A new international call for papers invites scholars and tourism professionals to examine the role of tourism in transforming post-industrial regions. The special issue will be published in the academic journal Turyzm/Tourism, one of Poland’s premier journals dedicated to tourism research, published by the University of Lodz. It focuses on how tourism can promote sustainable development in areas formerly dependent on industrial production. 

Many European regions face challenges after the decline of traditional industries, including economic restructuring, urban regeneration, and the search for new identities and growth models. Heritage tourism linked to industrial history is increasingly viewed as a catalyst for transformation. The initiative is in partnership with international organisations such as the UNIC European University of Cities in Post-Industrial Transition and the IUCG Committee on the Geography of Tourism, Leisure, and Global Change. This reflects growing academic and policy interest in how tourism can support resilient local and regional development.

 Researchers are encouraged to submit papers on topics such as industrial heritage tourism, destination transformation, sustainable tourism growth, and emerging tourism paradigms in former industrial areas. The issue aims to gather innovative perspectives on how tourism can help reshape local economies while safeguarding cultural identities and heritage. 

Submission deadlines include abstracts by June 2026, with full papers due later that year, and publication planned for 2027. Accepted articles may be published early online for prompt dissemination. 

This topic is especially relevant for European tourism, as many cities and regions are transitioning economically and using tourism as a tool for regeneration. From heritage routes and cultural landscapes to creative tourism, these efforts can diversify economies, attract visitors, and reinforce regional identity. By linking academic research with practical challenges faced by destinations, this special issue aims to contribute to broader discussions on sustainable tourism development and innovation in Europe. The insights from this research can assist policymakers, destination managers, and tourism businesses in understanding how tourism supports long-term resilience in regions undergoing structural change.

More information and submission details:
https://czasopisma.uni.lodz.pl/tourism/announcement/view/297

#Sustainable Tourism #Cultural Preservation #Tourism Development #Innovation In Tourism #Resilience Planning