NEWSLETTER #42- July 2026 CINTURS.
NEWSLETTER #42- July 2026 CINTURS.
On 11 June, CinTurs welcomed Professor Woody Kim, Director of the International Center for Hospitality Research & Development at Florida State University's Dedman College of Hospitality. Internationally recognised for his contribution to hospitality and tourism research, Professor Kim has published over 180 articles in leading journals, accumulated more than 33,000 Google Scholar citations, and received distinctions such as the John Wiley & Sons Lifetime Research Achievement Award and the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award. He currently serves as Editor of the Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research (JHTR). This visit reinforces CinTurs' ongoing commitment to international collaboration and the exchange of knowledge in tourism and hospitality research, further strengthening the Centre's academic networks worldwide.
As part of THE INC 2026, an Industry Panel co-organised by CinTurs brought together experts from tourism, culture and technology to discuss the conference theme, “Personalisation and Immersive Experiences in Tourism, Hospitality and Events”, from an industry perspective. Panellists highlighted how technology and artificial intelligence are becoming strategic capabilities for the tourism sector, enabling more personalised experiences and greater operational efficiency, while stressing that innovation is most valuable when it strengthens, rather than replaces, the human dimension of tourism. The session, which closed with an engaging Q&A, underscored the value of dialogue between academia and industry in shaping the sector's future. CinTurs extends its sincere thanks to all panellists for their contributions to this inspiring example of research-industry collaboration.
A highlight of THE INC 2026, the Industry Symposium brought together academia, industry and public organisations to discuss “Need for New Paradigms in Tourism Management: Eco-efficient Growth and Resilience in Tourism”. Organized by AlgSTO - Algarve Sustainable Tourism Observatory, with support from the Algarve Tourism Board, the roundtable addressed eco-efficient growth, destination resilience, water management, governance, and data-informed decision-making, closing with an engaging Q&A session. CinTurs is proud to have hosted a conference that fostered dialogue between researchers, policymakers, and industry professionals, reinforcing collaboration as key to a more resilient and sustainable future for tourism.
THE INC 2026 featured three outstanding keynote sessions delivered by internationally renowned scholars. Professor Cathy Hsu (Editor-in-Chief, Tourism Management) reflected on three decades of tourism management research under the theme "From Collective Inquiry to Future Discovery"; Professor David McGillivray (Deputy Editor, Event Management) explored the evolving relationship between technology and events in "From Collective Ritual to Hyper-Personalisation"; and Professor Levent Altinay (Editor-in-Chief, The Service Industries Journal) discussed "The Dual Role of AI in Higher Education", examining the opportunities and challenges AI presents for teaching and academic practice. CinTurs extends its sincere gratitude to Professors Cathy Hsu, David McGillivray, and Levent Altinay for sharing their expertise and contributing to the academic excellence of THE INC 2026 and for helping make this edition a truly memorable experience for researchers, academics, and doctoral students from across the globe.
One month ago, during THE INC 2026, a
significant milestone for international collaboration was achieved with
the signing of the Geoparks International Agreement between the
Algarvensis UNESCO Global Geopark and the Granada
UNESCO Global Geopark. This agreement represents a shared commitment to
strengthening cooperation, promoting knowledge exchange, and fostering
sustainable development through the UNESCO Global Geoparks network.
CinTurs is proud that THE INC 2026
conference provided the setting for this initiative, reinforcing the
value of bringing together academia, institutions, and international
partners to generate lasting impact beyond the event
itself.
CinTurs congratulates both Geoparks on this partnership and looks forward to the collaborative projects it will inspire.
