The Alliance on Training and Research of ISTO is organizing a scientific conference on Tuesday, 28 November 2023, in Brussels. The event, which will be held in person only, joins the celebrations of ISTO's 60th anniversary and delve into the evolution of social tourism, its increasing inclusivity, and its potential to promote sustainable and responsible tourism.
Over the past decades, social tourism has undergone significant transformations, evolving from its modest origins of facilitating holidays for workers and children to encompassing disadvantaged individuals and now promoting holidays for all while fostering social cohesion. Embracing the global concerns of sustainable development, social tourism has further expanded its horizons by including local populations and adopting a more sustainable and responsible approach to tourism. ISTO has developed its DNA, consisting of five fundamental elements: accessibility, fair trade, environment, solidarity, and quality of life, which serve as guiding principles for their initiatives.
However, the conference poses a crucial question: How does contemporary social tourism differ from sustainable and responsible tourism at large, and how can social tourism contribute to the broader goal of achieving sustainable and responsible tourism?
Recognizing the escalating environmental and societal challenges impacting tourism practices, the conference aims to stimulate discussions among researchers who have conducted studies or reflections on various aspects of these concerns, such as employment, holiday destinations, mobility, and tourism practices. By delving into these issues, the conference seeks to explore how the values embedded within social tourism can contribute to enhancing the overall sustainability and responsibility of the tourism industry.
To participate in this event, researchers are invited to submit an abstract of 7,500 characters (including spaces) in either French or English, along with a short abstract of 1,000 characters (including spaces) in the other language (English or French) by 7 September 2023. Submissions should also include a brief introduction of themselves and their co-authors, if applicable, with a limit of no more than 300 characters and a good-quality photograph. Selected contributions will be published in the journal Partances, scheduled for release in November 2023, coinciding with the celebrations of ISTO's 60th anniversary.
Find out more about how to send your abstract in the following documents:
