Themed Issue: Mediterranean Tourism

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Themed Issue Curators

Dimitrios Buhalis, Bournemouth University, UK, dbuhalis@bournemouth.ac.uk

Filipa Brandao, University of Aveiro, Portugal, filipa.brandao@ua.pt

Leonidas Efthymiou, University of Nicosia, Cyprus, efthymiou.l@unic.ac.cy

Marie Louise Mangion, University of Malta, marie-louise.mangion@um.edu.mt

Introduction

Mediterranean tourism stands at a defining crossroads, where the imperatives of sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience must evolve into a broader vision of regenerative development. The region, with its extraordinary natural beauty, cultural diversity, and historical depth, faces mounting challenges stemming from climate change, seasonal and special concentration, urbanisation, and shifting geopolitical and economic realities. Rapid technological developments also create both opportunities and disruptions, transforming how tourism destinations and organisations are managed, experienced, and communicated. From digital governance systems and smart tourism platforms to artificial intelligence, immersive media, and data-driven decision-making, technology can enable regeneration when ethically and inclusively applied. 

This themed issue seeks to advance research that positions regenerative tourism as the next frontier in destination management and policy. It calls for contributions that examine how Mediterranean destinations can move beyond sustainability to create net-positive impacts, revitalising not only the environment but also local cultures, livelihoods, and wellbeing. Through innovative governance models, evidence-based policymaking, and collaborative planning frameworks, Mediterranean tourism can enhance its competitiveness while remaining deeply rooted in its ecological and cultural foundations. Equally, this themed issue invites research that explores the interconnected dimensions of regeneration across tourism policy, practice, and experience. Papers may address how community empowerment and co-creation foster mutually beneficial relationships between tourists, residents, and local enterprises, ensuring that all stakeholders share in tourism’s benefits. Scholars are encouraged to investigate how Mediterranean cultural heritage and creative industries can serve as catalysts for regeneration, how climate action and environmental stewardship can reshape destination management, and how digitalisation, smart technologies, and innovation can support sustainability transitions. Rapid technological change also opens new pathways for inclusive participation, accessibility, and knowledge sharing across the Mediterranean, stimulating cross-border cooperation and integrated regional development. Submissions may also explore how competitiveness and resilience can be enhanced through diversification, inclusive planning, and regional collaboration, whilst guiding policy and practice. 

Collectively, the contributions will illuminate how tourism can act as a bridge between economic vitality, social equity, and environmental restoration, helping Mediterranean destinations regenerate their resources and communities while inspiring global best practice in tourism development. 

Suggested Themes

We welcome papers on the following (but not limited to) Mediterranean Tourism topics:

1. Policy, planning, and governance for sustainable and regenerative tourism, focusing on the strategic, institutional, and policy dimensions that shape tourism development and management:

• Regenerative tourism
• Sustainable tourism policy and planning
• Governance, policies and institutions
• Policy, planning, and development
• Government intervention in tourism
• Regional innovation and technology
• Life cycle of tourism destinations
• Economic policy, finance and regions
• Politics, governance and society
• Public policymaking and processes
• Insularity and island challenges.

2. Innovation, technology, and smart systems in tourism, exploring how emerging technologies are transforming tourism systems, operations, and experiences, artificial intelligence and service robots:

• Robots and AI
• Big data and management for tourism
• E-tourism and Tourism 2.0
• Information technologies in tourism
• Intelligent systems and smart destinations
• Metaverse and immersion
• Smart tourism and information systems planning
• Knowledge management and innovation
• Digital marketing and interactive communication.

3. Marketing, branding, and consumer experience investigating how destinations and businesses create value through marketing strategies, consumer understanding, and brand development:

• Branding in tourism and hospitality
• Marketing strategies and innovations
• Marketing places, events, and spaces
• Tourism communication strategies
• Consumer behaviour and decision-making
• Tourist experience, expectations, and satisfaction
• Value co-creation in tourism services
• Co-creation and customer engagement
• Social media and influencer marketing
• Destination image, film, and fashion tourism.

4. Community, culture, and heritage in tourism focusing on cultural, social, and community dimensions of tourism development and their role in regeneration and resilience:

• Community-based tourism
• Culture and cultural heritage
• Art and heritage
• Food and gastronomy tourism
• Event, sport, and festival tourism
• Film and drama tourism
• Agrotourism and rural tourism
• Eco-tourism and sustainability
• Locals-residents relations and resistance to tourism

5. Human capital, education, and organizational development highlighting talent management, human resource development, training, leadership, and organizational innovation across tourism and hospitality:

• Employment and training
• Educational management
• Talent management and human resource management
• Entrepreneurship and SMEs
• Strategic management innovation
• Knowledge innovation in hospitality and marketing
• Innovation, creativity and change
• Corporate social responsibility (CSR)
• Equality, diversity, and labour operations.

6. Resilience, risk, and climate action focuses on managing crises, environmental challenges, and the transition toward climate-resilient destinations:

• Climate change, energy, and environment
• Crisis management and resilience
• Safety and crisis management
• Seasonality
• Health, medical, spa, and wellness tourism
• Green infrastructure and adaptation.

7. Accessibility, inclusion, and well-being. This final cluster reflects the growing importance of inclusive, ethical, and equitable tourism for all:

• Accessible and inclusive tourism
• Disability and inclusion
• Equality, diversity, and inclusion
• Health, medical, spa, and wellness tourism
• Co-created value and empowerment
• Social policy welfare and well-being in tourism
• Ageing, demography, and migration.

Timeline

Announcement: October 2025 

Deadline: March 15, 2026 

Publication of Themed Issue: 2027