08/05/2026
Our Tourism Marketing and Management Research group and master's thesis programme would like to invite our collaboration partners and tourism stakeholders to join a free seminar at the University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu Campus, Aurora Building (AU100), on May 20th.
The topic of the seminar is Sustainable Tourism Innovations. During the afternoon, we are going to hear presentations from renowned international professors such as Professors Faizan Ali and Scott McCabe, as well as our own team members and students. We are going to hear what direction sustainable tourism is moving and what kind of innovations are happening and need to happen in the future.
Programme:
12.30-12.40 Welcome to the seminar: Henna Konu, Professor
12.40-13.10 Keynote: How can AI help sustainable tourism innovations? Professor Faizan Ali, University of Galway
13.10-13.40 Keynote: Social tourism and social prescribing for mental health and wellbeing. Professor Scott McCabe, University of Birmingham
13.40-14.20 Panel: Kestävät matkailuinnovaatiot (In Finnish, English translation)
* Nina Vesterinen, Tourism Director, Helsinki
* Wille Markkanen, CEO, Salmi Platform
* Katarina Wakonen, Visit Finland
* Timo Saranpää, CEO, Kon-Tiki Tours
* Juho Pesonen (Chair)
14.20-15.20 Latest research from Tourism Marketing and Management team
* Ksh*tij Thapa: Defining Visitor Thresholds: Local Residents’ Perceptions of Carrying Capacity in Rovaniemi Winter Tourism
* Pinja Leino: Nature-resource management in nature-based tourism firms
* Nelli Heiskanen: How to retain skilled seasonal workers?
* Henna Konu: Can tourism be regenerative?
15.20-15.40 Workshop: Knowledge needs and research ideas from the industry, Juho Pesonen, Professor
15.40-16.00 Coffee and networking
Registration: https://link.webropol.com/ep/tmmseminar2026
