18th Annual Conference

Higher Education & Tourism: Post Pandemic Trends

Date

20th - 22nd April 2022

Venue

Institute of Tourism Studies Malta

The pandemic has brought huge changes in all fields, but the consequences for two sectors – Higher Education and Tourism and Hospitality – have been particularly dramatic, both negative and positive. The Higher Education sector has been completely transformed by its focus on e-learning, distance education, or education through modern tools. There are institutions that have completely transformed distance education. In meantime there are universities which consider traditional education is the major part of the process while the e-learning are assistant tools but will not replace the formal education. Students’ campus life is important & the virtual cannot be the only option.

The tourism sector has been even more affected by the pandemic, and there are various organisations that have been permanently disrupted and therefore left the market. The higher education and tourism sector are large sectors that require a comprehensive review, and realistic long term post-pandemic solutions need to be considered.

The conference is an attempt to actively contribute in finding scientific and realistic solutions to these two important sectors through holding panel discussions that bring together academics and practitioners. Efforts to addressing the imbalances caused by the pandemic will cover economic, social, political and cultural dimensions. The solutions and steps forward should be carefully agreed and implemented gradually.

We live in an era where there are interdisciplinary & interactions between all sectors, public, private and governmental. We believe finding a solution for one thing will lead to different and diverse solutions. Therefore, we decided to hold our conference in Malta, as a country with an influential geographical location on the two sectors, and we created a partnership with Institute of Tourism Studies which has a strong focus in tourism and higher Education. We have also invited speakers who are effective contributors in addressing the economic effects of the pandemic. We are confident this conference will make an effective and valuable contribution to the discussion on the global and international impact of the Pandemic to Higher Education & Tourism: Post Pandemic Trends.

Abstract submission – 1st March 2022
Registration and payment – 18th March 2022
Presentation times and papers titles – 21st March 2022
Conference schedule and links – 25th March 2022
Full paper submission – 31st March 2022
Book of abstracts – 1st April 2022

its malta 18th conference ci

Institute of Tourism Studies – Malta

Established in 1987 and acting as Malta’s main Tourism and Hospitality educational institution, the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS) offers a vast selection of programmes taught by dedicated lecturers. The campus offers multiple specialised labs and kitchens to assure that students receive the essential theoretical and practical education required. ITS is located close to the Malta International Airport and with a campus in Qala, Gozo currently offers programmes of studies ranging from Foundation Programme (MQF Level 2) to Masters Degree Programmes (MQF Level 7) level.


18th confrence ci

Circle International – UK

Circle International was formed in 2003 to bring together university academics from Europe and beyond who shared a passion for research into different business and management topics. Under the visionary leadership of its provost, Professor Vignali of the University Vitez, it has expanded rapidly over the last 17 years and is proud of its formidable team of professors.


UNIVERSITY VITEZ

UNIVERSITY VITEZ – Bosnia and Herzegovina

Circle International is proud to be associated with the University Vitez and to deliver the Universities’ courses on blended mode of study. The main campus of the University Vitez is situated in the medieval town of Travnik in Bosnia, which is part of the Balkan region of western Europe. The Balkans is an area with a rich tradition for higher education and boasts two of the oldest universities in the world in Zagreb and Sarajevo.


The conference will be held at The San Antonio Hotel. It is combines contemporary luxury, authentic culture and charming views. It is less than 5-minutes’ walk from the Malta Classic Car Museum. It is close to a variety of accommodation and one where delegates can easily access amenities such as shops, cafes, restaurants, bars and cultural attractions.

During this pandemic life can be unpredictable. In 2020 we had to cancel our conference and in 2021 we carried our first virtual event which was a complete success with over 80 papers presented. The team is excited that we will meet face to face in Malta. However we always have the virtual route if the pandemic continues.

You can book a room there at the rate of £80 per night for a single room or £124 per night for a double/twin room. The price includes breakfast. Kindly indicate that you are a delegate for the conference when booking.

The pandemic has brought huge changes in all fields, but the consequences for two sectors – Higher Education and Tourism and Hospitality – have been particularly dramatic, both negative and positive. The Higher Education sector has been completely transformed by its focus on e-learning, distance education, or education through modern tools. There are institutions that have completely transformed distance education. In meantime there are universities which consider traditional education is the major part of the process while the e-learning are assistant tools but will not replace the formal education. Students’ campus life is important & the virtual cannot be the only option.

