Peer-Reviewed Ideas Exchange

Submit both a short abstract (250 words or less) and an extended abstract (max 1,200 words) for the opportunity to deliver a 15-minute oral presentation at the 2025 World Tourism Forum. Submissions will be reviewed by CREST’s academic committee. Presenters are encouraged (but not required) to also display a poster during the Ideas Exchange networking session.

Peer Review Research Submission Process and Guidelines:

Academic paper submissions to the Ideas Exchange will be reviewed in a single-blind format by a CREST Academic Affiliate Committee. We will accept between 10-15 total papers based on relation to the event subject matter, academic excellence, rigor, and inventiveness.

We invite original research, real-world case studies, and conceptual contributions that can inform and inspire practitioners to Transform Tourism Practices to Sustain the Places we Love. Submissions will be required to share the following:

• Author(s) | Institution(s) | Contact Details
• Research Title
• Short abstract (max 250 words)
• Extended abstract (max 1,200 words) (please ensure the extended abstract includes the following)
  • Include research context & relevance
  • Focus | Objective(s) of the research. Clearly state the research question or challenge area that the research addresses.
  • Methodology
  • Findings
  • In line with the event’s theme, how can this ‘Knowledge spark impact”?
    • Briefly describe how tourism practitioners, businesses, destinations, or policymakers can use the findings or ideas from your research to transform their practices? In the field – what can your peers do to drive more sustainable, equitable, or resilient travel/tourism?
• Indicate whether you’ll also be bringing a poster or not (We hope you will!)

If selected, you will be invited to present your work for a total of 15 minutes at the World Tourism Forum – including Q&A.

Submit a research poster proposal to be featured during the Forum’s Ideas Exchange session. This is ideal for academic research-in-progress, applied research, or pilot initiatives seeking informal feedback, visibility, and networking opportunities. However, if you’re not a researcher, but have a compelling tourism initiative, community project, case study, or example of cross-sector collaboration you want share – you are still welcome to submit a poster to our Ideas Exchange.

Poster Session Submission Process and Guidelines

The poster session is a fantastic opportunity to engage with attendees, gather ideas via your “sticky note” box, and display information from your research, data, and project on your poster.

Participants selected will be provided an easel or board to display their poster at the venue. Poster size is typically 24” x 36”.

1. Author(s)/Researcher(s) | Institution(s) | Contact Details
2. A bold research question or idea to be placed at the top of your poster.
3. 200 word-max abstract of the work / presentation
4. Extended abstract or full paper (not-required), if you’d like to share.
5. Relevance to the theme of the event, “Sustainable Transformation” or any of the topics listed below.

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

1. Originality and innovation in tourism research
2. Relevance to the theme and sub-theme of the event: “Sustainable Transformation: Where Knowledge Sparks Impact”
3. Practical implications and applicability of findings
4. Clarity and coherence of presentation

If selected, you will be required to purchase tickets to the World Tourism Forum within 2-weeks. This is to ensure that other researchers have the opportunity to present if you are unable to attend.