The conference Towards Resilient Destinations: Integrating Nature, Culture and Tourism for Sustainable Futures (April, 23-24, 2026, Ionian Academy, Corfu, Greece) will explore how destinations can build resilience while addressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It brings together leading voices from academia, policy, and practice to discuss three key themes: nature conservation and climate resilience, cultural heritage and creative economies, and innovations shaping tourism futures. With a focus on the Mediterranean, while drawing lessons for the wider world, it aims to inspire new ideas, foster collaboration, and showcase pathways towards more resilient destinations.
As the Towards Resilient Destinations Conference explores the balance between development and conservation, local examples are welcome. Erimitis, a largely untouched coastal area on Corfu’s northeastern coast, hosts forests, wetlands, and secluded coves, highlighting the ecological richness that underpins sustainable futures.
Sub-themes
- Nature Conservation & Climate Resilience
This theme explores how destinations can build resilience through nature conservation, climate adaptation, and biodiversity protection. It addresses the role of scientist–practitioner collaboration, capacity-building, and digital tools in advancing sustainable management of Protected Areas. Contributions are also invited on sustainable tourism practices and nature-based tourism, with lessons from the Erimitis case in Corfu and other contexts offering valuable insights for the Mediterranean and beyond.
Topics may include, but are not limited to:
- Protected Areas (PAs), SDGs, climate adaptation, and biodiversity resilience
- Scientist–practitioner collaboration and co-design of nature-based solutions
- Capacity-building and training for conservation and sustainable tourism
- Data-driven and digital tools (AI/ML, GIS, remote sensing) for adaptive management
- Sustainable tourism practices in Protected Areas and nature-based tourism for strengthening resilience
- Lessons from the Erimitis case as a transferable model for Mediterranean and global contexts
- Cultural Heritage, Identity & Resilient Creative Economies
This theme examines the role of cultural heritage and creative economies in shaping resilient destinations. It covers heritage conservation and interpretation using digital, inclusive, and immersive methods, as well as applied historical research and intangible heritage. Particular emphasis is placed on creative economy pathways that generate equitable local benefits, alongside inclusive governance models and social impact assessment in heritage and creative sectors.
Topics may include, but are not limited to:
- Heritage conservation and interpretation, including digital, inclusive, and immersive approaches
- Applied historical and archival research for contemporary strategies
- Intangible heritage as part of local identity and tourism
- Heritage-led tourism and cultural routes as engines of resilience
- Creative economy pathways that generate equitable local benefits and strengthen resilient cultural systems
- Social impact assessment and inclusive governance models for heritage and creative sectors
- Innovations for Resilient Tourism Futures
This theme focuses on innovations that re-shape tourism systems for sustainability and resilience. It includes research on circular and low-carbon operations, ESG/SDG monitoring, governance and financing mechanisms, and digital tools for visitor management and mobility. We also welcome contributions on regenerative tourism models, policy and business innovations, and approaches to co-creation and participation that enhance visitor experiences while strengthening community and destination resilience.
Topics may include, but are not limited to:
- Circular and low-carbon tourism operations and supply chains
- Monitoring, reporting, and evaluation of environmental, social, and resilience outcomes (ESG, SDGs)
- Governance, financing, and partnership mechanisms for scaling resilient practices
- Digital visitor management, smart mobility, and real-time data applications
- Policy innovations and sustainable business models for resilient destinations
- Regenerative tourism models that go beyond sustainability
- Co-creation and participatory approaches for innovating visitor experiences and strengthening resilience
Call for Abstracts (deadlines, guidelines, review process, publication)
- Conference dates: The conference is planned as a two-day event April, 23-24, 2026, Ionian Academy, Corfu, Greece.
Important Dates
- Abstract submission deadline: 31 January 2026
- Notification of acceptance: by 28 February 2026
- Conference: 23-24 April 2026
Accepted abstracts will be presented during the conference sessions.
Submission Guidelines
Abstract Format & Structure
- Length: Maximum 500 words
- Language: English only.
- Title: Concise and informative (max. 20 words).
- Author details: Full name(s), affiliation(s), and contact email of all authors.
- Keywords: 3–5 keywords that best describe the work.
- Structure: Abstracts should include the following elements (where applicable):
- Background / Rationale – Briefly state the issue or research problem.
- Objectives / Research Question – Clarify the purpose of the work.
- Methods / Approach – Outline the methodology or approach taken.
- Results / Findings – Summarize key findings or expected contributions.
- Conclusions / Implications – Highlight the relevance for resilience, policy, practice, or theory.
- References (if any): Up to 3 key references may be included in-text (Author, Year) and listed at the end (not counted towards the word limit).
Authors should follow abstract guidelines that reflect the objectives of the conference.
- Abstracts should not exceed 500 words.
- Submissions must be made electronically via the online abstract form on the conference website in the address https://conferences.ionio.gr/trd/en/submission/, where authors should select the appropriate topic area for their abstracts from the drop-down menu
- All submissions must be in English.
Review Process
After submission, all abstracts will be reviewed.
A uniform review procedure will be applied, asking the following five basic questions:
- Does the work address a significant or important issue?
- Is the work original, or has it already been published?
- Do the methods/approach enable the research question to be answered rigorously?
- Have the data/findings been interpreted appropriately?
- Are the contents of the abstract clear and intelligible?
All accepted abstracts will be included in an electronic Book of Abstracts.
Special Tracks / Workshops
The conference will also include opportunities for additional tracks or workshops, such as panels, roundtables, and doctoral workshop, to encourage deeper dialogue and collaboration on specific issues.
- Doctoral and Early-Career Workshop
The conference will host a workshop for MSc students, PhD students, and postdoctoral researchers, offering them the opportunity to present their research, receive feedback from senior scholars, and engage in discussion with peers. Submissions should follow the same guidelines as other abstracts.
- Panels and Roundtables
The conference also welcomes proposals for panels and roundtables that address the overall theme and sub-themes. These formats are intended to encourage interactive discussion and bring together diverse perspectives on key issues. Proposals should include a short description (max. 300 words) outlining the focus, its relevance to the conference themes, and suggested participants or types of contributions. Accepted panels and roundtables will be scheduled alongside paper sessions and Doctoral Workshop, offering a complementary space for dialogue and exchange.
Audience
We invite contributions from academics and researchers, practitioners and policymakers working within or across the fields of environment, culture, and tourism.
