ATLAS Africa Conference 2019

Kampala, Uganda 12-14 June, 2019

Tourism and Innovation

You can download: PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME (V5 4-6-2019) HERE ABSTRACT BOOK HERE LETTER WITH FINAL INFORMATION HERE

Introduction

The growth and development of the travel and tourism industry has been characterised by countless innovations, which cut across the entire travel and tourism value chain. Conceptually, innovations can be sustaining,  incremental, revolutionary, radical or transformational. Whereas sustaining or incremental innovations tend to strengthen and reinforce the existing structure and way of doing things in the industry, revolutionary or radical innovations seek for new ways of doing business. They can even be ‘disruptive’ in nature by for example creating new markets, networks, and a whole new range of tourism practices that, not only call for feelers to detect and if possible attune to these innovations, but also new modes of doing research and tourism business. More radical innovations should be well understood and require new skills and tools for adapting or knowing how to deal with the ‘new tourist/client/consumer’, as well as being sensitive to the enormous possibilities and opportunities that these innovations open up.

While innovation has become a buzzword in tourism practice, it is in many cases used without deeper reflection for anything that is moderately novel. In addition, scholarly work on innovation has been focusing on manufacturing industries and frequently has neglected the service sectors. Generally, the study of innovation in services and tourism in particular is still in its infancy and pioneering studies only appeared in the late 1990s. Given that many countries rely on tourism for their (economic) development, there is an urgent need to improve our understanding of innovativeness in this sector,  not the least because innovative capability is a critical factor for industry evolution and survival in light of tight competition, rapid market change and the “contest for the tourist dollar”. The ability to develop new products (goods or services),  new organizational methods in business practices, workplace organization or external relations, and identifying new markets, through aligning strategic innovative orientation with innovative behaviours and processes may create competitive advantage for new destinations.

This international conference therefore, aims at sharing knowledge, ideas and experiences among academicians, policy makers, entrepreneurs, governments, private sector organisations and general community interested in travel and tourism. The following sub themes have been identified under which abstracts can be submitted.

Up

Keynote speakers

Wineaster Anderson

Wineaster Anderson (PhD) is Associate Professor of Marketing at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania where she has been employed since 2001. She holds PhD (2008) and Masters (2005) in Tourism and Environmental Economics from University of Balearic Islands, Spain; MBA (2001) and Bachelor of Commerce (1999) from University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Prof. Anderson was formerly Dean and Associate Dean of University of Dar es Salaam Business School and Director of Quality Assurance for the University of Dar es Salaam. Prof. Anderson has researched and published widely in the areas of innovation and sustainability in tourism, international business, and internationalization for poverty alleviation, gender and marketing.

Professor Anderson is a recipient of various honours including the 2018 Tanzania Women Champions in Tourism Award (Africa Reconnect), 2015 Women of Achievement Award in Tanzania (TWAA), the Highly Commended African Management Research Fund Award (Emerald/ALCS) in 2010 and The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Honor for the Best Essay in 1999 on East Africa Community - Towards sustainable regional integration in East Africa. She has won several research grants including DANIDA (Denmark), SIDA (Sweden), Conselleria d’Economia, Hisenda i Innovació of the Balearic Islands (Spain) and HEI – ICI (Finland).

She was a Keynote Speaker at The International Congress on Coastal and Marine Tourism (CMT 2017), University of Gothenburg, Sweden. From 13th to 16th of June 2017; also at Tomorrow`s Food Travel (TFT 2018) Conference organised by Centre for Tourism at the University of Gothenburg, West Sweden Tourism Board, Visit Sweden (National Destination Management Organization), and Gothenburg and Co. (Local Destination Management Organization), School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; 8-10 October 2018.

She has served and continues to serve various Governmental Committees and Boards in Tanzania including the Technical Advisory Committee to the Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism; the National Council for Technical Education - Business, Tourism and Planning Board; Tanzania Investment Centre, Tanzania Bureau of Standards and the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA). Prof. Anderson is also a Member of the College of Business Education (CBE) Governing Board and Trustee in the Board of Trustees of the National College of Tourism (NCT).

René van der Duim

René van der Duim is a sociologist with special interest in actor-network theory and tourism studies. He has executed research and educational projects in countries like Thailand, Nepal, Costa Rica, Tanzania, Namibia, Kenya, Uganda, Portugal and the Netherlands. Since March 2015 he is appointed as Personal Professor at the Cultural Geography chair group at Wageningen University & Research. He is also vice chair of the Association for Tourism and Leisure Education and Research (ATLAS) and has been involved in ATLAS Africa since 2000. He has co-edited 5 books and published in journals like Annals of Tourism Research, Journal of Sustainable Tourism, Tourist Studies, Conservation and Society, Society & Natural Resources, Environmental Conservation and Vrijetijdstudies. See also https://www.wur.nl/nl/Personen/Rene-prof.dr.-VR-Rene-van-der-Duim.htm

Stephen Asiimwe

Stephen is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Uganda Tourism Board. He took over the helm as Uganda’s chief tourism marketer office in February 2014 - 2019. As CEO of UTB he has led the tourism sector to become the top forex earner and the fastest growing investment and growth portfolio way ahead of agriculture, mining, trade, ICT and energy. The UTB is now considered one of the most influential agencies thanks to Stephen’s dynamism, effervescence, lobbying, advocacy, aggressive and passionate marketing skills. His passion to promote and showcase Uganda are enshrined in his training, exposure and background.

