The purpose of the special interest sections is to bring members together to work on thematic issues related to the activities of ATLAS. These could include research interests, such as the existing Cultural Tourism Research Group and the Backpackers Research Group, or it could be related to educational issues, such as student exchange, placements or open and distance learning.

The facility allowing members to start SIGs has so far widely been used. The sections that exist are related to the ATLAS projects in the below mentioned areas. Proposals for the formation of new special interest groups should be submitted to the ATLAS Administration. In ATLAS News 25 of October 2001 more details and guidelines on managing a special section information can be found on the regional, national and special interest groups. You can also ask for this information by sending an e-mail to the ATLAS administration at admin@atlas-euro.org

Currently the following SIG's are active:

Backpacker Research Group		homepage
Business Tourism Group		homepage
City and National Capital Tourism Research Group		homepage
Cultural Tourism Research Group		homepage
Gastronomy and Tourism Research Group		homepage
Mass Tourism Research Group		homepage
Religous Tourism and Pilgrimage Research Group		homepage
Spa and Wellness Research Group		homepage
Tourism and Disaster Research Group		homepage
Tourism and Socio Cultural Identities Research Group		homepage
Tourism Geographies Research Group		homepage
Tourism SMEs Research Group		homepage
Volunteer Tourism Research Group		homepage