The tourism sector has been even more affected by the pandemic, and there are various organisations that have been permanently disrupted and therefore left the market. The higher education and tourism sector are large sectors that require a comprehensive review, and realistic long term post-pandemic solutions need to be considered.

The conference is an attempt to actively contribute in finding scientific and realistic solutions to these two important sectors through holding panel discussions that bring together academics and practitioners. Efforts to addressing the imbalances caused by the pandemic will cover economic, social, political and cultural dimensions. The solutions and steps forward should be carefully agreed and implemented gradually.

We live in an era where there are interdisciplinary & interactions between all sectors, public, private and governmental. We believe finding a solution for one thing will lead to different and diverse solutions. Therefore, we decided to hold our conference in Malta, as a country with an influential geographical location on the two sectors, and we created a partnership with Institute of Tourism Studies which has a strong focus in tourism and higher Education. We have also invited speakers who are effective contributors in addressing the economic effects of the pandemic. We are confident this conference will make an effective and valuable contribution to the discussion on the global and international impact of the Pandemic to Higher Education & Tourism: Post Pandemic Trends.

Abstract submission – 1st March 2022
Registration and payment – 18th March 2022
Presentation times and papers titles – 21st March 2022
Conference schedule and links – 25th March 2022
Full paper submission – 31st March 2022
Book of abstracts – 1st April 2022

its malta 18th conference ci

Institute of Tourism Studies – Malta

Established in 1987 and acting as Malta’s main Tourism and Hospitality educational institution, the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS) offers a vast selection of programmes taught by dedicated lecturers. The campus offers multiple specialised labs and kitchens to assure that students receive the essential theoretical and practical education required. ITS located close to the Malta International Airport and with a campus in Qala, Gozo currently offers programmes of studies ranging from Foundation Programme (MQF Level 2) to Masters Degree Programmes (MQF Level 7) level.

18th confrence ci

Circle International – UK

Circle International was formed in 2003 to bring together university academics from Europe and beyond who shared a passion for research into different business and management topics. Under the visionary leadership of its provost, Professor Vignali of the University Vitez, it has expanded rapidly over the last 17 years and is proud of its formidable team of professors.

UNIVERSITY VITEZ

UNIVERSITY VITEZ – Bosnia and Herzegovina

Circle International is proud to be associated with the University Vitez and to deliver the Universities’ courses on blended mode of study. The main campus of the University Vitez is situated in the medieval town of Travnik in Bosnia, which is part of the Balkan region of western Europe. The Balkans is an area with a rich tradition for higher education and boasts two of the oldest universities in the world in Zagreb and Sarajevo.

The conference will be held at The San Antonio Hotel. It is combines contemporary luxury, authentic culture and charming views. It is less than 5-minutes’ walk from the Malta Classic Car Museum. It is close to a variety of accommodation and one where delegates can easily access amenities such as shops, cafes, restaurants, bars and cultural attractions.

During this pandemic life can be unpredictable. In 2020 we had to cancel our conference and in 2021 we carried our first virtual event which was a complete success with over 80 papers presented. The team is excited that we will meet face to face in Malta. However we always have the virtual route if the pandemic continues.

You can book a room there at the rate of £80 per night for a single room or £124 per night for a double/twin room. The price includes breakfast. Kindly indicate that you are a delegate for the conference when booking.

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10
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Our Speaker

Nora-Colton-circleinternational

We are very pleased to announce that Professor Nora Colton has accepted to address the 18th Annual Conference Higher Education & Tourism: Post Pandemic Trends;

Professor Nora Colton is the Director of the UCL Global Business School of Health.  She is a health and development economist with extensive experience in change management and strategy.  Previous to this role she was the  UCL Pro-Vice-Provost (Postgraduate Education) and Joint Director of Education at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Hospital.  She has been a Professor of International Economics at Drew University, USA; Dean of Business and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at University of East London (UEL), UK; and a visiting professor in the School of Public Administration at the University of Electronic Science and Technology (UESTC), Chengdu, China as well as the American University in Beirut (AUB), Lebanon.