Stephen’s career spans a cross section of disciplines and careers. He is the past CEO and Editor in Chief of the East African Business Week, a regional media powerhouse with operations in Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Burundi from May 2005 to January 2014. He has traversed the globe and engaged both government and private sector leaders in the last 30 years.

One of Uganda’s pioneer business media practitioners, he built two media concerns in six Eastern African countries in the last 10 years. Stephen began his career with Uganda’s leading new outlet The New Vision as a journalist and was instrumental in pioneering business journalism with a passion in travel writing and publishing.

He is an experienced manager, marketer, editor and international faculty with the US-based Haggai Institute of Advanced Leadership, speaker, lobbyist and strategist. A graduate of Development Associates International (DIA) Post Graduate programme hosted by Uganda Christian University (UCU) with a masters degree in Organizational Leadership and  Management(MAOL), a graduate of Makerere University degree in Social Sciences. Stephen also holds a number of diplomas and certificate qualifications in Education, Management, Marketing, Media and Communication. For his role and experience in media and development promotion, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters of the United Graduate College and Seminary (Tennessee, USA), in December 2008. He is now pursuing doctoral studies tourism and anthropology with the view to develop the country’s antiquities and museums.

Uganda and East Africa have enjoyed the fruits of his reputation as a self-starter with the proven ability to prioritize and manage business projects in a competitive, busy, fast, multi-tasking environment, along with establishing relationships with private, multi-lateral and government institutions.

Stephen brings on board a number of other chore competences. As Board member and Secretary of the UTB, Stephen is well-versed with corporate governance issues, a role he has handled since February 2014 to-date. Stephen is also well-versed with Uganda’s and East Africa’s business, trade and investment landscape having pioneered The New Vision’s business news section and the first and second regional business media houses. Stephen also trained either influential Reuters Foundation on business reporting in London at Fleet Street, the world’s financial capital.

Up

Conference themes

Tourism and Innovation.

The conference will cover a range of sub themes but not limited to:

1. Innovations in travel, tourism and hospitality education and research
2. Product and services innovations in travel, tourism and hospitality
3. Managerial and institutional innovations in travel, tourism and hospitality
4. Determinants and driving forces of innovations in travel, tourism and hospitality
5. Collaboration and co-creation in the tourism industry
6. Tourism innovations in developing economies
7. Tourism and mobility innovations
8. Tourism, innovations and markets
9. Innovations in tourism, conservation and development
10. Tourism and digital transformations
11. Implications of and barriers to travel, tourism and hospitality innovations

  Up

Abstract submission

Experts from a variety of disciplines are expected to bring to light theoretical and conceptual frameworks about the pivotal role of African tourism. These experts are to deliver to the conference their full scientific papers, abstracts and extended abstracts, and communications on a range of themes but not restricted to:

1. Innovations in travel, tourism and hospitality education and research
2. Product and services innovations in travel, tourism and hospitality
3. Managerial and institutional innovations in travel, tourism and hospitality
4. Determinants and driving forces of innovations in travel, tourism and hospitality
5. Collaboration and co-creation in the tourism industry
6. Tourism innovations in developing economies
7. Tourism and mobility innovations
8. Tourism, innovations and markets
9. Innovations in tourism, conservation and development
10. Tourism and digital transformations
11. Implications of and barriers to travel, tourism and hospitality innovations

Submission of abstracts

Abstracts (maximum of 500 words) indicating background, practical implications and applications, methods and or data sources and indicative findings of the paper is excepted to be submitted for vetting and verification by scientific committee.

Abstracts should be submitted to ATLAS by using this form before April 5^th, 2019.

Abstract requirements

The official language of the conference is English. All abstracts will be subject to double-blind review by at least two members of the Scientific Committee. Acceptance of a submission will be based on theoretical and empirical significance, methodological soundness, technical competency, and logical clarity.

Extended abstracts

The conference organisers have the intention to publish proceedings BEFORE the conference. We would like to receive all the "papers in progress" / "working papers" / "extended abstract", and make a conference proceedings which will be distributed to all participants in PDF. The working papers should have no more then 2000 words.

Extended abstracts should be submitted to ATLAS in WORD to admin@atlas-euro.org before April1^st, 2019.

