Announcement

Conference Overview

In a world increasingly shaped by geopolitical tensions, social fragmentation, and cultural misunderstandings, tourism is once again being critically re-examined not only as an economic activity, but as a potential catalyst for peacebuilding, dialogue, and reconciliation. While tourism has long been celebrated as a “passport to peace” and a “vital force for peace,” contemporary realities demand a more nuanced, critical, and evidence-based examination of its true capacity to contribute to peace at local, regional, and global levels.

The International Conference “Tourism and Peacebuilding Future” aims to provide a rigorous academic and professional platform for exploring tourism’s role in peacebuilding, acknowledging both its transformative potential and its inherent limitations. Moving beyond idealized narratives, the conference emphasizes peace-sensitive, ethically grounded, and context-aware tourism approaches, particularly relevant in conflict-affected, post-conflict, politically sensitive, and culturally diverse destinations.

The inaugural conference International Conference “Tourism and Peacebuilding Future 2026”, hosted at the Academy of Hospitality, Tourism and Wellness in Belgrade, Serbia is positioned at the crossroads of tourism studies, peace and conflict studies, international relations, cultural diplomacy, sustainability, and destination governance. Belgrade and the wider Balkan region, marked by a complex history of coexistence, conflict, reconciliation, and regeneration, offer a uniquely meaningful context for launching this scholarly dialogue.

Participants will also have the opportunity to explore Belgrade, one of Southeast Europe’s most dynamic tourism destinations, through networking and cultural activities organised alongside the scientific programme.

Conference Aims and Objectives

The conference seeks to:

• Critically assess tourism's role in peacebuilding, reconciliation, and conflict transformation.
• Examine the ethical, political, and structural conditions under which tourism can contribute to peace.
• Bridge theory and practice by connecting academic research with policy, industry, and community perspectives.
• Advance interdisciplinary dialogue on peace-sensitive, sustainable and responsible tourism development.
• Explore future-oriented frameworks for tourism as a tool for peace, resilience, and social cohesion.

Organization

Organised by:

• Tourism Peacebuilding Future
• International Institute for Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Hosted by:

Academy of Hospitality, Tourism and Wellness, Tošin Bunar 179đ, Belgrade, Serbia

Organising Committee:

• Danijel Pavlović, Academy of Hospitality, Tourism and Wellness, Serbia
• Kevin Griffin, Technological University, Dublin, Ireland
• Razaq Raj, Leeds Beckett University, United Kingdom

Local Organising Committee:

Scientific Committee:

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

The conference will be enriched by internationally recognised experts in tourism and peacebuilding.

Conference Themes and Tracks

2026 Conference Theme

Exploring Tourism, Dialogue, Reconciliation, and Sustainable Development

This theme invites contributors to reflect on the gap and the possible bridges between normative ideals of tourism as a force for peace and the empirical realities observed across destinations and regions worldwide.

Suggested Conference Tracks and Topics

Submissions may address, but are not limited to, the following thematic areas:

Important Dates

Who Should Attend?

Types of Contributions

The conference welcomes:

• Full research papers
• Conceptual and theoretical papers
• Empirical studies (qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods)
• Policy and practice-oriented contributions
• Case studies and best practice examples

Interdisciplinary and cross-sector perspectives are especially encouraged.

Conference Awards

To encourage and recognise outstanding scholarly contributions, the conference will present the following awards:

Awards will be based on the quality, originality, methodological rigour, and contribution of the paper to the field of tourism and peacebuilding. Award recipients will be announced during the Conference Closing Session.

Presentation Format

The conference will be held in person at the Academy of Hospitality, Tourism and Wellness, Belgrade, Serbia.

Accepted contributions will be presented in thematic sessions. Each presentation will be allocated up to 12 minutes, followed by 3 minutes of discussion and questions.

Further details regarding the conference programme and presentation schedule will be communicated to registered participants prior to the conference.

Submission Guidelines

SUBMISSION PROCESS

Submit your paper via email: tpfconference@akademijahtw.bg.ac.rs

Abstracts will be published in TPF Conference Book of Abstracts.

