We are pleased to announce that the International Conference on Destinations, Events and Sports will be held from May 8 to 11, 2025, at Hokkaido University in Sapporo. This inaugural conference, co-hosted by the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management, Hokkaido University, and The Hokkaido Shimbun Press, aims to provide an international platform for academic exchanges focusing on the future of tourism.

Tourism and hospitality management is a crucial field of study for building a sustainable future by maximizing the value that tourism brings to local communities and economies. This discipline plays a particularly significant role in the industrial development of Hokkaido and Florida, both renowned resort destinations where the three co-hosting organizations are based. Inspired by grassroots international exchanges between researchers in Hokkaido and Florida, this conference invites participants from around the globe to further expand networks and discussions.

To deepen discussions about the future of tourism, the conference will focus on the three key research areas of destinations, events, and sports, under the overarching theme of innovation and transformation. One of the challenges facing society today is the sustainable development of tourist destinations. Tourism not only creates temporary economic benefits but also carries the responsibility of preserving regional cultures and natural environments while contributing to peace through the appeal of these attractions and the exchange of people. To explore practical solutions together, we look forward to exchanging opinions with participants on these research areas and on challenges.

Hokkaido, the host location, is a premier resort destination in Asia. Its breathtaking seasonal beauty and rich cultural heritage will undoubtedly appeal to all participants. For Hokkaido University, this conference marks an important step towards its 150th anniversary in 2026 and serves as a milestone in strengthening industry–government–academia collaboration in the tourism sector.

We sincerely hope that many of you will take advantage of this excellent opportunity to participate in discussions that promise to contribute to the future development of tourism destinations, events and sports. We eagerly look forward to your participation and to the registration of your presentation topics.

We look forward to seeing you in Sapporo.

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE

• Dr. Krzysztof Celuch, Vistula University, Poland
• Dr. Michael Duignan, University of Paris 1 (Pantheon-Sorbonne), France
• Dr. Isabelle Frochot, University of Burgundy, France
• Dr. Xiaoxiao Fu, University of Central Florida, USA
• Dr. Heather Gibson, University of Florida, USA
• Dr. Marcus Hansen, Liverpool John Moores University, UK
• Dr. Tadayuki Hara, University of Central Florida, USA
• Dr. Jusuke Ikegami, Waseda University, Japan
• Dr. Hiromi Kamata, Hitotsubashi University, Japan
• Dr. Kyriaki (Kiki) Kaplanidou, University of Florida, USA
• Dr. James Kennell, University of Surrey, UK
• Dr. Morihiko Kinjo, University of the Ryukyus, Japan
• Dr. Jane Ali-Knight, Edinburgh Napier University, UK
• Dr. Brendon Knott, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa
• Dr. Maximiliano E. Korstanje, University of Palermo, Argentina
• Dr. Anna Leask, Edinburgh Napier University, UK
• Dr. Xinran Lehto, Purdue University, USA
• Dr. Bingna Lin, City University of Macau, China
• Dr. Mimi Li, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
• Dr. Michelle McLeod, University of the West Indies at Mona, Jamaica
• Dr. Judith Mair, University of Queensland, Australia
• Dr. Marco Nutta, Hitotsubashi University, Japan
• Dr. Eric Olson, Metropolitan State University of Denver, USA
• Dr. Stephen Pratt, University of Central Florida, USA
• Dr. Brent Ritchie, University of Queensland, Australia
• Dr. Richard Shipway, Bournemouth University, UK
• Dr. Naoki Wakabayashi, Kyoto University, Japan
• Dr. Youcheng Wang, University of Central Florida, USA
• Dr. Wei Wei, University of Central Florida, USA
• Dr. Yuichi Yamada, Ritsumeikan University, Japan
• Dr. Chaozhi Zhang, Sun Yat-Sen University, China
• Dr. Sotetsu Sen, Kyushu Sangyo University, Japan
• Dr. Noriko Takai Tokunaga, Kanagawa University, Japan
• Associate Prof. QU Meng, Hokkaido University, Japan
• Associate Prof. Yusuke Ishiguro, Hokkaido University, Japan
• Prof. Kozo Miyagawa, Rissho University, Japan
• Prof. Tastuo Oi, Rissho University, Japan
• Associate Prof. Bozana Zekan, MODUL University, Austria
• Prof. Ulrich Gunter, MODUL University, Austria
• Dr. Ubaldino Couto, Macao University of Tourism, Macao
• Dr. Jessica Wiitala, High Point University, USA
• Dr. Nick Wise, Arizona State University, USA
• Dr. Joanne Jung-Eun Yoo, University of Delaware, USA

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

Dear colleagues,

International Conference on Destinations, Events and Sports to be hosted in Sapporo, Japan, May 8-11, 2025. In addition to me, I am delighted to introduce Dr. Susanne Becken (Griffith University, Australia) and Dr. Peter Laimer(Statistics Austria) who will energize the conference with their insights and research. Two further industry keynotes will be introduced by the end of November. In addition to five keynote sessions and many concurrent sessions for research papers, the conference will include three panel sessions with participants spanning academia, industry, and government on the themes of: Adventure Tourism and Extreme Sports; Inclusive and Accessible Destinations and Events; Emerging Marketing Trends, VR, AR, and AI. Finally, arrangements are being made to facilitate a post-conference trip to the Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai, Japan.

General Conference Information:

• EasyChair is now open for ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS
• The conference will examine the contemporary innovations and transformations that are driving change across destinations, events and sports, and consequential future contributions to theory, research methods, policy, and practice.
• The UN Tourism Regional Support Office for Asia and the Pacific, Japan Tourism Agency, Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), Hokkaido Government, Hokkaido Tourism Organization, City of Sapporo, and the Sapporo Tourist Association are all generous supporters of the conference.
• Additional academic support provided by the journal of Event Management and the Journal of Destination Marketing & Management where we will be working with the respective editors to facilitate opportunities for post-conference publication.

Key conference dates:

• January 15, 2025 — Abstract Submission Deadline
• February 28, 2025 — Notification of Author Acceptance
• March 14, 2025 Early — Registration Deadline
• May 8-11, 2025 — Conference

Along with my colleagues Professor Hiroyuki Kamiyama (Hokkaido University, Japan) and Dr. Jeannie Hahm (University of Central Florida, USA) I very much look forward to meeting with many of you in the beautiful city of Sapporo, Japan, May 8-11, 2025.

Best wishes, Alan