IFITT Webinar: Metaverse in Tourism: From Virtual Experiences to Real Value
2025-07-10 16:00 - 17:00 (Europe/Vienna) | https://ifitt.net/event/ifitt-webinar-metaverse-tourism/
IFITT Webinar: Metaverse in Tourism: From Virtual Experiences to Real Value
Date & Time:Thursday, July 1016:00 CEST / 10:00 EDT / 15:00 BST
The International Federation for Information Technology and Travel & Tourism (IFITT) presents the next IFITT Webinar. These webinars aim to bring together global experts to share knowledge, inspire innovation, and explore the evolving landscape of technology and tourism. The next webinar is titled “Metaverse in Tourism: From Virtual Experiences to Real Value”.
The webinar will provide a comprehensive exploration of the Metaverse and its promising potential to revolutionize diverse activities, with a particular emphasis on virtual conferences. The Metaverse is conceptualized as an immersive, interoperable 3D environment that, although not fully realized yet, offers transformative opportunities similar to the advent of the Internet in the 1990s and smartphones in the 2000s. Among the most valuable prospects, the Metaverse promises to enhance accessibility, enabling broader participation by eliminating geographical and economic barriers associated with traditional face-to-face events. Conferences held in the Metaverse can substantially reduce travel costs and time investments, while simultaneously fostering more inclusive and dynamic engagement across global audiences.
One of the key advantages lies in the ability to create immersive, interactive presentations through technologies, which increase participants' involvement and enjoyment. The Metaverse facilitates novel networking opportunities by allowing attendees to interact through customized avatars in uniquely designed virtual spaces. This can stimulate more creative and informal exchanges compared to conventional conference settings. The presentation also highlights successful applications of
Metaverse environments in cultural and social contexts. In summary, the Metaverse holds significant potential to reshape the way conferences and professional gatherings are conducted, offering accessible, cost-effective, and engaging alternatives that can foster active participation, global collaboration, and community building in increasingly digitalized societies.
Discover fresh perspectives and potential research avenues: from early observations to entirely new greenfield opportunities waiting to be explored.
Whether you’re a researcher, industry professional, or simply curious, this IFITT Webinar promises to spark ideas beyond the obvious.
Speakers:
Carlos Flavián and Danielle McConnell
(More information about the speakers at the end of the page).
Registration for the Webinar
Registration closes at 11:59 CEST on Wednesday, July 9th.
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Carlos Flavián is Professor of Marketing at University of Zaragoza (SPAIN), leads the METODO Research Lab and is Spain’s most impactful marketing author. His research explores human-technology interactions (including Internet, AI, AR/VR/XR), studying both particularities of technology (usability) and perceptions, behavioral intentions and actual behaviors of consumers (adoption, recommendation, eWOM, satisfaction, loyalty…) on contexts such as tourism, retailing, etc. He holds editorial roles in several academic journals (including Strategy Editor of Service Industries Journal and Spanish Journal of Marketing-ESIC, Europe Regional Editor of International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management) and has guest edited several special issues in prestigious journals (International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management; Service Business; Service Industries Journal; Journal of Service Management; Journal of Service Theory and Practice; Psychology & Marketing). Clarivate Analytics has highlighted him as a highly cited researcher. He is the Spanish author with the highest scientific impact in the field of marketing according to the Stanford University list and several of his papers have been included among the top 20 most influential papers in the field of marketing internationally (according to the University of Florida).

Danielle McConnell is Head of Marketing at Virtway (Spain), a company specializing in enterprise-focused virtual environments and immersive technologies. She leads strategic initiatives that support the adoption of 3D virtual spaces and AI-based solutions for business applications. Her expertise lies in the integration of immersive technologies into marketing and business strategies, particularly within corporate training, virtual events, and internal communication. With degrees in International Business and Spanish from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, she began her career in event marketing and transitioned early into the virtual space, where she has remained since 2015. Danielle has guided the development of marketing frameworks for hundreds of projects in emerging tech sectors. Her work emphasizes measurable business outcomes through immersive engagement and digital innovation. As a bilingual professional, she collaborates with international organizations to implement scalable metaverse strategies aligned with enterprise goals. She maintains a strong interest in the evolution of immersive technologies and their impact on business performance, customer interaction, and organizational culture. Her approach combines creativity, behavioral insight, and strategic planning to help companies adapt to the rapidly changing digital landscape.

