The Future of Tourism in An Emerging Economy

FIRST CALL FOR PAPERS    

Association for Tourism Development in Nigeria (ATDiN) is delighted to invite you to the 5^th Biennial Multidisciplinary Conference slated for March 2021.

This conference aims to evaluate, from multidisciplinary perspectives, the future of tourism in emerging economies following the increasing threats to the industry by multifarious social, economic, health and environmental challenges facing the globe. What does the future hold for tourism in these economies? How do we promote a balanced tourism growth for both established and emerging destinations? The conference attempts to stimulate discussion and exchange of ideas on the conference theme amongst tourism professionals, academics, researchers, policy-makers, consultants, practitioners, government officials and students of tourism and related fields.

The University of Calabar, commonly referred to as UNICAL, is a second-generation federal university located in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. Calabar is the capital of the state and it is often described as the tourism capital of Nigeria. Cross River State is a coastal state in South Eastern Nigeria, named after the Cross River, which passes through the state. The state is endowed with fascinating tourism destinations like Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort, Calabar Marina, Calabar Residency Museum, the Calabar Slave Park, Obudu Mountain Resort, Agbokim Waterfalls, Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, Kwa Falls, among others. A range of pre and post conference workshops and site visits will also be included in the conference programmes (at additional costs and subject to numbers) to ensure delegates have the best opportunities to consider and contribute to the conference experience.

We’re looking forward to welcoming ATDiN’s 2021 delegates to the University of Calabar – Knowledge for Service, and Cross River State – The People’s Paradise.

Conference Theme

The conference theme is ‘The Future of Tourism in An Emerging Economy’.

The twenty-first century has brought new challenges such as climate change, economic crises, terrorism, globalization, entrenched social problems and the current COVID-19 crises, which have continuously posed threats and created an uncertain tourism environment that affects destinations and their populations in virtually every sphere. In Africa and other emerging economies such as Asia and Southern America, some of whose national income and foreign exchange depend majorly on tourism, the risks posed to the industry by the above menace are not only palpable, but also worrisome. Increasing unemployment, loss of access to economic resources, poverty, ill-health and unabated social problems of all sorts have continued to stare them on their faces in the light of some of these challenges. More worrisome is the twin-challenge posed by climate change and Covid-19 pandemic. The latter appears to have locked down, in a dramatic fashion, the global economy, with tourism and travels bearing much of the brunt. But the former, that is climate change, is gradually but steadily creating avoidable difficulties for humanity in all spheres. Although earlier climatic changes were influenced mainly by nature, uncontrolled industrialization and human actions have been the bane of current changes. If these are allowed to continue unchecked, the effects on the global economy and tourism may be much more devastating than the current pandemic, if archaeological accounts and other documented evidences are anything to go by.

To keep pace with these challenges, all stakeholders – governments, businesses, communities, tourism organizations and academics need to continuously assess the emerging social, economic and environmental problems to identify future trends and examine various response policies and management decisions that will help to curb these increasing risks and uncertainties. This conference aims to interrogate the above issues from multidisciplinary perspectives in an effort to promote a balanced tourism growth for both established and emerging destinations.

We, therefore, invite submissions from diverse fields, including the social sciences, arts and humanities, management sciences, and related areas to this all-important conference. Both physical and virtual platforms will be available for paper presentation. Every presenter is expected to indicate her/his preference while submitting the paper.

Full Research and Working Papers

Full research papers and working papers deadline is 10 January 2021

The Organising Committee welcomes full research papers and working research papers relevant to the conference theme ‘The Future of Tourism in An Emerging Economy’. Papers in other areas related to tourism, heritage and hospitality management are also welcomed. The sub-themes for the conference are developed around the conference theme and they include, but not limited to:

Sub-themes:   