She holds a doctorate from the University of Oxford, UK.  She also has studied and taught at a number of leading universities including Harvard University, W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University; American University in Cairo; American University in Beirut and Barcelona Business School at University Pompeu Fabra, Spain. She also holds a certificate in Change Management from Cornell University in the USA.

She has been the recipient of a serial Fulbright and a Carnegie Foundation grant to conduct fieldwork in the Middle East.

She is the author of numerous journal articles concerned with Middle Eastern economics and politics.  She is also co-author of a book with Elsevier Press entitled Middle East Finance: Missed-opportunities or Future Prospects and has a book forthcoming with Palgrave-Macmillan on the political economy of Yemen.  She has also been a series editor of a book series on Middle East Economics through Palgrave-Macmillan. More recently, she conducts research and publishes on healthcare management and strategic leadership.

She has a particular interest in change management as it relates to the healthcare sector and has designed programmes and taught on healthcare management postgraduate degree programmes as well as health-related executive education and training programmes.

PROFESSOR NORA COLTON 
Keynote speaker

Zahir Irani

Professor Zahir Irani studied Manufacturing Engineering at the University of Salford before then working as a Project Engineer for several years. He then secured a full scholarship from Brunel University London, where he completed a PhD in Investment Decision Making. His professional development has seen him complete his leadership and financial management training at Harvard Business School (HBS) and University of Cambridge, respectively.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Bradford, and Chairperson Bradford Economic Covid-19 Recovery Board at Bradford Metropolitan District Council. In 2020, Professor Irani was named by the Sunday Times as a leading Bradford influencer & was featured in 2020 by Guide2Research in their top 30 UK computer scientists. Professor Irani has been working as a senior policy adviser at the Cabinet Office, on secondment from his permanent role as dean of the Business, Arts and Social Sciences College, Brunel University London few years ago.
Professor Irani’s expertise in HE, Tourism and Covid-19 recovery will make his contribution to XVII Circle Conference –
Higher Education & Tourism: Post Pandemic Trends highly required.

PROFESSOR ZAHIR IRANI
Keynote speaker

Conference Team

prof.-Claudio-Vignali

PROFESSOR CLAUDIO VIGNALI
President of Circle International

Professor Claudio Vignali held The Arnold Ziff Chair in Retail Marketing Management and is Provost of Circle International. He joined Leeds Met (now Leeds Beckett University) in 2003 from the School of Consumer, Tourism and Hospitality Management at Manchester Metropolitan University, where he had been the Consumer Section and Research Head. Prior to this he was the postgraduate diploma course leader in the department of Retailing and Marketing. Professor Vignali holds chairs in Croatia; Poland; Italy and Germany. He also actively delivers MBA and DBA modules for leading UK Universities. He has written more than 150 articles and books in the field of Retailing and Marketing and is the editor of two academic journals.

Dr-Mohamed-Elansari

DR. MOHAMED EL-ANSARI
Dean of Circle International

Dr. El Ansari is a Visiting Fellow at the University of Bradford and visiting Professor at the University of Vitez (TNE & Higher Education policy). He has contributed to an international project to give access to quality education and promote the local, regional and national value of international education, emphasizing the importance of international students to employment and educational opportunities at a local & International level. He has extensive experience in international educational diplomacy. He is Chair of the London Education and Research Network as well as a member of the recently founded Transnational Education committee.

glen_farrugia

DR. GLEN FARRUGIA
Conference host lead

Dr. Glen Farrugia, Ph.D. (Leics) is a Chief Operations Officer of Academia at the Institute of Tourism Studies. He is lecturing at undergraduate and postgraduate level on subjects related to Tourism Management, Culture Heritage and Museology, Heritage sites. His responsibility cover supervision of dissertation, external examination and tutoring. He is a member of Research Ethics Board at the Institute for Education as well as Board Member (MATSEC Examinations Department) at University of Malta. He is serving the Government of Malta through two boards; the Mutual Recognition of Qualifications Appeals Board & National Curriculum Framework Implementation Board. Dr Farrugia published several papers and books and his contribution to tourism & Higher Education is widely known.

louise-reid

DR. LOUISE REID
Conference Coordinator

Dr. Reid is a Lecturer in Digital Marketing at the University of Gloucestershire. Her career in the fashion sector encompassed both retailing and buying roles, for brands Warehouse and Cotton Traders respectively. Her thesis and current research into virtual and augmented reality retailing informs her current supervision in strategy, retailing, consumer behavior and digital marketing topics.

