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 11 sessions analysing the main idea under different angles and approaches:

I    Global risks and risk management in tourism

II   Challenges for the positioning of tourist destinations

III  Governance aspects in destination development

IV   ICT related challenges in tourism

V    War Memorials and Tourism

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

VII  Tourism in rural areas

VIII Innovations in tourism development

IX   Transformation processes in tourism destinations

X    Tourism heritage in change

XI   Achieving sustainability in tourism

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