CBTS 2026

Consumer Behaviour in Tourism Symposium (CBTS): 16-18 September 2026

About

Since 2008, the annual Consumer Behaviour in Tourism Symposium (CBTS) has been providing an opportunity for tourism scholars and practitioners to exchange ideas, share perspectives, present scientific studies and explore their results. As in previous years, CBTS 2026 will offer both established and emerging researchers as well as practitioners the chance to engage in discussions about innovative research directions and practical applications within the field of consumer behaviour in tourism.

From September 16 to 18, 2026, CBTS will be hosted for the first time by the German Institute for Tourism Research at the FH Westküste University of Applied Sciences in Heide, Germany.

The overarching theme of CBTS 2026, “From Consumption to Contribution: Social Dimensions of Tourist Behaviour”invites presentations on a wide range of perspectives related to social sustainability and consumer behaviour in tourism. Contributions addressing topics such as the multifaceted impacts of tourist behaviour on local communities, approaches to operationalizing social sustainability in tourism in line with the SDGs, or future-oriented perspectives on fostering socially responsible tourist behaviour are highly welcome. In addition, there will also be an opportunity to present further current research on consumer behavior (open track).

The Call for Papers is now released!

Keynotes

Two internationally recognised tourism researchers have been confirmed as keynote speakers for CBTS 2026:

Alisha Ali is an interdisciplinary researcher specialising in the intersection of sustainability, technology, and education in tourism and hospitality. She is an Associate Professor of Hospitality and Tourism in the Sheffield Business School and the Head of Research Degrees in the College of Social Sciences and Arts at Sheffield Hallam University. She is passionate about bridging the gap between academia and industry through evidence-based solutions and actively mentors early-career researchers and engages in initiatives that promotes inclusivity in higher education.
“The CBTS is a standout event, providing invaluable insight into cutting‑edge research and real‑world applications that shape tourist choices. It also offers a genuine sense of community and an excellent opportunity to build meaningful professional connections, and I look forward to seeing you there .”

 

 

 

 

 

Florian Kock is Professor of Management and Director of the Center for Tourism and Hospitality Management at the Copenhagen Business School, Denmark. With most of his research drawing on different domains of psychology, he researches behaviour and attitudes in tourism and hospitality for academic and societal impact. He serves as Senior Editor for Tourism Management and is the cochair of NEST, the Network of Emerging Scholars in Tourism and Hospitality.
“I attended my first CBTS ten years ago in Brunico and have appreciated it ever since for its academic breadth and depth, combined with its warm and welcoming atmosphere. I especially value its strong focus on consumer behavior, which is a central and highly impactful field within tourism research.”

 

Accommodations

We have reserved the following hotel options for you:

Hotel Berlin
15 single rooms
€85.00 per person per night, including breakfast
20 double rooms
€100.00 per person per night, including breakfast

Reference: FH Conference 2026
https://www.nordicahotel-heide.de/
Email: info[at]nordicahotel-heide.de
Rates available until: 29.07.2026

Hotel Lighthouse
15 rooms
€249.00 per person per night, including breakfast

Reference: AK_FHWestküste_16.09.26
https://www.hotel-lighthouse.de/
Email: info[at]hotel-lighthouse.de
Rates available until: 16.07.2026

Hotel Bretterbude
15 rooms
€169.00 per person per night, including breakfast

Reference: AK_FHWestküste_16.09.26
https://www.bretterbude-buesum.de/
Email: buesum[at]bretterbude.de
Rates available until: 16.07.2026

Please note: The Hotel Berlin is just a few walking minutes from the conference venue, whilst the other two hotels can be reached by train!

Conference Dinner

We warmly invite all attendees of CBTS 2026 to join us for a conference dinner on 17 September at Restaurant Arche Noah. Situated directly on Sankt Peter-Ording‘s kilometre-long white beach, the restaurant is the perfect setting for a memorable evening. Shuttle buses to the accomodations in Büsum and Heide will be provided.

For general information about CBTS and future updates, we will keep you up to date here on our website!

For further inquiries, you are also welcome to contact the organizing team at cbts2026[at]fh-westkueste.de.

We look forward to welcoming you on Germany’s North Sea coast!