospitality's path to net positive: Bridging research and reality in sustainable regional development
Commercial accommodation businesses depend on regional ecosystems, public infrastructure, skilled labour and the continuing support of host communities. This webinar examines the development of net-positive hospitality as an approach that moves beyond limiting harm towards restoring ecological systems and strengthening local economies. It considers carbon management, water stewardship, biodiversity, decent work and the retention of tourism income within destinations. Particular attention is given to the difference between measurable operational improvement and broad corporate claims that cannot be independently substantiated. Panellists will evaluate methods for establishing baselines grounded in scientific evidence, examining supply chains and reporting environmental, social and governance outcomes. The discussion will consider how organisational boundaries affect reported results and how operators can account for indirect impacts that occur through energy, food, construction, transport and outsourced services. It will also examine the regional political economy of hospitality by asking who defines sustainability priorities, who receives the benefits of investment and which groups bear environmental or social costs. Participants will learn how to assess institutional claims against transparent evidence, realistic timescales and clearly defined responsibilities. The session will introduce practical questions for identifying greenwashing, evaluating progress over the long term and designing partnerships among businesses, public authorities and community organisations. By connecting research with operational decision-making, the webinar will help delegates determine whether a proposed initiative creates additional ecological and social value or merely presents existing activity in more favourable language. It will also support more precise dialogue between scholars, practitioners, investors and regional public policymakers during implementation.
Zoom link to be confirmed
Free · Webinar
Fri, Oct 2 · 9:00 AM GMT+1
Beyond greenwashing: Aligning consumer ethics with corporate sustainability in hospitality marketing
Consumer research consistently records strong support for sustainable travel, yet purchasing decisions remain shaped by price, convenience, habit and limited access to reliable information. This webinar examines how environmental labels, marketing narratives and service design influence guest trust and brand credibility. It considers the gap between stated ethical preferences and actual behaviour without treating consumers as solely responsible for changing the tourism system. Ethical marketing should support informed choice while recognising that businesses retain responsibility for the environmental and social consequences of their operations. Panellists will explore how specific claims, comparable impact measures and verification by independent parties can strengthen confidence in hospitality brands. The discussion will examine the relationship between marketing and operations, including how evidence should be gathered before a claim is published and how organisations should communicate when targets are delayed or missed. Attention will also be given to selective disclosure, vague future commitments and the use of imagery or language that creates an impression of performance beyond what available evidence supports. Participants will receive a structured framework for assessing whether promotional communications are clear, relevant and proportionate to verified achievements. They will learn to identify the scope of a claim, test the quality of supporting evidence and distinguish meaningful progress from routine compliance. The session will also consider how corrective communication, accessible reporting and credible complaints procedures can protect consumer agency. These tools will help researchers and practitioners align sustainability communication with accountable corporate practice rather than relying on aspiration alone. This strengthens trust across markets.
Zoom link to be confirmed
Free · Webinar
Fri, Oct 9 · 1:00 PM GMT+1
Climate-resilient tourism: From academic models to on-the-ground innovation in luxury eco-resorts
Luxury eco-resorts face growing exposure to extreme weather, heat stress, freshwater scarcity, coastal erosion, wildfire and ecological decline. This webinar examines how climate projections and local environmental knowledge can inform decisions about buildings, energy systems, water collection, food provision, biodiversity protection and emergency planning. It will distinguish climate resilience from short-term crisis response by considering how investments perform across several plausible futures and whether they protect essential services when environmental conditions exceed historical expectations. Panellists will evaluate scenario modelling, ecosystem restoration, passive design, resource efficiency and other forms of adaptation alongside the operational requirements of luxury service. The discussion will address the limits of forecasting and the need to revise plans as evidence changes. It will also consider dependencies beyond resort boundaries, including municipal water, transport networks, local food systems and emergency services. Particular attention will be given to adaptations that secure private assets by increasing costs, reducing access or transferring risk to neighbouring communities. Participants will learn to assess proposed measures according to their scientific basis, practical feasibility, distributional effects and capacity to reduce risk over the long term. The session will introduce criteria for comparing infrastructure investment with adaptation based on natural processes and for identifying situations in which both are required. Delegates will also consider how monitoring, community participation and transparent thresholds can guide future decisions. The objective is to connect climate research with responsible resort management while preserving ecological integrity and local wellbeing. This supports investment choices that remain defensible as environmental conditions change.