Papers presented at the conference will be considered for publication in a Special Issue of the International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage (Scopus Q1, Open Access, no publication fees), subject to the journal's editorial standards and double-blind peer review process. Authors of selected papers will be invited to submit extended versions of their contributions for consideration in the Special Issue.

Conference Fees

Payment details and registration procedures will be provided to accepted participants upon completion of the registration process.

Optional Networking Event

Preliminary Programme

* Participation in the Guided Sightseeing Tour of Belgrade and the Conference Dinner and Networking Evening is voluntary, subject to a sufficient number of participants, and the cost is not included in the conference registration fee. Further details and participation costs will be provided to registered participants.

CONFERENCE LOCATION

The conference will be held in Belgrade, Serbia, at the Academy of Hospitality, Tourism and Wellness.

Belgrade and the wider Balkan region represent a historically complex and symbolically rich context for discussions on tourism, conflict, reconciliation, and peacebuilding, and the crossroads of cultures.

Academy of Hospitality, Tourism and Wellness

The Academy of Hospitality, Tourism and Wellness is a specialised higher education institution located in Belgrade, Serbia, dedicated to educating future professionals and leaders in hospitality, tourism, wellness, destination management, and related service industries. Through its study programmes, industry partnerships with “A” Hotels, applied research activities, and international cooperation initiatives, the Academy contributes to the advancement of tourism knowledge and professional practice in Serbia and the wider region.

The Academy maintains strong links with tourism and hospitality stakeholders, including hotels, tourism organisations, tourism businesses, and professional associations, providing students and researchers with opportunities to engage directly with contemporary industry challenges and innovations. As host of the inaugural International Conference on Tourism and Peacebuilding Future, the Academy aims to foster international academic dialogue and interdisciplinary collaboration on tourism, peacebuilding, sustainability, and intercultural understanding.

Located in New Belgrade, one of the city’s most modern and accessible districts, the Academy offers convenient access to Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, the city centre, business districts, cultural attractions, and major transportation hubs.

About Belgrade

Belgrade, the capital of the Republic of Serbia, is one of Europe's oldest continuously inhabited cities and a unique meeting point of cultures, religions, and civilizations. Situated at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers, the city has historically served as a bridge between East and West, reflecting centuries of cultural exchange, coexistence, conflict, and renewal.

Today, Belgrade is recognized as one of Europe’s most dynamic urban destinations, combining rich historical heritage with a vibrant contemporary cultural scene. Visitors can explore landmarks such as the Belgrade Fortress and Kalemegdan Park, St. Sava Temple, Skadarlija Bohemian Quarter, the Museum of Yugoslavia, and numerous galleries, museums, and cultural institutions.

The city is renowned for its hospitality, lively café culture, diverse gastronomy, and vibrant events calendar. Belgrade’s experience of historical transformation, post-conflict recovery, regional cooperation, and urban regeneration makes it a particularly meaningful venue for scholarly discussions on tourism, reconciliation, dialogue, resilience, and peacebuilding.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

How to Get to Belgrade

By Air

Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG) is Serbia’s main international airport and serves numerous direct and connecting flights from major European and international destinations.

Approximate flight times to Belgrade:

• Vienna - 1 hour
• Budapest - 1 hour
• Rome - 1 hour 30 min
• Munich - 1 hour 20 min
• Zurich - 1 hour 40 min
• Paris - 2 hours 20 min
• London - 2 hours 45 min
• Istanbul - 1 hour 40 min
• Dubai - 5 hours
• New York - 10 hours

From the Airport to the Conference Venue

By Taxi

The Academy of Hospitality, Tourism and Wellness is located approximately 10–15 minutes by taxi from Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, depending on traffic conditions.

By Public Transport

Several public bus lines connect the airport with New Belgrade and the city centre. Detailed information and recommended routes will be provided closer to the conference date.

By Car

The Academy is easily accessible from all major city highways and is located in New Belgrade, close to the E-75 motorway and the city’s main transport corridors.

Local Transportation

Belgrade offers an extensive public transportation network consisting of buses, trams, and trolleybuses. Taxi services and ride-hailing applications are widely available throughout the city.

*MAPA*

Accommodation options:

Why Attend?