Writing Research Director
Bournemouth University, UK
PART OF MEDITERRANEAN TOURISM RESEARCH CONFERENCE 2026
Mediterranean Tourism Research Writing Retreat
Tuesday, 24 November 2026 · Hilton, Malta
A focused day designed to bring scholars together to build research communities, identify meaningful questions, and develop strong interdisciplinary teams capable of producing impactful Mediterranean tourism scholarship.
- Date
- Tuesday 24 Nov 2026
- Venue
- Hilton, Malta
- Director
- Prof. Dimitrios Buhalis
- Format
- Full-day retreat
ABOUT THE FORUM
Mediterranean Tourism Forum 2026
The yellow-highlighted sections of the Forum Calendar indicate the Mediterranean Tourism Research Conference, held as part of the larger Mediterranean Tourism Forum. The 2026 Conference also features the Writing Retreat, Mediterranean Tourism Future Talent Competition, Hackathon, and associated academic sessions.
| Category | Tuesday 24 | Wednesday 25 | Thursday 26 | Friday 27 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | — | Competition – Forbes | Competition – Forbes.com | Mediterranean Tourism Plenary / Masterclasses |
| Academics | Writing retreat / Editors panel | Mediterranean Tourism Research Conference (MTC) keynote papers | Mediterranean Tourism Research Conference (MTC) competition / Industry panel / Hackathon | Mediterranean Tourism Plenary / Masterclasses |
| Students | Talent hackathon | Talent hackathon | Mediterranean Tourism Research Conference (MTC) / Hackathon / Career seminar | Mediterranean Tourism Plenary / Masterclasses |
| Events | — | Awards in Palace / Networking reception | Concert | Mediterranean Tourism Plenary / Masterclasses |
| Exhibition / Display | — | — | Photography / Art | — |
Swipe horizontally to view the full calendar.
CONCEPT OF THE MEDITERRANEAN TOURISM RESEARCH CONFERENCE 2026
A Mediterranean platform for collaborative, publishable research
The Mediterranean Tourism Research Conference 2026 in Malta will introduce a Mediterranean Tourism Research Writing Retreat to be held on Tuesday, 24 November 2026 at the Hilton, Malta.
This initiative is designed to bring together scholars and early-career researchers with shared interests in Mediterranean tourism and to create the conditions for serious collaborative research and high-quality publication. The purpose of the retreat is not simply to write, but to build research communities, identify meaningful questions, and develop strong interdisciplinary teams capable of producing impactful scholarship.
At a time when tourism in the Mediterranean faces strategic challenges and opportunities, this retreat offers a valuable platform for developing the research community and methodologies — towards intellectual exchange, methodological discussion, and the generation of new ideas that can inform both theory and practice.
Rather than functioning as a traditional conference workshop, the retreat combines inspiration, critical discussion, collaborative thinking, mentoring from leading journal editors, and structured idea development in an immersive academic environment.
Leadership
- Writing Research Director: Professor Dimitrios Buhalis
- Coordinators: Leonidas Efthymiou and Marie Louise Mangion
Facilitators
Led by leading Mediterranean tourism scholars
Coordinator · AI & Smart Technology Theme Lead
University of Nicosia, Cyprus
Coordinator · Policy, Planning & Strategy Theme Lead
University of Malta
Regenerative & Sustainable Tourism Theme Lead
University of Aveiro, Portugal
Three Research Themes
Strategic priorities for Mediterranean tourism scholarship
The retreat will focus on three timely themes. Professor Dimitrios Buhalis will serve as Research Director, and each Co-Chair will facilitate a theme together with expert senior researchers. These themes recognise that tourism development must now be understood through the interconnected lenses of governance, sustainability, innovation and digital transformation.
Regenerative and Sustainable Tourism
Theme Lead
Filipa Brandao
University of Aveiro, Portugal
Policy, Planning and Strategy
Theme Lead
Marie Louise Mangion
University of Malta
Artificial Intelligence and Smart Technology
Theme Lead
Leonidas Efthymiou
University of Nicosia, Cyprus
Who This Is For
Scholars and Early Career Researchers committed to Mediterranean tourism research
Established researchers
Scholars in tourism, hospitality and related fields seeking collaborative writing partners across the Mediterranean.
Early-career academics
Researchers wishing to develop publishable contributions with mentoring from leading journal editors.
Interdisciplinary scholars
Colleagues working at the intersection of policy, sustainability, AI, governance and destination management.
Policy-oriented researchers
Academics whose work informs Mediterranean regional development, planning and governance.
PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME · 24 NOVEMBER 2026
A full day of collaboration
Develop a scholarship network that influences and supports early career researchers.
- ●
09:00 – 09:30
Registration
Informal networking and introductions among participants, editors, and research mentors.