Zoom link to be confirmed
Free · Webinar
Fri, Oct 16 · 9:00 AM GMT+1
Cultural tourism at a crossroads: Authentic Indigenous experiences, commodification and critical dialogue
Cultural tourism can support heritage continuity, community income and dialogue between visitors and hosts. It can also detach sacred practices, knowledge and historical narratives from the Indigenous communities that hold authority over them. This webinar places Indigenous self-determination at the centre of destination governance. It examines who decides what may be shared, how cultural material is interpreted and represented, and whether commercial activity reflects the priorities of cultural custodians rather than the expectations of external operators. Panellists will challenge universal definitions of authenticity and consider how they can restrict living cultures or reward performances designed for outside approval. The discussion will examine free, prior and informed consent, intellectual property, control of images and recordings, fair remuneration, visitor conduct and the right to protect sensitive knowledge. It will recognise that Indigenous communities are diverse political and cultural entities with different governance structures, development aims and views about tourism. Consultation alone will not be treated as evidence of meaningful authority. Participants will gain a practical framework for evaluating whether partnerships embody reciprocity, accountability and continuing consent. They will learn to examine ownership, contractual power, revenue distribution and access to remedies when agreements are breached. The session will also consider how tourism organisations can support community-led interpretation without imposing external measures of success. Its central question is whether Indigenous peoples retain genuine authority to make decisions about cultural representation, commercial participation and the future development of their lands and heritage. This places cultural authority above externally imposed measures of commercial success.
Zoom link to be confirmed
Free · Webinar
Fri, Oct 23 · 9:00 AM GMT+1
The smart tourism revolution: AI, e-tourism and the future of personalised travel experiences
Artificial intelligence and digital platforms increasingly shape how travellers search for destinations, compare services, make bookings and navigate unfamiliar places. This webinar examines recommendation systems, conversational agents and connected visitor services as components of smart tourism. It asks when personalisation improves relevance, accessibility and convenience, and when algorithmic filtering narrows discovery or gives priority to commercial interests. The discussion will treat digital tourism as a system of governance and infrastructure rather than simply a collection of useful consumer applications. Panellists will examine privacy, informed consent, algorithmic bias, model explainability and unequal access to digital services. They will consider how data are collected across platforms, how inferred preferences affect later recommendations and whether visitors can meaningfully challenge automated outcomes. The session will also address platform power by asking who owns tourism data, which businesses can access digital markets and how the value created from visitor activity is distributed within destinations. Human oversight will be considered in relation to both routine decisions and service failures. Participants will receive a practical checklist for evaluating whether a digital tourism service is useful, inclusive and accountable. They will learn to identify the purpose of an automated system, assess whether its data practices are proportionate and determine where human judgement remains necessary. The webinar will also introduce questions about procurement, accessibility testing, audit rights and routes for correction. These criteria will help destinations and operators adopt digital innovation without weakening consumer autonomy, local economic participation or public responsibility. This supports innovation while preserving legitimate public oversight.
Zoom link to be confirmed
Free · Webinar
Fri, Oct 30 · 9:00 AM GMT
Nudging for good: Can marketing science and responsible tour operations drive pro-environmental tourist behaviour?
Choice architecture, default settings, timely feedback and messages about social norms can encourage travellers to select options with lower environmental impacts. This webinar critically examines the evidence for such interventions in tourism and hospitality. It considers where behavioural nudges are effective, how outcomes should be measured and when persuasive design becomes manipulation. The session will distinguish changes in stated intention from verified changes in behaviour and environmental performance, with attention to whether effects persist after an intervention ends. Panellists will emphasise that communication cannot compensate for the absence of sustainable infrastructure or affordable alternatives. The discussion will connect behavioural research with itinerary design, transport, food procurement, waste systems, staff practice and the physical management of facilities. It will explore how context, culture and economic constraints influence responses to an intervention. Potential rebound effects will also be examined, including cases in which efficiency or moral reassurance encourages additional consumption that reduces or reverses the expected environmental benefit. Participants will learn how to define a behavioural problem, select an ethically appropriate intervention and establish a credible comparison for evaluation. They will consider transparency, informed choice, accessibility and the distribution of responsibility between guests and operators. The webinar will provide criteria for deciding when a nudge should be revised, withdrawn or replaced by a structural measure. Delegates will leave with a method for designing testable interventions that respect visitor autonomy while contributing to clearly specified and measurable environmental objectives. This evidence can inform wider operational changes and more effective environmental policy over time.
