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The 9th Annual Conference of Islands Tourism & Hospitality Management (SEAMA2026) will be held from 1–4 March 2026 at Green Commons (Building J), Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU), located in Beppu, Japan. The conference will adopt a hybrid format, enabling participation both in person and online, thereby enhancing accessibility for international scholars and practitioners.
The overarching theme of SEAMA2026, “Happiness and Well-being for Tourists, Local Communities, and Tourism Businesses: Towards Balanced Coexistence in Tourism,” addresses one of the most pressing challenges facing contemporary tourism development. The conference aims to explore practical models and strategic approaches that reconcile economic vitality with social harmony, cultural preservation, and environmental sustainability.
Beppu as a Living Context for Well-being-Oriented Tourism
The choice of Beppu as the host destination is highly symbolic and academically relevant. As one of Japan’s most renowned hot spring cities, Beppu is home to more than 2,000 onsen sources and boasts over 1,000 years of therapeutic bathing culture. This unique setting provides an experiential backdrop for scholarly discussions on health, relaxation, and well-being in tourism.
Equally significant is the venue, APU, recognized as one of Asia’s most multicultural universities, with students and faculty representing over 100 countries. Overlooking Beppu Bay, the campus offers an ideal environment for cross-cultural dialogue, interdisciplinary exchange, and global collaboration in tourism studies.
Conference Highlights and Program Overview
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1 March 2026: Local Walk Tour in Beppu (16:00) and Welcome Dinner (optional).
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2 March 2026: Opening Ceremony, Keynote Addresses 1 & 2, Panel Discussion, and Parallel Session 1.
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3 March 2026: Keynote Addresses 3 & 4, Parallel Session 2, and Closing Ceremony (16:30).
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4 March 2026: One-Day Field Trip to Beppu and surrounding areas (participation fee required).
Distinguished International Keynote Speakers
SEAMA2026 will feature an eminent lineup of keynote speakers representing diverse geographical and disciplinary perspectives:
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Tadayuki Hara – University of Central Florida, USA, a specialist in tourism finance and management and a pioneer in tourism-related MOOCs.
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Carolin Funck – Đại học Hiroshima, Nhật Bản.
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Tamara Rátz – Kodolányi János University, Hungary, an internationally recognized scholar focusing on responsible tourism and post-COVID tourism transformation.
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Jamie Gillen – University of Auckland, New Zealand, whose work examines the geopolitics of tourism and socio-economic transformation, particularly in Southeast Asia.
Special Panel Discussion: Tourism in the Digital Age
A key intellectual highlight of the conference is the panel discussion entitled
“The ‘Selfie–Smartphone’ Paradox: Balancing Digital Narcissism with Community Well-being.”
The session will be moderated by Yanki Hartijasti (University of Indonesia) and will bring together distinguished panelists from Australia, South Korea, India, and Taiwan. This discussion critically examines the tension between digitally mediated self-presentation in tourism and its implications for host community well-being, reflecting timely debates in tourism studies and digital sociology.
Call for Papers and Research Themes
SEAMA2026 welcomes paper and poster submissions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
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Island and maritime tourism
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Sustainable tourism and hospitality management
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Destination management and regional branding
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Sports tourism and related fields
Abstract submission (250–300 words, 3–5 keywords):
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First deadline: 31 January 2026
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Second deadline: 14 February 2026
📧 Submission and registration email: h2280504@apu.ac.jp
Participation and Registration
The conference offers flexible participation options for academics, practitioners, and students, with differentiated fees for in-person and remote attendance. On-site participants will complete payment at the registration desk during the conference, while details for remote payment will be announced upon abstract acceptance or registration confirmation.
Towards a More Balanced Future of Tourism
SEAMA2026 is not merely an annual academic gathering; it is an international forum dedicated to rethinking the future of tourism through the lens of shared happiness and well-being. By integrating scholarly insight with a meaningful destination context, the conference seeks to generate innovative perspectives, actionable models, and enduring international networks that contribute to more balanced and inclusive tourism development worldwide.