- ●
09:30 – 10:00
Welcome & Opening Reflections
Professor Dimitrios Buhalis
“Reimagining Mediterranean Tourism Research in an Era of Transformation”
Opening keynote introducing:
- ▸Strategic challenges and opportunities in Mediterranean tourism
- ▸Emerging research priorities: smart and regenerative tourism for all stakeholders
- ▸The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration
- ▸Building impactful research communities and publication pathways
- ▸Developing scholarship that influences both academia and policy
- ●
10:00 – 11:00
Thinking Time: Developing Research Ideas & Networking Coffee
Facilitated Reflection & Collaborative Ideation
An interactive session enabling participants to:
- ▸Identify pressing Mediterranean tourism research questions across the three themes
- ▸Explore methodological innovations
- ▸Reflect on theoretical gaps and policy relevance
- ▸Form thematic research clusters
Participants will work individually and in small interdisciplinary groups using guided prompts and collaborative discussion frameworks.
- ●
11:00 – 12:30
Editors' Panel — “What Makes Research Publishable and Impactful?”
Chair: Professor Dimitrios Buhalis
Panel of Editors and Senior Scholars: Haiyan Song · Giampaolo Viglia · Adele Ladkin · Adam Blake
Discussion with journal editors and editorial board members focusing on:
- ▸Publishing in leading tourism journals
- ▸Common weaknesses in submissions
- ▸Building theoretically significant contributions
- ▸Methodological rigor and innovation
- ▸Interdisciplinary research opportunities
- ▸AI, ethics, and the future of academic publishing
- ▸Developing collaborative international research projects
Interactive Q&A — participants will have the opportunity to discuss publication strategies and emerging research themes with editors.
- ●
12:30 – 14:30
Reflective Research Walk & Think Tank
Led by Leonidas Efthymiou
Collaborative Research Conversations
Opportunity for informal discussions, editor engagement, and team formation. Participants form small interdisciplinary groups for walking discussions around Valletta. Themes may include:
- ▸Sustainable Mediterranean destinations
- ▸Smart tourism and AI transformation
- ▸Climate resilience and coastal tourism
- ▸Tourism regulations and governance
- ▸Human resources and talent management
- ▸Entrepreneurship and tourism innovation
- ▸Policy challenges across Mediterranean regions
The session is designed to encourage creativity, reflection, relationship building, and deeper intellectual exchange outside the traditional classroom setting.
- ●
14:30 – 15:30
Editors' Dragon's Den: Pitching Research Ideas for Feedback
Chair: Professor Dimitrios Buhalis
Panel of Editors and Senior Scholars: Haiyan Song · Giampaolo Viglia · Adele Ladkin · Adam Blake
Research groups or individuals will present:
- ▸Early-stage paper concepts
- ▸Special issue ideas
- ▸Collaborative project proposals
- ▸Methodological approaches
Editors and senior scholars will provide constructive critique, publication guidance, collaboration suggestions, journal fit recommendations, and pathways for strengthening contribution and impact. The session is developmental, collegial, and supportive rather than competitive.
- ●
15:30 – 16:00
Reflections & Next Steps — Building the Mediterranean Tourism Research Community
Facilitated by Prof Dimitrios Buhalis
Summary discussion focusing on:
- ▸Emerging collaborative themes
- ▸Future publication opportunities
- ▸Research network development
- ▸Potential special issues and funded projects
- ▸Long-term knowledge exchange initiatives
Closing remarks and identification of next steps for sustaining the Mediterranean tourism research community beyond the conference.
Editors' Panel
Mentoring from leading journal editors
A panel of editors and senior scholars chaired by Professor Dimitrios Buhalis will discuss what makes research publishable and impactful — followed by interactive Q&A on publication strategies, methodological rigor, and the future of academic publishing.
Research Teams
From writing retreat to published research
The Mediterranean Tourism Research Writing Retreat will initiate research communities to research and write a series of articles on the three themes. Research teams will be set up once expressions of interest and registrations have been collected.
During the retreat, each team will identify research gaps, explore possible research, identify relevant scholarly literature, formulate research questions and define an appropriate research design. A timeline will be agreed and roles allocated so that deliverables together lead to the drafting of a research paper for possible publication.
Each research team will present the research outline during the second day of the Mediterranean Tourism Knowledge Exchange and Policy Conference, on 26 November 2026.
Express your interest
Join a research team
Contact Marie Louise Mangion at writingretreat@gmail.com stating:
- Your name, affiliation, ORCID and/or Google Scholar profile link
- Your research interests and the methods you work with
- Your preferred theme and what you would like to contribute
If interested in more than one theme, please indicate the themes in order of preference, providing the above information for each.
Send Expression of InterestRegistration
Secure your place at the Writing Retreat
Registration for the Mediterranean Tourism Knowledge Exchange & Policy Conference 2026 (which includes the Writing Retreat) is opening soon. Leave your email and we'll be in touch the moment it goes live.
Contact
Questions about the Writing Retreat?
Prof. Dimitrios Buhalis
dbuhalis@bournemouth.ac.uk