Zoom link to be confirmed
Free · Webinar
Fri, Nov 6 · 9:00 AM GMT
Decarbonising travel: The future of sustainable transport and its impact on mass tourism
Mass tourism depends on accessible and affordable transport, yet transport accounts for a substantial share of tourism-related greenhouse gas emissions. This webinar compares pathways for decarbonisation across aviation, rail, maritime travel and road transport. It examines technological efficiency, electrification, alternative fuels, operational improvement and measures that influence demand. The analysis will distinguish reductions in emissions per passenger from absolute reductions across the transport system, since growth in travel can outweigh gains achieved through more efficient vehicles or operations. Panellists will debate the technical readiness, infrastructure requirements and likely timescales associated with competing strategies. The discussion will consider carbon pricing, taxation, public investment, service regulation and integrated transport planning. It will also examine the position of island states, remote regions and communities whose economies depend heavily on long-distance arrivals. Equity will remain central, including the distribution of transition costs among frequent travellers, occasional travellers, workers, businesses and residents with limited alternatives to existing modes of transport. Participants will gain a framework for comparing transport strategies according to their carbon reduction potential, feasibility, public cost and social consequences. They will learn to question assumptions about future demand, fuel availability and the pace of fleet replacement. The session will also consider how policy packages can combine technology with modal shift and more deliberate management of travel volumes. This approach will enable delegates to evaluate whether a proposed pathway supports a fair transition or postpones difficult decisions through optimistic projections. This enables transport policy to reflect both climate evidence and destination realities.
Zoom link to be confirmed
Free · Webinar
Fri, Nov 13 · 9:00 AM GMT
Tech-enhanced hospitality: Balancing AI-driven efficiency with the human touch in luxury service
Artificial intelligence can support reservations, guest communication, pricing, room allocation, housekeeping and service recovery. Luxury hospitality, however, continues to depend on empathy, professional judgement, cultural understanding and discreet personal care. This webinar examines the operational boundaries between automated tasks, technology that assists employees and interactions that should remain under direct human control. It asks how organisations can improve efficiency without reducing service to a sequence of transactions or weakening the relationships on which guest trust depends. Panellists will consider employee workload, workplace surveillance, guest privacy, algorithmic bias and responsibility when systems produce errors. The discussion will examine whether automation expands staff capacity for meaningful service or imposes rigid workflows that restrict professional discretion. It will also address the design of escalation routes, the quality of training data and the need for employees and guests to understand when they are interacting with an automated system. Productivity claims will be assessed alongside staff wellbeing and service inclusion. Participants will learn to evaluate technology investments through a balanced set of operational, human and ethical measures. These include service quality, employee autonomy, accessibility, privacy, reliability and the capacity to correct harmful outcomes. The session will provide questions for determining which decisions require human approval and how governance should be maintained after procurement. Delegates will be equipped to distinguish responsible augmentation from automation introduced primarily to reduce labour costs or project an image of innovation without demonstrable benefit. This framework supports innovation that respects the expertise, security and dignity of hospitality work throughout organisational change.
Zoom link to be confirmed
Free · Webinar
Fri, Nov 20 · 3:00 PM GMT
The soul of tourism: Anthropological perspectives on cultivating true destination stewardship
Tourism brings residents, visitors and service workers into social relationships shaped by history, identity, memory and unequal power. This webinar uses anthropological perspectives to examine destination stewardship beyond visitor numbers and conventional economic indicators. It considers place attachment, living heritage, narrative authority and everyday uses of public space. The session will explore how tourism changes the meanings associated with a destination and how the expectations of visitors can influence which local practices, stories and identities become visible or commercially valued. Panellists will ask who belongs in destination planning, whose knowledge is recognised and how authority is exercised across public institutions, businesses and community organisations. The discussion will examine the tourist gaze, informal cultural labour and the transformation of neighbourhoods into spaces of consumption. It will avoid romanticising communities or treating culture as a fixed commodity. Internal disagreement, social change and differences in access to political influence will be recognised as important elements of any credible account of stewardship. Participants will gain qualitative methods for listening to different groups and interpreting how people experience tourism development. These methods include ethnographic observation, narrative inquiry, participatory mapping and sustained community dialogue. The webinar will show how such evidence can complement economic and environmental measures without being reduced to a token consultation exercise. Delegates will learn to design governance arrangements that support shared care, public accountability and continuing negotiation over the future of places that are simultaneously homes, workplaces and destinations. This perspective helps ensure that stewardship remains grounded and historically informed in practice.
Zoom link to be confirmed
Free · Webinar
Fri, Nov 27 · 2:00 PM GMT
Beyond satisfaction: How can tourism and hospitality genuinely enhance community quality of life?