IFITT Webinar: The Economics of Service Robots in Hospitality
2025-09-10 16:00 - 17:00 | https://ifitt.net/event/ifitt-webinar-service-robots-hospitality/
IFITT Webinar: The Economics of Service Robots in Hospitality
Date & Time:Wednesday, September 10
16:00 CEST / 15:00 BST / 10:00 EDT
The International Federation for Information Technology and Travel & Tourism (IFITT) presents the next IFITT Webinar. These webinars aim to bring together global experts to share knowledge, inspire innovation, and explore the evolving landscape of technology and tourism. The next webinar is titled “The Economics of Service Robots in Hospitality”.
This session will feature both academic and industry perspectives on the growing use of service robots in hospitality. The academic part will present a conceptual framework exploring how robots affect tasks, processes, jobs, and performance metrics. Hospitality operations are seen as front-of-house (e.g. check-in, dining) and back-of-house (e.g. housekeeping, maintenance) processes composed of various tasks. Robots operate at the task level, and by automating tasks, they can transform entire processes. The likelihood of automation depends on task nature, frequency, standardisation, and complexity. Robots may substitute, augment, or reshape human roles, while also eliminating or creating new tasks.
Robot implementation requires alignment with employee skills and attitudes, as well as integration with legacy technologies. Robots may depend on, compete with, or operate independently from these systems, often requiring upgrades or replacements with cost implications. The presentation will also explore how companies pursue cost-saving, revenue-generation, or mixed strategies, shaped by factors such as robot costs, customer willingness to pay, competitor actions, and regulation.
The industry segment will address the financial and operational impact of integrating service robots into hotels, restaurants, and similar environments. Drawing on international case studies, it will highlight business drivers, investment decisions, and returns on automation. Participants will gain practical insights into how robotics is transforming service delivery, improving efficiency, and creating new value for operators. This session bridges theory and practice, offering strategic guidance for evaluating and scaling robotics adoption in hospitality.
Gain a deeper understanding of how robotics is reshaping hospitality—from theoretical frameworks to real-world applications. Whether you are a scholar, professional, or simply curious about the future of service, this IFITT Webinar will offer perspectives that challenge assumptions and inspire innovation.
Speakers:
Prof. Stanislav Ivanov & Francisco Javier Martín Romo
(More information about the speakers at the end of the page.)
Registration for the Webinar
Registration closes at 11:59 AM CEST on Monday, September 8th.
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Stanislav Ivanov
Dr. Stanislav Ivanov is a Professor at Varna University of Management, Bulgaria (http://www.vum.bg), and Director of Zangador Research Institute, Bulgaria (https://www.zangador.institute/en/). He is the Founder and (Co-)Editor-in-chief of two academic journals: European Journal of Tourism Research (http://ejtr.vumk.eu), indexed in Scopus and Web of Science, and ROBONOMICS: The Journal of the Automated Economy (https://journal.robonomics.science). He has (co-)authored over 250 publications. His current research interest includes robonomics, robots/artificial intelligence/automation in tourism/hospitality, the economics of technology, tourism economics, etc. For more information about Prof. Ivanov please visit his personal website: http://www.stanislavivanov.com

Francisco Javier Martín Romo
Francisco Javier Martín Romo, born in Salamanca, Spain, is a technology enthusiast with a strong passion for robotics and its real-world applications. He firmly believes in the positive impact automation can have on both business operations and people’s lives. Francisco holds a Law degree from the University of Salamanca, an MBA in Business Administration, and has completed additional training in robotics and artificial intelligence. His professional journey began in the hospitality sector, where he gained international experience in cities such as London, Dubai, and Oman. In 2015, a pivotal encounter with the Moley Robotics project in London sparked his interest in the role of robotics in service industries. This led him to found the Hospitality Robotics Group in 2019, one of the first digital communities focused on service automation. Francisco currently serves as Country Manager at KEENON Robotics EMEA and leads the organization of the annual Foodservice Robotics Pioneers summit, held at the HIP Expo in Madrid since 2020.

ENTER26 eTourism conference
2026-01-27 - 2026-01-30 | Breda University of Applied Sciences (BUAS), Monseigneur Hopmansstraat 2, 4817 JS, Breda, Netherlands
The International Federation for IT and Travel & Tourism (IFITT) is delighted to announce Breda as the host city for the ENTER26 eTourism Conference. Nestled in the south of the Netherlands, Breda is a picturesque mid-sized city renowned for its rich history, vibrant culture, and exceptional connectivity. Located at the crossroads of major European cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Brussels, Breda offers an easily accessible and inspiring venue for this landmark event from 27th to 30th January 2026.
Breda University of Applied Sciences: Our Esteemed Partner
ENTER26 will be organized by Breda University of Applied Sciences (BUAS), a premier higher education institution celebrated for its commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and innovation. With approximately 7,500 students hailing from over 60 countries, BUAS offers 17 bachelor’s and 12 master’s programs across a diverse array of disciplines, including Tourism, Hospitality, Leisure, Gaming, Media, and Logistics.
Since its founding in 1966, BUAS has earned numerous accolades, establishing itself as a leader in applied sciences education. Its unique teaching and learning approach seamlessly integrates academic theory with practical industry experience, creating an exceptional environment for student success. More information about BUAS’s innovative programs can be found here: BUAS – Creating Meaningful Experiences.
A Hub for Innovation in eTourism
As a long-standing member of the IFITT community, BUAS boasts expertise in areas such as digital experience design, digital skills development, online communication, and AI & data science in tourism. Recently, the university launched the Hospitality, Tourism, Innovation & Technology (HTIT) knowledge platform to enhance academia-industry collaboration, establish a national research agenda, and foster innovation through hubs and best practices.
Global Connections and National Leadership
BUAS is also one of the founding members of CELTH, the Dutch National Centre of Expertise in Leisure, Tourism, and Hospitality. Furthermore, it serves as the home of ATLAS (the Association for Tourism and Leisure Education and Research), a global network of 150 universities committed to advancing tourism and leisure studies.
Join Us in Breda for ENTER26
IFITT and BUAS are thrilled to invite you to Breda for the ENTER26 eTourism Conference. This event promises to be an extraordinary opportunity to explore cutting-edge developments in IT and tourism, network with global experts, and immerse yourself in the inspiring atmosphere of Breda.
Mark your calendars and get ready to experience the future of eTourism in one of Europe’s most dynamic and welcoming cities. We look forward to seeing you in Breda in 2026!
