Transforming and Managing Destinations:
Tourism and Leisure in a Time of Global Change and Risks

Trier (Germany)
22–25 August 2012

Organised by:
IGU Commission on Tourism, Leisure and Global Change/
UGI Géographie du Tourisme et des Loisirs et Changement Global
and
Working Group Leisure and Tourism Geography of the German Geographic Society/
Arbeitskreis Freizeit- und Tourismusgeographie der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Geographie

Constant change is typical of tourism as a spatial and social phenomenon. Tourist destinations, activities, products, segments, mobilities etc. are constantly changing and they are also transforming the physical, social, cultural and economic environment of tourism. This dualistic nature of tourism has contributed to regional development and economic growth, in general, but also created challenges and problems to environment. In addition, the intensified global change, including globalisation, has created risks for tourism development and tourist destinations. All this calls for better knowledge on tourism and tourism development and management, and also more sustainable practices in growth management.

The overall purpose of this symposium is to discuss the transformation of tourism as a geographical idea and the management of tourist destinations in a time of intensified global changes and evolving risks.

The symposium is organised in 13 sessions analysing the main idea under different angles and approaches:

I     Global risks and risk management in tourism

II    Achieving sustainability in tourism

III   Challenges for the positioning of tourist destinations

IV    Governance aspects in destination development

V     Local communities and small tourism businesses: Inequalities and exclusion in tourism development

VI    Innovations in tourism development

VII  War Memorials and Tourism

VIII Tendencies in tourism development

IX    Tourism landscapes and heritage in change

X     ICT related challenges in tourism (e-marketing and social media)

XI    Tourism in rural areas

XII   Transformation processes in tourism destinations

XIII  Cross-border aspects in tourism

Important dates:
Registration:                                     15 April 2012
Papers for conference proceedings:     31 May 2012

The programme as well as the book of abstracts and the registration form can be downloaded here: