***Apologies for cross-posting***

Dear list members

The International Centre for Research in Events, Tourism and Hospitality (ICRETH) at Leeds Metropolitan University would like to remind you of the following forthcoming international conference and its call for papers:

ACTIVE COUNTRYSIDE TOURISM

The Regional Studies Association

Research network on tourism and regional development

In association with

International Centre for Research in Events, Tourism and Hospitality (ICRETH)

Leeds Metropolitan University, UK

23-25 January 2013, Leeds, UK

This international conference seeks to question the contribution active countryside tourism can and does make to rural regions. How can rural areas benefit from the possibilities offered by active countryside tourism? What needs to be done to attract specific niche tourism markets to rural regions? How do active tourists consume and experience the countryside?

What are the needs, interests and motivations of specific subgroups (e.g. horse riders, para-gliders, rock climbers), and how can rural communities capitalise on these potential tourism markets? What is the role of regional and national governments in promoting and facilitating the development of active countryside tourism?

Amongst the themes that could be considered are:

• Innovation in active countryside tourism

• Sustainable active countryside tourism

• The rural tourism labour force (e.g. skills shortages, labour shortages, outsourcing etc.)

• Agricultural diversification and active countryside tourism

• Understanding specific subgroups of active countryside tourists

• Sports tourism in rural regions

• Place and destination branding for active countryside tourism

• The role of tourism public policy in rural regional development

• Barriers to the development and expansion of active countryside tourism

• Active countryside tourism in developing regions

• Event tourism in rural regions

• Marketing of active countryside tourism

• Opposition to active countryside tourism in local rural communities

• Presentation and understandings of rurality and nature through active countryside tourism

We welcome papers on these and other topics relevant to the conference themes. We are also interested in papers addressing other aspects of tourism and regional development.

Abstract and bio

Please submit a 300 word abstract (including title and full contact details) and a short presenter’s biography (max 100 words per presenter) as an electronic file to [log in to unmask] by Friday 29 September 2012.

Conference website

For further information on this conference, please go to http://icreth.wix.com/countrysidetourism

Contact

International Centre for Research in Events, Tourism and Hospitality (ICRETH)

Carnegie Faculty, Leeds Metropolitan University, Headingley Campus

Leeds LS6 3QW

United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)113- 812 8541

Fax +44 (0)113- 812 8544

Web www.leedsmet.ac.uk/icreth

Join us on @ICRETH International Centre for Research in Events, Tourism and Hospitality (ICRETH)