Visitor satisfaction and tourism expenditure reveal little about whether destination growth supports the wellbeing of residents. This webinar examines how tourism and hospitality affect housing affordability, employment quality, municipal services, environmental health, public space and local identity. It asks how success should be defined when commercial growth produces different outcomes for property owners, tenants, workers, families and other groups within the same destination. The session will place community quality of life alongside business performance as a central measure of tourism development. Panellists will evaluate resident surveys, distributional economic analysis, participatory research and locally defined indicators of change. The discussion will consider how evidence can identify both aggregate trends and unequal effects that broad averages conceal. It will examine the timing of participation, particularly whether residents can define priorities before investment and infrastructure decisions become difficult to reverse. Attention will also be given to changing attitudes over time and to the danger of assuming that any community speaks with a single voice. Participants will learn to construct a balanced assessment that connects economic benefits with social and environmental costs. They will consider indicators, thresholds and governance processes that allow communities to influence the direction and scale of development. The webinar will also address how hospitality businesses can align employment, procurement and operational decisions with local objectives. Delegates will leave with methods for evaluating trade-offs transparently and for determining whether tourism contributes to community flourishing rather than merely increasing visitor demand or corporate revenue. This approach supports accountable regional decision-making.
Zoom link to be confirmed
Free · Webinar
Fri, Dec 4 · 5:00 PM GMT
Destination marketing in the digital age: From academic theory to global campaign success
Digital platforms enable destination organisations to reach international audiences with exceptional speed and precision. At the same time, fragmented social media environments, commercial creators and algorithmic distribution increasingly shape how places are represented. This webinar examines how destination image theory, consumer psychology and research on place identity can inform effective campaigns without reducing complex communities to simple products. It will consider the relationship between projected brand narratives, visitor expectations and the ways residents understand their own destination. Panellists will move beyond clicks, impressions and follower counts as the principal measures of campaign success. The discussion will assess visitor dispersal, seasonal balance, length of stay, resident sentiment and demand from visitor groups that create greater local value with lower impact. It will also address ethical data use, cultural representation and the responsibilities involved when working with influencers or user-generated content. Campaign objectives will be examined in relation to destination capacity and wider management priorities. Participants will learn how to translate academic research into a clear creative brief, appropriate channel choices and a defensible evaluation plan. They will consider how audience segmentation can be used without relying on discriminatory assumptions or excessive personal data. The session will provide questions for testing whether imagery, language and performance measures reflect the lived realities of a destination. Delegates will be equipped to design marketing that supports strategic public goals and authentic representation rather than pursuing visibility and volume as ends in themselves. This approach connects promotional effectiveness with responsible destination governance and strategic planning.
Zoom link to be confirmed
Free · Webinar
Fri, Dec 11 · 5:00 PM GMT
Persuasion in the digital realm: AI, chatbots and the ethics of influencing traveller choices online
Conversational artificial intelligence, recommendation systems and booking interfaces influence how travellers compare options and make decisions online. This webinar examines defaults, ranking systems, urgency messages, artificial scarcity and natural language interactions. It asks when digital guidance improves comprehension and when it manipulates attention or restricts meaningful choice. The session will consider how design features work together across a booking journey and how apparently minor prompts can shape decisions when users face limited time, complex information or uncertainty. Panellists will analyse the use of behavioural data for personalisation, including whether consent is informed and whether recommendations can be explained or corrected. The discussion will address automated disclosure, sponsored rankings, dynamic pricing and the allocation of responsibility when a system provides misleading advice. It will also consider accessibility for people with different languages, abilities, ages and levels of digital confidence. Ethical assessment will extend beyond interface design to the commercial objectives and data infrastructure that determine system behaviour. Participants will gain systematic criteria for identifying whose interests a digital service advances and where risks of consumer harm may arise. They will learn to examine the evidence behind persuasive features, test whether less intrusive alternatives are available and establish routes for human review. The webinar will also consider monitoring, complaint handling and the withdrawal of features that produce unequal or unintended effects. Delegates will leave with a practical basis for designing or regulating online travel services that remain transparent, accessible and accountable. This supports digital innovation without weakening informed and voluntary consumer choice.
