The Ninth world conference for graduate research in tourism, hospitality and leisure [Conference Note]

Abstract

The 9th World Conference for Graduate Research in Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure was held from 6th to 11th June 2017 in Cartagena, Spain. This biennial conference series which was launched in 2002 was hosted by the internationally respected tourism and hospitality research journal ANATOLIA and the Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena in Spain. Since its birth, the main goal of this Conference has been to provide a forum for research collaboration and mentoring of emerging tourism researchers in order to share their research experience. With this goal in mind, the Conference brings together academic researchers, graduate students, industry professionals and government officials in order to provide a platform for quality discussion on collaboration between academia and industry for effective knowledge sharing and utilization of research, tourism trends, and future hot spots for both academia and industry. Most of all, it provides a forum for networking amongst graduate students and researchers and a platform for the exchange of cutting-edge research in hospitality and tourism. Over 100 delegates from over 15 countries spanning across six continents attended the conference. The four-day event included three interactive pre-conference seminars, one inspiring keynote reflection panel with both academia and industry members, diverse paper presentations, as well as awards and engaging social activities.