When: September 2022 Delegates: 188
Location: Munster Technology University, Cork Economic impact*: €181k
WHAT MATTERS NOW TO THE GLOBAL TOURIST
Hosted at the Munster Technological University campus in Cork in 2022, the ATLAS International Tourism Conference is an annual event that addresses challenges facing the tourism and leisure industries.
The theme of the conference was "What matters now to the global tourist?", with the conference values aligned to Cork City and its "Our City, Our Future Plan", where sustainability is at the heart of future planning. The conference embraced sustainability, working collaboratively with Munster Technological University (MTU), Cork Convention Bureau and other stakeholders.
Organised by Munster Technological University (MTU), the conference was led by Conference Chair Dr Angela Wright, under the auspices of the Association for Tourism and Leisure Education and Research (ATLAS).
The ATLAS International Tourism Conference had a significant environmental impact, and below are some of the key highlights and outcomes:
- The newly extended reach of ATLAS as an advocate worldwide for sustainability was a major step forward, particularly driven by the presence of so many new members coming together in Cork.
- Responsible consumption was practised, including the eradication of single-use plastics, with food waste measures put in place such as pre-ordered food and the sourcing of locally produced and sustainably accredited food where possible.
- A "Leave No Waste" slogan was communicated with delegates and other stakeholders.
- A conference partnership with Cork City Bikes was forged, with bicycles provided at The Kingsley Hotel.
- Diversity, inclusion and equity was a focus area and, as a direct output of the conference, a new "Inclusive Access to Education" programme was developed.
- The conference organisers kept the local community at the core of the conference and aligned their programme to Cork City's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), exemplifying how SDGs set at a regional level can filter through to create sustainable business events.
"We planned and executed the event fully in-person and had the pleasure of hosting 188 delegates on the Bishopstown campus, Cork. There was a real sense of excitement in planning this event following a prolonged period of social distancing, and the success of the conference would not have been possible without the tremendous support of Cork Convention Bureau and the team at Fáilte Ireland."
— Dr Angela Wright, Conference Ambassador
The Association for Tourism and Leisure Education and Research (ATLAS) was established in 1991 to develop transnational educational initiatives in tourism and leisure. ATLAS provides a forum to promote staff and student exchange, transnational research and to facilitate curriculum and professional development. Membership is institutional and it currently has 194 members in 61 countries worldwide.
*Economic Value is estimated based on number of international delegates in attendance