ATLAS Annual Conference 2024 Leisure & Tourism 2030: Navigating the Future

This scientific conference is themed 'Leisure & Tourism 2030: Navigating the future' and builds on the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). This agenda outlines a global framework to end poverty, combat inequality and injustice, and solve climate change by 2030. UNWTO has also defined a clear and consistent sector-wide message and approach for climate action over the next decade, aligned with the broader scientific framework and the urgency to act now.

Theme

The ATLAS Annual Conference 2024 "Leisure & Tourism 2030: Navigating the Future" aims to bring together researchers, educators and innovators to explore the future of leisure and tourism, and how we can adapt to the changing landscape.

The conference will cover topics such as the impact of technology on travel, the rise of sustainability in leisure and tourism, societal impacts and changing consumer preferences. Speakers will also focus on emerging trends and opportunities, such as the growing interest in (designing) experiences and the emergence of niche markets. The 18 tracks will focus around 7 themes:

1. Sustainability in Leisure & Tourism: How to Build a Greener Future – exploring practical ways to incorporate sustainable practices into leisure and tourism, such as reducing waste, conserving energy, and preserving natural resources.
2. The Future of Technology in Leisure & Tourism: Innovations and Opportunities – focusing on emerging technologies that are changing the industry, such as virtual and augmented reality, blockchain, and AI. How can these technologies be applied in leisure and tourism and how they will shape the future.
3. Adapting to Changing Consumer Preferences – exploring how traveler preferences in leisure and tourism are changing in the post-pandemic era, such as increased interest in off-the-beaten-path destinations, local experiences, events, and outdoor activities. How can businesses adapt to meet these changing preferences.
4. Designing Memorable Experiences – focusing on the importance of creating unique and memorable experiences for consumers, such as immersive cultural experiences, adventure tourism, and events. How to design and market these experiences to attract and retain consumers.
5. Tourism and Workforce Skills Development – examining the role of leisure and tourism in creating job opportunities, and the importance of providing training and career advancement opportunities for leisure and tourism workers. Exploring ways to promote fair and equitable working conditions in the industry.
6. Placemaking and Destination Branding – focusing on how destinations can use placemaking and branding strategies to create a unique identity that attracts visitors while maintaining the character and authenticity of the destination. Exploring ways to involve residents in the process of destination branding and placemaking.
7. Leisure and tourism growth and local livability – focusing on the challenges and opportunities of balancing leisure and tourism growth with local livelihoods in destinations. As tourism continues to grow, it can bring significant economic benefits to destinations, but it can also have negative social impacts on local communities, such as overcrowding, increased living costs, and displacement of local residents.

Keynotes

With engaging keynote speeches, parallel sessions, interactive panels and networking opportunities, participants will gain valuable insights into the future of leisure and tourism and how to prepare for the challenges and opportunities ahead. Keynotes include Iis Tussyadiah (University of Surrey), Bernadette Quinn (Technological University Dublin), Greg Richards (Breda University of Applied Sciences), Perry Hobson (Breda University of Applied Sciences) and Jos Vranken (NBTC).

Practical and more information

The ATLAS Annual Conference is from Tuesday, June 25, 2024 through Friday, June 28. More information about the congress and registration options on the congresswebsite.