Zoom link to be confirmed
Free · Webinar
Fri, Dec 18 · 9:00 AM GMT
Understanding the modern tourist: Psychological drivers, ethical marketing and managing destination impacts
Travel decisions are shaped by psychological motives that include novelty, belonging, rest, status, identity and personal development. This webinar examines how these motives interact with memory, emotion, social comparison and previous experience. It also considers how media narratives and cultural expectations influence travellers before they arrive. Rather than presenting a single model of the modern tourist, the session will explore how motivations vary across social contexts, stages of life, travel experience and the practical opportunities available to different individuals. Panellists will examine how marketers can use psychological knowledge responsibly without exploiting vulnerability or intensifying pressure on destinations. The discussion will cover truthful representation, communication before arrival and behavioural interventions that make responsible choices easier. It will consider how appeals to exclusivity, authenticity or social status can affect visitor concentration and conduct. Particular attention will be given to the relationship between individual choice and the commercial systems that shape which options are visible, affordable and convenient. Participants will learn to connect consumer research with the physical and social effects of tourism on residents, cultures and ecosystems. They will consider how to define intended behaviours, evaluate communication and monitor outcomes after visitors arrive. The webinar will provide a framework for assessing whether marketing respects autonomy, represents destinations fairly and supports manageable patterns of demand. Delegates will leave better able to apply psychological insight as part of responsible destination management rather than as a mechanism for increasing conversion alone. This ensures that ethical marketing remains consistently connected to measurable destination outcomes over time.
Zoom link to be confirmed
Free · Webinar
Fri, Jan 8, 2027 · 9:00 AM GMT
Ecotourism in action: Balancing sustainable development, resident perceptions and conservation realities
Ecotourism can provide finance for conservation, support local livelihoods and strengthen environmental education. Poorly governed activity can also create waste, disturb wildlife, deplete resources and increase dependence on volatile international markets. This webinar examines the conditions under which ecotourism contributes to sustainable development. It treats conservation outcomes as matters for continuing scientific and social assessment rather than automatic consequences of visiting a natural area or adopting an environmental label. Panellists will evaluate local authority, benefit sharing, Indigenous ecological knowledge and the distribution of access within protected areas. The discussion will recognise that residents may experience conservation measures differently and may hold conflicting views about land use, tourism and development. It will examine visitor limits, zoning, ecological indicators and mechanisms for responding when evidence shows deterioration. Commercial viability will be considered alongside biodiversity, cultural responsibilities and the security of livelihoods beyond tourism. Participants will learn to apply adaptive management principles by setting clear objectives, selecting indicators and reviewing decisions as conditions change. They will consider how to establish credible baselines, identify cumulative impacts and communicate uncertainty. The session will also address transparent governance, independent monitoring and meaningful routes for community influence. Delegates will leave with a framework for determining what works, for whom and under which local conditions, enabling them to distinguish genuine conservation benefit from activity that depends primarily on environmental branding. This approach supports learning across projects while respecting ecological difference and local authority. It also makes failure visible before ecological damage becomes irreversible or community trust is lost.
Zoom link to be confirmed
Free · Webinar
Fri, Jan 15, 2027 · 9:00 AM GMT
The destination lifecycle revisited: Navigating overtourism and fostering sustainable growth in a post-pandemic world
Destinations may experience growth, consolidation, renewal or decline, but their trajectories rarely follow a simple sequence. This webinar revisits destination life cycle theory in relation to overtourism, climate vulnerability and structural changes following the pandemic. It considers how established models can support diagnosis without being treated as fixed predictions. Particular attention will be given to the spatial and seasonal character of tourism pressure, since conditions can differ sharply among neighbourhoods, attractions and resident groups within one destination. Panellists will analyse market diversification, longer seasons, visitor dispersal and destination repositioning. The discussion will ask whether these strategies reduce pressure or move environmental and social costs to places with less capacity to manage them. It will examine housing, infrastructure, public space, ecosystem limits and resident attitudes as evidence of destination health. Growth will be considered as one possible objective rather than an unquestioned measure of success, and alternatives such as stabilisation or managed reduction will be discussed. Participants will gain diagnostic tools for comparing visitor demand with social and ecological capacity. They will learn to identify relevant scales of analysis, establish locally meaningful thresholds and evaluate how interventions affect different communities over time. The session will also consider governance arrangements that allow policy to change when evidence indicates that a strategy is failing. Delegates will be equipped to use life cycle concepts critically while developing destination policies based on resident wellbeing, environmental limits and the quality rather than the volume of tourism activity. This makes theoretical models useful for practical policy decisions.