1. 1. Tourism Development, Policy and Planning
   2. Sustainability
   3. Alternative and Special Forms of Tourism
   4. Tourism and Community Development
   5. Stakeholders Collaboration and Cooperation
   6. Emerging Tourism Destinations
   7. Economic/Social/Environmental/Cultural Impacts of Tourism
   8. World Heritage Sites
   9. Industry’s Role in Managing Growth
   10. Tourism Education and Communication
   11. Information Technology in Tourism
   12. Tourism Marketing
   13. Hospitality Management
   14. Tourism Research and Methodology
   15. Tourism and Globalization
   16. Transportation and Tourism
   17. Authenticity and Commodification
   18. Climate Change, Natural Disasters and Tourism
   19. Health, Safety and Security Issues
   20. Events Management
   21. Human Resources Management in Tourism and Hospitality
   22. Ecotourism and Environmental Conservation
   23. Innovation in Tourism
   24. Tourism economics
   25. Music theatre and entertainment
   26. Tour Operation

   We welcome innovative contributions that focus on the above sub-themes, including tourism economics, hospitality and management. We also encourage papers on COVID-19 and the tourism industry, environmental conservation and pedagogical researches as well as theoretical and empirical studies relating to tourism, hospitality and management.

   All paper submissions must follow the guidelines outlined in the attached document template.

   Conference papers can be submitted via Easychair or emailed to conference@atdin.org.ng

Key Deadlines

Full research papers deadline: 10 January 2021

Working Research Papers deadline: 10 January 2021

Conference Registration closes: 15 February 2021

Types of Papers

Full Research Papers

Papers submitted in this category are those in which research work, or conceptual and theoretical development, is complete. Authors should submit a paper of 4000-5000 words (including references, tables and figures) to be blind peer reviewed by two reviewers nominated by the Scientific Committee. All papers must be original submissions that have not already been published.

Full Research Papers close for review: 10 January 2021

 Working Research Papers

Working papers are those for which a substantial amount of the research work, or conceptual and theoretical development has been done. Authors should submit a paper of 1200-1500 words (including references, tables and figures) to be blind peer-reviewed by one reviewer nominated by the Scientific Committee. All papers must be original submissions that have not already been published.

Working Papers close for review: 10 January 2021

Paper Submission Guidelines

Please follow these guidelines when submitting your paper:

• Full Research Papers should be between 4000-5000 words
• Working Research Papers should be between 1200-1500 words
• Provide the full title of the paper as it will appear in the conference programme
• Include a list of authors, First Name, Surname and Institutional affiliation
• Identify which conference sub-theme the paper is aimed and/or the Special Interest Group (SIG) to which the paper contributes.

Please download the attached ATDiN 2021 Paper Submission Author Guidelines for detailed author guidelines.

All papers should include:

• An abstract of approximately 150 words.
• A list of 4-6 keywords.
• An introduction that provides an overview of the paper and the significance of the research.
• A literature review that provides the background to the research and outlines the context and/or academic literature that informs the research.
• A research approach that describes the broad theoretical orientation and/or methodological approach.
• A description and application of the research findings.
• A conclusion that provides a summation of the paper and its contribution to tourism, hospitality and/or events education and/or research.

Paper Presentations

Those authors whose full research papers and working research papers are accepted will have the opportunity to present their work via a physical or virtual platform.

Oral presentations

Oral presentations will be allocated 20 minutes each (15 minutes for the presentation with five minutes for questions). A Chair will run each concurrent session of presentations. If conference delegates are interested in chairing a session, please contact the Organising Committee at conference@atdin.org.ng

Virtual presentations

Virtual presentations will be held on a day designated for the purpose, and for a maximum of 10 minutes each. Interested presenters will be given a link and provided with the opportunity to discuss their works with other participants. The delegates are expected to make Power Point presentation in not more than five slides.

Accommodation

A wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets and tastes can be found within the University of Calabar, Calabar and its neighbourhood. These include lodges, hostels, and guest-houses. The city also has excellent restaurants, bars and entertainment centres, and many other captivating activities. ATDiN is interacting with officials of the guest houses within the campus to offer special and agreeable rates to delegates.

Please contact the under listed for reservation and booking:

1. Telephone ATDiN Accommodation Reservations office on (+234) 809 316 7239; or
2. Email Reservations at ATDiNsecretariat@atdin.org.ng