ICRTH 2026 Digital Innovations and Human Interactions for Meaningful Impacts through Responsible Tourism

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The 6th International Conference on Responsible Tourism and Hospitality (ICRTH 2026) has officially launched, inviting submissions of extended abstracts and impact stories. The event, which convenes senior leaders from the Sarawak Government, UN Tourism, and leading academic institutions, promises to be a global forum on sustainable tourism.

MIRI, SARAWAK – The registration portal for the 6th International Conference on Responsible Tourism and Hospitality (ICRTH 2026) is now officially open. Scheduled from 06 to 11 July 2026, this significant event will be held at the Eastwood Valley Golf & Country Club, Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia, in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign.

Centered on the theme: “Digital Innovations and Human Interactions for Meaningful Impacts through Responsible Tourism,” ICRTH 2026 aims to foster innovative solutions that integrate technology with the human element to shape a sustainable tourism future and generate tangible positive impacts.

Conference Leadership: Esteemed Patronage

A key feature of ICRTH 2026 is the participation and co-chairmanship of highly influential figures from tourism, governance, and academia, demonstrating a strong commitment from both the public and private sectors. The Conference Chairs include:

• Hon. Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Sarawak, Malaysia. His patronage affirms the strategic importance of responsible tourism to Sarawak’s development trajectory.
• Hon. Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew: Deputy Minister for Tourism, Sarawak, Malaysia. His involvement underscores the direct support and commitment of the local government to the conference’s success.
• Mr. Haerry Hwang: Director, Regional Department for Asia and the Pacific, UN Tourism. The presence of a high-level representative from UN Tourism lends a global perspective and international acclaim to the conference, aligning Sarawak’s efforts with global sustainability goals.
• Dr. Tiong Ying Ying: Representative from Curtin University Malaysia. As co-chair, Dr. Tiong provides academic endorsement and research expertise, linking the conference with the scholarly community.
• Dr. Tan Kim Lim: Representative from James Cook University, Singapore Campus. Dr. Tan’s participation broadens the conference’s academic network regionally, promoting international research collaboration.

Call for Submissions: Sharing Knowledge and Impact

ICRTH 2026 features a dual call for submissions, welcoming contributions from both researchers and practitioners. The submission deadline is 10 April 2026.

1. Call for Extended Abstracts:
   • Target Audience: Researchers, academics, and postgraduate students.
   • Requirement: A submission length of 1000 – 1500 words. (Note: The organizing committee will not accept short abstracts (100-150 words) or full papers).
   • Objective: To present new research findings, theoretical frameworks, and in-depth analyses related to responsible tourism.
2. Call for Impact Stories:
   • Target Audience: Tourism enterprises, destination managers, NGOs, community leaders, and content creators.
   • Requirement: A compelling and insightful narrative of 700 – 1000 words.
   • Objective: To share practical experiences, lessons learned (from successes or failures), and to emphasize the tangible positive impacts that initiatives have delivered to communities or the environment.

Detailed Academic Submission Requirements

To foster in-depth and high-quality discussions, ICRTH 2026 adopts a specific submission format:

• Format: Only Extended Abstracts will be accepted.
• Length: Submissions must be between 1000 and 1500 words.
• Excluded Formats: The conference will NOT review or accept short abstracts (100-150 words) or full papers during the initial submission phase.
• Guidelines: Submissions must strictly adhere to the provided guidelines and template and must be uploaded via the official registration portal.
• Relevance: Submissions not relevant to the conference themes will be rejected.

Thematic Tracks for Submissions

Extended abstracts are encouraged to focus on the 20 diverse thematic tracks of the conference, which are broadly categorized as follows:

Foundations, Governance, and Partnerships:

• Historical Development and Global Relevance of Responsible Tourism.
• Governance and Responsible Business Practices.
• Stakeholder and Organisation Behaviours in Responsible Tourism.
• Effective Partnerships and Diplomacy through Tourism.
• Responsible Leadership and Citizenship in Tourism Management.

Socio-Economic Impact and Community Development:

• Responsible Tourism Priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Economic Prosperity through Responsible Tourism.
• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion through Responsible Tourism.
• Youth Empowerment and Responsible Innovation through Tourism.
• Community-led Destination Stewardship.

Environmental Sustainability and Heritage Conservation:

• Environmental Sustainability through Responsible Tourism.
• Biodiversity Conservation and Human Wellness through Responsible Tourism.
• Preservation of Cultural Heritage through Responsible Tourism.

Innovation, Education, and the Future of Tourism:

• Leveraging Digital Solutions to Redesign Tourism.
• Responsible Mobilisation of Resource in Tourism Ecosystem.
• Cultivating a Responsible Mindset in Tourism.
• Rethink and Redesign Tourism Education for Real Impact.
• The Paradox of Sustainability and Call for Responsibility.
• The Future of Tourism through the Lens of Responsibility.
• Priorities of Responsible Tourism in Southeast Asia.

Publication and Presentation Opportunities

Authors of accepted extended abstracts will have the opportunity to:

• Present their research (either in-person or virtually) at a prestigious international forum.
• Be considered for publication in the SCOPUS-Indexed Proceedings (subject to a publication fee).
• Be published free of charge in the ISBN-Indexed Publication.

Key Dates for Authors

Researchers and authors should note the following key dates:

• 03 October 2025: Registration & Call for Submissions Opens.
• 10 April 2026: Submission Deadline for Extended Abstracts and Impact Stories.
• 06 July 2026: Pre-conference Workshops.
• 07-09 July 2026: Main Conference.
• 10-11 July 2026: Responsible Tourism Fieldwork.

Comprehensive 6-Day Programme

The conference schedule is designed to maximize interaction, learning, and experiential opportunities:

• 06 July 2026: Pre-conference Workshops.
• 07-09 July 2026: Main Conference, featuring:
  • Keynote & Professional Dialogues.
  • Academic Presentations.
  • Impact Stories sessions.
  • Technical Seminars.
  • Booth visiting.
  • Award Giving Ceremony (including the “Responsible Tourism (RT) Awards in Southeast Asia”).
  • Networking Dinner.
• 10-11 July 2026: Responsible Tourism Fieldwork at Niah National Park and other local destinations.

Registration Information and Fees

The conference offers various registration packages, including 3-day full-access passes and virtual attendance options, with special concession rates available for students.

General Fee (USD / MYR)

This is an unmissable opportunity to be part of a global movement, learn from leading experts, and contribute to generating meaningful impacts through tourism.

To register, submit a paper, and for more detailed information, please visit: https://icrth.responsibleborneo.com/ICRTH2026

For inquiries regarding partnership and sponsorship, please contact: icrth.admin@responsibleborneo.com