Zoom link to be confirmed
Free · Webinar
Fri, Jan 22, 2027 · 2:00 PM GMT
Forecasting the future of travel: Economic models, policy impacts and navigating global uncertainties
Forecasts influence hotel investment, transport capacity, workforce planning, municipal budgets and national tourism policy. Geopolitical disruption, economic volatility, public health emergencies and climate shocks demonstrate the limitations of relying on a single estimate of future demand. This webinar examines demand modelling, scenario planning, sensitivity analysis and leading indicators. It will explain how different methods answer different questions and why uncertainty should be represented directly rather than concealed behind an apparently precise headline figure. Panellists will consider data quality, model assumptions, forecasting horizons and the interpretation of probability ranges. The discussion will examine how structural change can be distinguished from temporary market fluctuation and how policy interventions may alter the behaviour that a forecast attempts to predict. Participants will compare baseline projections with alternative scenarios and stress tests. Attention will also be given to missing data, false precision and the organisational pressures that encourage decision makers to favour confident estimates over conditional evidence. Participants will learn practical techniques for embedding forecasts within adaptive planning. They will consider how to document assumptions, identify variables with the greatest influence and set review points as new information becomes available. The session will also address clear communication with investors, public authorities and communities whose decisions may be affected by projected demand. Delegates will leave better able to evaluate model outputs, explain uncertainty and use forecasting as a disciplined aid to judgement rather than a substitute for strategic responsibility. This approach supports decisions that remain proportionate when evidence is incomplete and external conditions are changing rapidly.
Zoom link to be confirmed
Free · Webinar
Fri, Jan 29, 2027 · 2:00 PM GMT
Planning for resilient destinations: Integrating cultural heritage, rural tourism and community-led strategies
Destination resilience requires preparation for long-term change as well as the capacity to respond to immediate disruption. This webinar integrates cultural heritage, rural livelihoods and community leadership within regional planning. It considers resilience as the ability to protect valued assets, maintain essential functions and make deliberate choices about transformation. The session will examine how tourism plans can support continuity without treating communities, landscapes or heritage as static resources preserved primarily for visitor consumption. Panellists will analyse vulnerability mapping, scenario development, municipal infrastructure, seasonal diversification and models of local ownership. The discussion will ask who defines resilience, which risks receive attention and who finances necessary adaptation. It will consider the position of small businesses, cultural institutions and rural residents whose resources and political influence may differ substantially. Local knowledge will be examined alongside technical evidence, with attention to how each can inform priorities, reveal dependencies and challenge assumptions within formal planning processes. Participants will learn how to connect risk assessment with transparent governance and practical implementation. They will consider methods for identifying critical assets, agreeing acceptable levels of change and monitoring whether interventions protect community interests. The webinar will also address conflict among stakeholders and the need for clear responsibilities when plans cross administrative boundaries. Delegates will leave with a framework for developing destination strategies that strengthen local capacity, preserve cultural meaning and support economic adaptation without transferring risk to groups with the least authority or financial protection. This supports resilience as a continuing process rather than a temporary project.
Zoom link to be confirmed
Free · Webinar
Fri, Feb 5, 2027 · 3:00 PM GMT
Heritage on the frontline: Community-based tourism, cultural preservation and the geopolitics of sacred sites
Sacred places and cultural heritage sites embody religious meaning, collective memory, political identity and continuing relationships with land. Tourism can provide income and international recognition, but it can also generate conflict over access, interpretation, commercial activity and visitor conduct. This webinar examines community authority in the governance of sacred sites. It asks how conservation and tourism can proceed without subordinating living cultural obligations to visitor demand or presenting contested histories as simple and settled narratives. Panellists will consider how borders, displacement, armed conflict and competing territorial claims affect heritage protection and community access. The discussion will address consent, local economic retention, visitor orientation and the control of images, stories and ceremonies. It will distinguish consultation from genuine authority and examine who can restrict access when cultural or spiritual responsibilities require it. Attention will also be given to the risks faced by communities when increased visibility exposes sensitive places to damage, surveillance or political appropriation. Participants will gain a framework for evaluating tourism at sacred sites through human dignity, cultural continuity and locally defined values. They will learn to examine governance rights, benefit distribution, safeguarding measures and routes for resolving disputes. The session will also consider how tourism organisations can communicate restrictions clearly and support conservation without claiming ownership of cultural knowledge. Delegates will leave able to assess whether a project strengthens community stewardship or uses heritage primarily as a commercial asset measured by visitor volume. This approach gives cultural responsibility priority over market access and promotional opportunity in every decision.
