This theme explores how emerging AI technologies are reshaping value creation, service delivery, and guest experiences across tourism and hospitality sectors. It focuses on the transformative potential of generative AI, automation, and intelligent service systems in enhancing operational efficiency, service personalization, and data-informed decision-making. Contributions addressing predictive analytics, personalized travel design, and immersive technologies—including AR, VR, MR, and digital twins—are particularly encouraged, especially those that demonstrate methodological rigor and offer theoretical or practical advancements for the industry.

This theme examines the interplay between smart destination development and sustainable tourism futures in emerging economies. It highlights how AI-enabled systems, smart city infrastructures, and real-time data environments can support sustainability goals such as resource optimization, carbon reduction, and responsible visitor management. Papers are invited that investigate technology adoption in rural or underserved communities, showcase inclusive approaches to smart tourism development, and address the unique challenges and opportunities facing the Global South in building resilient and equitable tourism ecosystems.

This theme focuses on the critical role of collaborative frameworks that unite universities, tourism enterprises, and policymakers in accelerating digital transformation. It welcomes studies on joint research initiatives, living labs, open innovation platforms, and co-education models that strengthen talent development and foster AI-driven solutions for the tourism and hospitality sectors. Contributions that highlight successful cases of industry–academia partnerships, demonstrate scalable cooperative strategies, or present new models for aligning educational systems with technological change are especially encouraged.

This theme invites research on the growing entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystems shaping the future of tourism technology, particularly within the Global South. Submissions may explore the development of AI-enabled startups, accelerator and incubator models, venture creation processes, and commercialization pathways for emerging tourism technologies. Studies grounded in empirical evidence, case analyses, or ecosystem-level perspectives are encouraged, especially those that reveal how innovation networks contribute to competitiveness, inclusiveness, and sustainable growth in tourism economies.

This theme addresses the governance challenges, ethical complexities, and policy implications of adopting AI across tourism and hospitality. It seeks contributions that examine responsible AI frameworks, data governance mechanisms, transparency and fairness concerns, and regulatory approaches that balance innovation with societal well-being. Papers that explore cross-country policy comparisons, ethical risk mitigation strategies, or governance models that promote accountable and sustainable AI deployment—particularly in the context of the Global South—are highly welcomed.