prof.-Gianpaolo-Vignali-University-of-Manchester-UK

DR. GIANPAOLO VIGNALI
Publication Coordinator

Dr. Vignali is Senior Lecturer in Fashion Business at the University of Manchester. He graduated from UMIST with a first degree in Mathematics and joined the University of Manchester after positions at Manchester Metropolitan University and Leeds Beckett University. He has written over 40 papers and books in the field of Marketing and Management and presented at numerous international conferences.

pro.tahir_

DR. TAHIR RASHID
Abstract Coordinator

Dr. Rashid is a highly qualified international academic and has taught postgraduate and professional courses in Austria, Germany, Lithuania and the UK. He is the Director of Post Graduate program in International Marketing & Services Management and Senior Lecturer in Marketing and Corporate Strategy at the University of Salford.

Razaq-Raj

DR. RAZAQ RAJ
Membership Coordinator

Dr. Raj is a Principal lecturer in the Business school in Leeds Beckett University. His research interests include community events, outdoor events, economic impacts, religious tourism, cultural festivals and sustainable tourism, cultural diversity in events management and international tourism.

Submission Guidelines

Abstract format

A selection of the conference papers will be considered for publication in the following journals: · International Journal of Management Cases · International Journal of Sales, Retailing, and Marketing · Journal of Food Products Marketing · International Journal of Business and Globalization

To submit the full paper please follows the instructions:

The length of the paper should not exceed 22 pages; the minimum length is 11 pages of standard typescript (A4 size; font Arial; size 12; single line spacing, margins 2.5 cm).

For publication in International Journal of Management Cases and International Journal of Sales, Retailing and Marketing follow the instructions below or visit the below links for the two journals: https://www.circleinternational.co.uk/journals/ijmc/ijmc-submission-requirements-guidelines/ https://www.circleinternational.co.uk/journals/ijsrm/ijsrm-submission-requirements-guidelines/
Please supply the text of your article in a Microsoft Word file. All of the text must have the minimum of word processing features.
Give your article a title, and list all of the authors at the top of the page. Include an abstract of no more than 300 words and also a list of keywords.

Submission of the full article goes to Prof. Razaq Raj from Leeds Beckett University. Attach the document in an email to r.raj@leedsbeckett.ac.uk

Deadline for full paper submission: 31st March 2022

Title/s, author name/s
Institution/s, country/ies.
Abstracts should be between 150-300 words in length.

The main body should include:
A brief introduction
Background/key issues from the literature,
An overview of the methods and
Results/findings if any.
Five keywords.

Deadline for abstract submission: 1st March  2022
Acceptance notice: within 14 days from date of arrival

The text should be in Arial (size 12) using the following features:

  • Single-line spacing
  • Left-aligned text, unjustified
  • A single space between sentences
  • A single carriage return between paragraphs
  • No additional paragraph formatting, e.g. Word headings or style

Headings:

If the pattern of headings is complex, please distinguish them by making main headings bold, the next level normal and the subheadings in italics.

Display features:

  • Do not use any automatic features of Word-like blobbed and numbered lists.
  • Put theses in via your keyboard with the numbers, blobs and tab spacing.
  • Set up tables and figures as simple as possible so that they can be converted for typesetting.
  • Only cross-reference tables and figures in the main file; at the very least, put them on separate pages-ideally, send additional Word or Excel files.

Warning:

  • Do not, under any circumstances, send graphics or pictures embedded in Word Files. Most Word graphics are inextricable from text files.
  • Please type out your captions separately in Word and send in a hard copy of how you would like the diagram to look.

