The conference brings together perspectives from the fields of historical and cultural studies, linguistics and the social sciences to explore the complex interrelationships between tourism, colonial heritage, the pursuit of decolonial practices and the (re)production of authenticity in intercultural encounters. Deadline for submissions is 15th of December 2026.
Postcolonial, decolonial, authentic? (Re-) imagining tourism in the 21st century
Tourism in the 21st century operates within a complex web of historical, cultural, and economic dynamics, many of which are deeply rooted in colonial legacies. Issues such as climate change, overtourism, stereotypes, visa injustices, land grabbing, threats to minority languages and cultures, and human rights violations are examples of severe inequalities. As global mobility increases, so does the need to critically examine the ways in which tourism shapes and is shaped by neo-, post- and decolonial discourses.
This conference aims to bring together interdisciplinary perspectives from anthropology, cultural studies, linguistics, geography, history, sociology, and tourism research to foster transdisciplinary discussions and reflections on ongoing or completed research, theoretical questions and research methodologies. Moreover, it seeks to explore the multifaceted relationships between tourism, colonial heritage, the pursuit of decolonial practices and the (re-)production of authenticity in intercultural encounters. We welcome contributions (presentations or posters) from scholars, researchers, and practitioners at all career stages focusing on, but not limited to, the following themes:
Authenticity in touristified intercultural encounters
Tourists often seek authentic experiences, but these encounters are frequently staged, commodified, influenced by unequal power dynamics and an exploitation of cultural aspects. How is authenticity constructed, performed, and contested in tourist interactions? What are the implications of these dynamics for cultural preservation, identity, and agency?
Colonial continuities in tourism
In both formerly colonized countries and former colonizing nations, tourism can serve as a medium through which colonial heritage is remembered, reinterpreted, or erased. How exactly do touristic products and practices such as city tours address – or obscure – colonial histories? How is the colonial heritage dealt with in the tourism sector?
(Re-)Presentation of people, cultures and languages in travel guides
Travel guides may play a pivotal role in shaping tourists’ perceptions of destinations and their inhabitants. They often reinforce stereotypes or promote a limited version of history. How exactly do particular travel guides shape perceptions of authenticity and otherness? What is the role of local languages and indigenous knowledge in decolonizing tourism discourse?
Submission
We welcome abstracts (1 page) for 30-minute presentations as well as submissions for the poster session as one PDF file to tourism-watch(at)ecpat.de by December 15th 2026. The conference language is English – a restriction we acknowledge as problematic, given English's dominance in global knowledge production. Therefore, submissions in other languages (Spanish, German, French, etc.) are nonetheless welcome. We will do our best to ensure mutual understanding, asking participants to accept possible minor inconveniences due to e.g. mixed-language sessions.