ATLAS SIG Gastronomy and Tourism Meeting 2026
ATLAS SIG Gastronomy and Tourism Meeting 2026
We are what we eat, we travel how we eat:
Identities, territories and experiences on the plate
Olot, Spain
11-14 February, 2026
Introduction
Gastronomy has become one of the most powerful drivers of contemporary tourism. But beyond the appeal of flavors, what we eat speaks of who we are, where we come from and how we relate to the world. In this conference we propose to reflect on the profound relationship between food, identity and tourist experience, based on the idea that “we are what we eat, and we travel how we eat”.
How do eating habits influence the motivations and behaviors of travelers? How is gastronomic authenticity constructed and communicated? What discourses and values —of health, sustainability, community or exclusivity— articulate gastronomic tourism practices today?
This meeting aims to be an open and interdisciplinary space to share research, practices and innovative proposals on the link between food and travel, from local and global perspectives.
Themes
Thematic axes for the call for papers:
1. Gastronomic tourism and cultural identity
a. Food as an expression of intangible heritage
b. Claiming local cuisines and culinary memories
c. Gastronomic narratives in tourism promotion
2. Food-related tourism experiences and practices
a. Gastronomic routes, festivals and markets
b. The role of restaurants, wineries and producers in tourism
c. Cuisine as a transformative travel experience
3. Food, sustainability and ethics in tourism
a. Agroecological tourism and short marketing circuits
b. Responsible practices and impact on territories
c. Food, climate change and emerging values of tourists
4. Gastronomic tourism and digital transformation
a. Influence of social networks and digital platforms
b. Gastronomic storytelling and online reputation
c. Innovation and technology applied to the gastronomic experience
5. Education, health and well-being in the field of tourism and gastronomy
a. Taste education and family tourism
b. Healthy food as a tourist resource
c. Well-being, mindfulness and gastronomy in health tourism
International scientific committee
The proposed scientific committee is composed by:
Silvia Aulet – Faculty of Tourism, University of Girona, Spain
Carlos Fernandes – Polytechnic University of Viana do Castelo, Portugal
Óscar Cabral – Basque Culinary Center, Faculty of Gastronomic Sciences, Univ. Mondragón, Spain
Raquel Moreira – Estoril Higher Institute for Tourism and Hotel Studies, Portugal
Dolors Vidal – Faculty of Tourism, University of Girona, Spain
Joaquim Majó – Faculty of Tourism, University of Girona, Spain
Francesc Fuste – Faculty of Tourism, University of Girona, Spain
Greg Richards – Breda University of Applied Sciences and the University of Tilburg, The Netherlands.
Sheila Matson – Rennes School of Business, France
Tamara Ratz – Kodolanyi Janos University Budapest, Hungary
Roberta Garibaldi – Univeristy of Bergamo, Italy
Andrea Pozzi – Univeristy of Bergamo, Italy
Bill Gregorash – Confederation College, Canada
Organizing committee
The organizing committee is composed by:
Silvia Aulet – Faculty of Tourism, University of Girona, Spain
Dolors Vidal – Faculty of Tourism, University of Girona, Spain
Joaquim Majó – Faculty of Tourism, University of Girona, Spain
Carla Coloniese – Faculty of Tourism, University of Girona, Spain
Mireia Pascual – Faculty of Tourism, University of Girona, Spain
Carlos Fernandes – Polytechnic University of Viana do Castelo, Portugal
Keynote speaker
Important dates
Abstract submission: October 31, 2025
Notification of acceptance: November 30, 2025
Registration deadline: January 15th, 2026
Event: February 11-14, 2026
Full paper submission: March 30, 2026
Abstracts submission
All abstracts will be subjected to review by members of the scientific committee. Acceptance of a submission will be based on: theoretical and empirical significance; methodological soundness; relevance to the theme of the meeting and logical clarity.
The official language of the meeting is English.
Abstracts should indicate background, theoretical/practical implications, methods and/or data sources and indicative findings of the paper. Abstracts should have between 350-500 words. The titles should be no more than 12 words.
Provisional program
Wednesday, 11 February – Welcome
Individual arrival to Olot and check-in
Welcome session
Thursday, 12 February – 1st Conference Day
Espai Cràter – Olot
9.00 – Opening session and presentations, with a coffee break
13.00 – Lunch
14.30 – Presentations
17.00 – Gastronomic visit
20.00 – Dinner
Friday, 13 February – 2nd Conference Day
Espai Cràcter – olot
9.00 – Presentations with a coffee break
13.00 – Lunch
14.00 – Presentations
17.00 – Discussions and publication plans and future meetings
20.00 – Closing dinner and farewell
Saturday, 14 February – Cultural day – optional
Program coming soon
Provisional Cultural day – Optional
Accommodation
Arrival options
Participation fee
Cancellation policy
Registration and contact
- 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