Up

Important dates

Abstract submission	:	March 15th, 2019 April 5th, 2019
Notification of acceptance	:	April 1st, 2019 April 29th, 2019
Extended abstract submission	:	April1st, 2019 April 29th, 2019
Conference	:	June 12-14th, 2019
Full paper submission	:	September 1st, 2019

Up

Scientific committee

• Wilber Ahebwa – Makerere University, Uganda
• Wineaster Anderson - University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
• Jim Ayorekire – Makerere University, Uganda
• Geoffrey Bakunda – Makerere University Business School, Uganda
• Rene van der Duim – Wageningen University, the Netherlands
• Øystein Jensen – University of Stavanger, Norway
• Callixte Kabera – University of Tourism, Technology and Business Studies, Rwanda
• Celestine Katongole – Makerere University, Uganda
• Damiannah Kieti – Moi University, Kenya
• Joseph Mbaiwa – University of Botswana, Botswana
• Frank Mugizi – Makerere University, Uganda
• Rita Nthiga – Moi University, Kenya
• Amos Ochieng – Makerere University, Uganda
• Roselyn Okech – Memorial University of Newfoundland
• Samson Otengei– Makerere University, Uganda
• Aggie Weighill – Vancouver Island University, Canada
• Karel Werdler – INHOLLAND University, the Netherlands

Up

PhD seminar 

The The day before the conference,  on Tuesday 11th of  June 2019, a PhD seminar  will be organized for doctoral students in tourism, hospitality and related fields. The PhD seminar can only be attended by PhD students and if participants have submitted an abstract and CV according to the guidelines presented below. In addition, the PhD seminar can only be attended if one is a delegate at the conference. The PhD candidates are also stimulated to present a paper during the conference.

During the seminar, participants will be given the chance to present and receive feedback on their PhD research project. Also, time will be allocated for informal talks and the exchange of experiences about the ‘everyday life’, challenges and expectations as a PhD scholar.

The seminar will provide doctoral students in tourism and related fields with an exciting opportunity to discuss their dissertation research with other doctoral students and senior academics in this field. Hence, the seminar will offer a unique opportunity to meet colleagues, share experiences and ideas, and network with students and faculty from different countries and university systems. All topics within the broad field of tourism, hospitality and leisure will be considered.

In order to attend the seminar, participants will be required to hand in a 2000 word paper on your methodological reflections in your project. These could relate to, amongst other things, the choice of appropriate methods, selection or sampling difficulties, a discussion of paradigms or research ethics.  The doctoral seminar will be held in a collaborative, open and friendly atmosphere. In respect to this philosophy, participants are required to attend the entire colloquium.

During the colloquium two presentations will be given; one on “how to publish” by René van der Duim (Wageningen University, the Netherlands) and one on "how to present research results” by Aggie Weighill (Vancouver University, Canada).

PhD convenors

• René van der Duim, Wageningen University, Netherlands
• Emmanuel Adu-Ampong, Wageningen University, Netherlands
• Wilber M. Ahebwa, Makerere University, Uganda
• Joseph Mbaiwa, University of Botwana, Botswana
• Aggie Weighill, Vancouver University, Canada

Abstract submission

The number of participants will be limited so as to create a stimulating environment. The selection among the applicants will be conducted by the chairperson of the seminar.

Interested doctoral students should submit the following (in MS Word format):

1. A 2000 word summary (plus figures, tables, and references) of their doctoral research project (planned or actual), outlining the topic, problem statement theoretical orientation, methodology and preliminary results (if any) and the main challenges related to the execution of the  research project. Please note that the name of the candidate and of the thesis advisor(s) (if already known) and contact details should appear on the summary.
2. A one-page Curriculum Vita.

The deadline for submission is April 5^th, 2019. Submissions should be sent by email to admin@atlas-euro.org.

The PhD seminar is part of the conference and you can only attend if you submitted an abstract and CV as written above.

Up

Field trip

Nandi Hills Located in Nandi County, Nandi hills region offers unique opportunities for visitors to experience. As a tea farming region, visitors are able to visit tea estates and get a chance to be taken through the tea processing system. In addition other attractions to the region include the Nandi escarpment, waterfalls, famous rocks and Museums among others.

  Up

Conference packages

This fee is including:

• Conference materials
• Coffee breaks
• Lunches
• Conference dinner
• Fieldtrip
• Transportation between the recommended hotels and the conference venue
   

Up

Cancellation policy

As soon as ATLAS has confirmed your registration, you are obliged to pay the conference fee. If written cancellation is received on or before 31^st May, 2019, a refund of all meeting fees will be made, minus an administration fee of € 50.

No refund will be possible after 31^st May, 2019, but substitute delegates can be nominated.

Up

Conference venue

The conference venue will be at the premises of Makerere University in Kampala. Details will be announced later.

Up

Accommodation

Please find HERE a list with recommended hotels.

The highlighted hotels are the closest to the conference venue.

From these recommended hotels we can arrange or advise on transport to and from the conference venue. Please let us know in which recommended hotel you are staying on the registration form or by e-mail to admin@atlas-euro.org.

Up

Arriving

Airport transfers are not arranged. You can contact your hotel to arrange this.

Up

Registration

• Contact

  Please contact: e-mail admin@atlas-euro.org.

   

• Registration

  Submit this form to register for the conference.

   

• Abstract submission form

  Submit this form to submit an abstract for the conference.

Up