The International Symposium on Tourism for Peace (IST4P 2017)

We welcome you to join us in Nagasaki, Japan for the International Symposium on Tourism for Peace (IST4P 2017). This event will coincide with the 72nd Nagasaki Peace Memorial and Remembrance Ceremony.

With the theme  Travel Technology: Passport to Peace, the aim of IST4P 2017  is to draw attention to the intersections and interconnectedness between tourism and technology for a more peaceful and sustainable world. The unprecedented boom in tourism these days is well documented,  accounting for over 9.8% of the world GDP in 2016 and according to the Mastercard Global Destinations Cities Index, which ranks tourism traffic for 132 cities around the world, 5 of the Top 10 are in Asia: #1 Bangkok, #4 Singapore, #9 Hong Kong and #10 Kuala Lumpur.

Although not included in the Mastercard list, Nagasaki is the ideal venue for this event which will focus on the importance of peace to tourism. Long before Nagasaki City became known for the atomic bombing on August 9, 1945, the city and surrounding areas played an integral role as the 16th century gateway for the introduction of European culture and influence, as well as the introduction to Christianity.

Nagasaki prefecture has many scenic spots, such as the Kujuku-shima Islands, a part of Saikai National Park, and Fugen-dake, the principal peak of the volcano Unzen-dake, which is situated right in the center of the Shimabara-hanto Peninsula. Huis Ten Bosch, a residential-style resort modeled after a mediaeval 17th century Dutch town, is also known as a popular tourist spot.

Nagasaki City, which is the heart of the Nagasaki-hanto Peninsula, is a port city that developed all the way up along the steep slope of a mountain, while it also stretched out horizontally, hugging Nagasaki Bay. The line of visitors attracted to its many tourist spots never ends. Such spots include Peace Park which tells of the facts and memories of the horrible damage that was inflicted by the atomic bomb and continues to appeal to the world with its wish for peace, and the nation’s oldest wooden Christian church, O-ura Tenshu-do, which even today exudes an exotic atmosphere.

Thus we invite participants to join us in Nagasaki for this very special event! Symposium participants will also have an opportunity to visit Nagasaki Peace Park and Glover House & Garden – both have been nominated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

We welcome submissions of 250 words in English by Friday, June 2, 2017 on the following areas:

• Cultural, Heritage, Indigenous and Dark Tourism
• Destination Branding and Promotion
• e-Tourism, ICT and Travel Technology
• Eco-Friendly Destinations, Hotels and Attractions
• Eco-Tourism, Geo-Tourism and Sustainable Tourism
• Food Safety, Food Service, Catering and Wine Tourism
• Medical, Health and Wellness Tourism
• Hotel and Hospitality Management
• Tourism Policy, Planning, Development & Management