Zoom link to be confirmed
Free · Webinar
Fri, Feb 12, 2027 · 9:00 AM GMT
The economics of well-being: Crafting tourism policies that benefit destinations, residents and the bottom line
Visitor arrivals, total expenditure and employment figures provide an incomplete account of tourism's value to a destination. This webinar examines economic frameworks that also consider resident wellbeing, environmental degradation, social inclusion and the distribution of income. It asks how public policy can recognise commercial contribution while accounting for costs that do not appear in conventional business measures. The session will connect subjective experience with observable conditions such as housing, public services, employment security and access to environmental resources. Panellists will evaluate extended cost-benefit analysis, distributional assessment and alternative wellbeing frameworks. These approaches will be applied to tourism taxation, infrastructure funding, visitor management and investment incentives. The discussion will consider how assumptions about value, time and affected populations shape the result of an appraisal. It will also examine who receives tourism income, who pays for public capacity and how decision-makers can avoid treating gains to one group as automatic compensation for losses experienced by another. Participants will learn to select indicators that reflect local policy objectives and to combine financial, social and environmental evidence. They will consider methods for identifying hidden costs, testing alternative options and communicating trade-offs to residents and businesses. The webinar will also address the practical limits of monetising cultural or ecological value. Delegates will leave with a methodology for designing tourism policies that support viable enterprise while protecting the community assets and public legitimacy on which profitability depends over the long term. This approach connects economic appraisal with democratic accountability and responsible public finance.
Zoom link to be confirmed
Free · Webinar
Fri, Feb 19, 2027 · 9:00 AM GMT
The certification conundrum: Making responsible tourism marketing and sustainability standards truly effective
The number of environmental labels and sustainability certifications in tourism has expanded, creating uncertainty for travellers and businesses. This webinar examines what makes a certification credible. It considers measurable criteria, independent auditing, transparent results, effective complaints procedures and consequences for non-compliance. The session will distinguish certification of an organisation, property, product or process, since a badge can mislead when its scope is not clear or when consumers assume that it guarantees outcomes beyond those actually assessed. Panellists will explore how operators, marketing agencies and booking platforms should explain the purpose, evidence and limitations of a scheme. The discussion will examine audit frequency, conflicts of interest, public reporting and the treatment of improvement over time. It will also consider the cost and administrative burden faced by smaller enterprises, especially when several overlapping standards are expected. The role of statutory regulation will be assessed in relation to false environmental claims, minimum requirements and the oversight of private certification markets. Participants will gain criteria for comparing schemes according to governance, accessibility and verified operational change. They will learn to identify who sets a standard, who conducts assurance and how affected communities can raise concerns. The webinar will also consider how certification data might inform procurement and consumer choice without replacing direct assessment of performance. Delegates will leave able to distinguish a credible accountability mechanism from promotional branding and to judge whether certification creates meaningful incentives for environmental and social improvement. This supports standards that remain credible to businesses, communities, regulators and travellers.
Zoom link to be confirmed
Free · Webinar
Fri, Feb 26, 2027 · 9:00 AM GMT
Flying towards a greener future: The science, policy and practice of decarbonising aviation in tourism
Aviation enables long-distance tourism but remains difficult to reconcile with the pace and scale of absolute emissions reduction required by climate goals. This webinar examines the atmospheric effects of carbon dioxide and other aviation emissions. It assesses aircraft efficiency, sustainable aviation fuels, hydrogen, electric propulsion and fleet renewal in relation to technical readiness, energy requirements, production capacity and life-cycle emissions. The session will distinguish credible near-term improvements from technologies whose contribution depends on uncertain future infrastructure or deployment. Panellists will evaluate carbon pricing, fuel mandates, research investment, demand management and international regulatory coordination. The discussion will examine the assumptions embedded in industry transition pathways, including projected traffic growth and the availability of low-carbon energy. It will also consider fairness for island states and remote destinations that depend on long-distance access, alongside differences between frequent and occasional travellers. Questions of public subsidy, corporate responsibility and the allocation of scarce alternative fuels will remain central. Participants will gain scientific and policy criteria for comparing aviation sustainability commitments. They will learn to assess whether targets address total climate impact, whether proposed measures can operate at the stated scale and whether implementation dates reflect realistic delivery. The webinar will also consider transparent reporting and the role of interim milestones in identifying delay. Delegates will leave better able to distinguish measurable decarbonisation from claims based on distant innovation, selective accounting or continued growth offset by reductions expected elsewhere. This supports climate decisions grounded in evidence rather than technological optimism alone.
