Join the 75th AIEST Conference in St. Gallen (Switzerland) 23-26 August 2026
This is a jubilee conference that brings AIEST back to its founding place. The first conference of AIEST contributed to the modern definition of tourism. The topic of this very special conference therefore is again linked to fundamental concepts of tourism research. In a consensus session at the end of the conference, we will try to find a common basis for an adapted understanding of "tourism" in a structured discussion. The outcome of this discussion will be published in a paper.
The conference hosts are welcoming you!
from left to right: Pietro Beritelli, Thomas Bieger and Christian Laesser from the University of St. Gallen
Receive feedback on your work in a friendly and critical-constructive atmosphere. Submit contributions at different stages of your work seeking feedback on your plans or your results.
You do not have to waive any (copy) rights whatsoever with regard to the work you submit. Try to win one of the four potential prices. Develop personal contacts, facilitate exchange of views and experience. Develop partnerships and cooperation potential between scientific institutions, and centres of research and education. Enjoy interesting keynotes and targeted workshops for your needs. Take part in the discussion on what tourism really is and in shaping a common new understanding.
Join the AIEST Research Exchange and get insights for publishing with top international scientific journals.
Experience Swiss tradition in and around St. Gallen and let yourself be surprised by the exciting social programme.
Join the trip to amazing Jungfraujoch Top of Europe (3,454 m) on 27 August 2026.
The AIEST Conference includes keynote speeches from leading professionals, discussing current topics and challenges. During the sessions, participants share their research results, each contribution is supported by a discussion aimed at exchanging views and advancing tourism research. During the conference, the AIEST General Meeting is organized, as well. In addition, the technical excursion aims at strengthening networking between participants and providing an excellent ‘taste’ of the visited destination.
Venue: Hotel SAS Radisson St. Gallen, Switzerland
Contribute to the following streams
- Stream of Discussion 1: Tourism definition(s) revisited - 75 years after the first AIEST conference.
- Stream of Discussion 2: Designing tourism systems for a sustainable future.
- Stream of Discussion 3: AIEST's Advances in Tourism Research: Perspectives of Actors, Institutions and Systems.
Submission deadline End of February 2026.
Registration and prices
Full Conference Registration
AIEST member: 600 EUR (Early Bird until 31 May 2026, Regular 700 EUR from 1 June - 11 August 2026)
AIEST non-member: 800 EUR (Early Bird until 31 May, 2026; Regular 900 EUR from 1 June - 11 August 2026)
The full conference package includes within the time frame of the conference:
- Entrance to all working sessions during the whole period of the conference
- Conference materials
- Welcome Reception on Sunday
- Coffee breaks from Monday to Wednesday
- Lunches from Monday to Wednesday
- Dinners from Monday to Wednesday
- Technical excursion including transportation and activities
Not included: Accommodation, any other food and beverages, Airport transfer and any other transportation costs (apart from those explicitly mentioned), any personal expenses.
Register as a member of AIEST Register as a non-member
Accompanying persons may register separately. As member of AIEST you may let your accompanying person register for the reduced member price. Please note that the accompanying person is not allowed to hold oral presentations.
Daily Registration
Please note: Daily registration is limited to a maximum of two individual days and allows attendance on the conference day only, but does not allow for holding oral presentations.
300 EUR (Early Bird until May 2026, Regular 350 EUR 1 June - 11 August 2026)
This price includes:
- Daily conference pack: entrance to the working session on the particular day and social programme
- Conference materials
- Coffee break(s) on the particular day
- Lunch and dinner on the particular day
Not included:
- Accommodation (Hotel SAS Radisson St.Gallen)
- Any other food and beverages, apart from the explicitly mentioned
- Airport transfers and any other transportation costs, apart from the explicitly mentioned
- Any personal expenses
Cancellation policy
Up to 2 months before conference: full refund minus a € 100.-- administrative fee.
Up to 1 month before conference: 25% of registration fee will be refunded.
Less than 1 month before conference: no refund will be issued.
Conference participants are advised that by attending the AIEST international conference they may be portrayed by multiple means, including photography and video recording. They hereby grant the AIEST and the local AIEST host the right to use and publish their names, voices, and likenesses forever and for any purpose without the AIEST and AIEST host incurring debts or liabilities of any kind.
Dates and deadlines
5 April 2026
Final author notification about acceptance of submission(s) and presentation at conference
6 April 2026
Early bird registration starts
31 May 2026
Early bird registration ends
10 August 2026
Registration ends; onsite registration available
23 August 2026
Conference begins
Win an award!
The AIEST BEST CONTRIBUTION AWARD for the overall best contribution at this conference.
The PETER KELLER AWARD for the best contribution uniting theory and practice.
The AIEST PhD AWARD for the best academic contribution of a PhD candidate at this conference.
The AIEST CRITICAL FRIEND AWARD for the audience member who provides the most constructive feedback on the work presented throughout the conference.
Join the AIEST Research Exchange
Sunday, 23 August 2026
Participation at the AIEST Research Exchange is free of charge, provided you attend the AIEST conference.
The Research Exchange aims at fostering cooperation between members, and providing mentorship for academics regarding their activities, including conducting high-quality research, developing research methodology, publishing results in highly ranked journals, and enhancing the societal impact of tourism research.
Download the master copy
and submit by 30 April 2026 to:
Judit Sulyok, PhD AIEST Director of Conferences, sulyok.judit@gtk.uni-pannon.hu
Pitch Sessions during the conference
Project collaborations: Present your own (planned) projects and invite colleagues to collaborate.
Tourism definition(s) revisited: Introduce your proposal for adjustments regarding tourism definitions.
Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe on 27 August 2026
Join the exclusive post-conference tour. Only for AIEST conference participants.
Sponsored by Jungfrau Railways
The conference is kindly sponsored by:
Locher Brewery of Appenzell
Goba Mineral spring and Manufacture
Jungfrau - Top of Europe