The text:

  • For the word, be as consistent as you can with spelling, references, and nomenclature.
  • Use English ‘connection’, ‘colour’, ‘capitalize’, spellings in preference to US ‘x’, ‘or’, and ‘z’. If there is variable spelling, please use your word processor to check that you have used it consistently.
  • Numbers should be words from one to ten and in figures thereafter using commas to separate large ones e.g. 1,000,000.
  • Where you use a blobbed list, the entries should be punctuated as sentences – with capital letters and full stops – where they involve a verb, like this one.
  • If the list is part of a sentence like the one for paragraph features above no punctuation will be required until the last blob.
  • Punctuation should be kept to a minimum and full stops only left for genuine abbreviations like e.g. or ibid. (n.b. there is no extra space) For references please see below.
  • Capitalisation of initial letters should also be kept to a minimum. Only dignify titles with capitals where a specific managing director, professor or senior lecturer is mentioned. The initial letters of proper names and titles of books and magazines are capitalized; the titles of articles and the headings in your article will not be. Do not capitalize the internet.
  • Only the initial letter of the first word of a heading or the article title should be capitalized – follow the style of this page. No full stops at the end of headings.
  • Spell out the contents of the acronym in brackets after it; the International Journal of Management Cases (IJMC). For subsequent references, DSA is fine.
  • Use en dashes – like these – without space for parenthesis. Don’t worry if you cannot find these on your machine, they can be put in later. All number series, particularly page references to articles in endnotes, should be separated by an en dash without space: e.g. pp 228 – 412.
  • Use single ‘smart’ (i.e. curly) quotes for all quotations and inverted commas, except where there is a quotation inside a quotation, then use double ones.
  • Use conventional abbreviations for quantities, without spaces between the number and the measure: so £10m, 35% or 25kg, and no extra full stops are required.
  • Show percentages as a figure (35%) rather than spelling it out (percent).

References :

The list of books, articles and sources referred to is placed at the end of the article. It is important that the Harvard referencing system is adopted.

Note:

  • The handling of author initials
  • Of multiple authors if there are no more than three use et al (no full stops)
  • Book and journal article titles receive contrasting treatment
  • There is no full stop with p or pp
  • An en dash between the page numbers with no full stop at the end
  • Also, US spelling conventions are observed in the spelling of US references, following the original.

Registration

Doctoral students, faculties of University VITEZ Bosnia & Institute of Tourism Studies Malta; have priority in registration. The fee includes participation in the conference from 20th – 22nd April 2022 The fee includes the presentation of one paper. All additional papers carry an extra conference fee. All additional authors who attend the conference must pay the conference fee. In the case your paper is not accepted and you are not interested to attend your fee will be refunded. The fees also including coffees and teas and the gala dinner.

Registration fees: €380
Registration for attending conference: €380
Online attendance: €140
Online attendance for students: €80
University booking: €3600 (up to 50 online students’ attendance)
Send your completed registration form to email: conference@circleinternational.co.uk

Accommodation

Spring and early summer, April, May and June is the best time to visit Malta. The academic events and conferences is an opportunity to explore more about history, culture, sport, and also short break, hence we assigned experience member of staff from Institute of Tourism Studies to deal with enquiries from conference’s participants and providing appropriate advice and information, through email, website, telephone and in person about accommodations options that match your interest and helping you to choose where you can stay during the conference.

You can book a room there at the rate of £80 per night for a single room or £124 per night for a double/twin room. The price includes breakfast. Kindly indicate that you are a delegate for the conference when booking.

Please feel free to get in touch through below contact details for more information about accommodation.

E-mail : yanica.gauci@its.edu.mt
Telephone number : +356 2379 3262

Covid Regulations

Covid regulations in Malta are similar to the UK at the moment and here is updated advice. Click here

Visa

If you need visa to attend the conference, please contact – luke.borg@its.edu.mt

Payment

The payment will be made by bank transfer into the account of the Institute of Tourism Studies Malta, by 19th Feb 2022, after receiving the abstract acceptance notification.

The total cost of the conference fee, including the costs of bank transfer, is covered by the participant.

Payments in Convertible Marks will be made at the Central Bank of Malta exchange rate valid on the day of the transfer. Please specify the name of participant and word: “Circle 2022” within the bank transfer details.

The necessary data for payment is:

  • Account with Institution: Bank of Valletta p.l.c.
  • Institute of Tourism Studies Malta
  • SWIFT CODE: VALLMTMT
  • Bank Name address: Skyparks Business Centre, Level 1, Malta International Airport, Triq Hal Far, Hal Luqa LQA4000
  • Beneficiary: Institute of Tourism Studies, Aviation Park, Aviation Avenue, Hal Luqa LQA9023 Malta
  • IBAN: MT03VALL22013000000040013054799
  • VAT Number: 1274-7722

Contact email: conference@circleinternational.co.uk