Zoom link to be confirmed
Free · Webinar
Fri, Mar 5, 2027 · 9:00 AM GMT
The emotional core of travel: Connecting psychology, inclusive marketing and socially responsible tourism
Anticipation, identity, belonging and memory are central to the meaning of travel. This webinar examines how promotional imagery, brand narratives and service encounters shape emotional expectations before, during and after a journey. It considers how psychological insight can improve relevance and connection while also creating opportunities to exploit insecurity, aspiration or fear of exclusion. The session will explore differences in experience rather than assuming that a single emotional appeal is appropriate for every traveller or cultural context. Panellists will analyse inclusive marketing in relation to disability, age, gender, ethnicity, sexuality and economic circumstances. The discussion will address accessible information, representative imagery, language choice and the design of services with rather than merely for different users. It will consider tokenism, stereotypes and the use of sensitive personal data for targeting. Attention will also be given to whether public claims of inclusion are supported by accessible booking processes, trained staff and an experience that delivers what the communication promises. Participants will learn to evaluate emotional marketing through autonomy, dignity, accuracy and practical accessibility. They will consider how research can identify exclusion without reducing people to fixed demographic categories. The webinar will provide questions for testing creative work, gathering feedback and responding when a campaign causes unintended harm. Delegates will leave with a framework for developing communication that connects with travellers while remaining accountable to the communities represented, the people invited to participate and the wider social effects of tourism promotion. This approach links persuasive creativity with inclusive service design and institutional responsibility.
Zoom link to be confirmed
Free · Webinar
Fri, Mar 12, 2027 · 3:00 PM GMT
Tourism disrupted: Future scenarios, design thinking and innovating for a climate-changed world
Climate disruption, resource constraints and economic change challenge tourism strategies based on stable seasons, predictable demand and familiar operating conditions. This webinar examines how strategic foresight and scenario planning can help organisations consider several plausible futures. It will show how contrasting scenarios reveal hidden assumptions, expose dependencies and test long-term investment choices. Scenarios will be treated as structured tools for inquiry rather than predictions or narratives selected to justify a preferred organisational strategy. Panellists will demonstrate how design thinking can translate climate evidence into practical responses through observation, problem definition, collaborative development, prototyping and revision. The discussion will consider resilient visitor services, circular operating processes and alternatives to resource-intensive business models. It will also examine power within participatory design, asking whose knowledge influences the problem and who has authority over the resulting intervention. Environmental limits and unequal exposure to climate risk will be included from the beginning rather than added after commercial concepts are developed. Participants will gain a practical process for connecting future scenarios with present decisions. They will learn to identify early signals, test proposals under different conditions and revise assumptions as evidence changes. The session will also consider how residents, workers and local suppliers can participate meaningfully in developing adaptation strategies. Delegates will leave equipped to use foresight and design methods together, creating innovations that remain useful across uncertainty while avoiding solutions that protect visitor experiences by transferring costs or risks to host communities. This approach makes experimentation purposeful, transparent and responsive to public evidence.
Zoom link to be confirmed
Free · Webinar
Fri, Mar 19, 2027 · 9:00 AM GMT
The future of movement: Reimagining tourism mobilities, transport logistics and urban design in a connected world
Visitor movement connects airports, railways, roads, ports, luggage systems, pedestrian routes and local public transport. When these systems are planned separately, tourism can intensify congestion, emissions and unequal access to urban space. This webinar examines tourism mobility as an integrated public and logistical challenge. It considers how coordinated timetables, ticketing, information and urban design can support journeys that are easier to navigate while reducing dependence on resource-intensive forms of transport. Panellists will analyse public transport integration, walking, cycling, smaller forms of mobility and universal physical accessibility. The discussion will consider how residents and visitors share streets, stations and municipal services, particularly during periods of concentrated demand. It will also examine the use of live mobility data, including potential benefits for operations and risks related to surveillance, exclusion and platform control. Safety, affordability and the needs of workers will be assessed alongside convenience for visitors. Participants will learn to evaluate mobility networks through efficiency, equity, resilience, public safety and environmental performance. They will consider how to map complete journeys, identify points of friction and measure whether interventions shift demand or simply move congestion elsewhere. The webinar will also address governance across transport providers and administrative boundaries. Delegates will leave with a framework for assessing connected mobility proposals according to public value and access, enabling tourism movement to be planned as part of everyday urban life rather than as a separate visitor system. This perspective supports transport systems that serve residents and visitors without placing convenience above inclusion, resilience or sustainability.
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Free · Webinar