The IFITT annual conference ENTER26 was successfully held at Breda University of Applied Sciences, bringing together the international tourism and technology research community under the motto “Advancing Tourism Technology for a Better Future”.
ENTER26 attracted 189 registered delegates and received 171 research submissions, confirming the conference’s strong international reach and academic relevance. Following a rigorous selection process, 141 contributions were accepted and presented during the conference.
A strong and diverse scientific programme
The scientific programme included 54 full papers, 29 working papers, 4 posters, 32 stand-up presentations, and 2 research discussions, reflecting both methodological diversity and topical relevance. In addition, 20 Ph.D. proposals were discussed during the Ph.D. Workshop.
The Research Track, chaired by Professor Peter O’Connor, Professor Mattia Rainoldi, and Professor Julia Neidhart, maintained a double-blind peer review process for all submissions, including both full and short papers, ensuring the high academic standards traditionally associated with the ENTER conference series.
A total of 54 full papers were selected for publication in the Springer proceedings Information and Communication Technologies in Tourism 2026, with temporary access granted to authors and IFITT members. Working papers were published in the Adjunct Proceedings.
The Ph.D. Workshop, chaired by Dr. Kasha Minor, Dr. Rodolfo Baggio, Dr. Jelena Farkić, and Dr. Arkadiusz Tomczyk, hosted 20 doctoral participants and focused on five core thematic areas: Smart Tourism, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Transformation, Consumer Experience & Platforms, and Sustainability & Social Impact. In addition, the conference featured three specialized workshops, fostering in-depth discussion, mentoring, and collaboration across career stages.
Strengthening the IFITT community
Under the academic leadership of Professors Aurkene Alzua-Sorzabal, Alessandro Inversini, and Jessika Weber, and with the excellent hosting support of Breda University of Applied Sciences, ENTER26 once again confirmed its role as a flagship event for tourism and technology research.
The conference provided a vibrant platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and collaboration, reinforcing IFITT’s mission to advance cutting-edge research and to shape a more innovative, sustainable, and human-centred future for tourism.
See here more pictures about the ENTER26 Conference.
