International Conference TEDU26 at the Faculty of Tourism

The Faculty of Tourism, University of Maribor, will host the international academic and professional conference TEDU26 from 23–25 September 2026 in Brežice, Slovenia.

The conference will explore the intersections of wine, cultural heritage, and contemporary tourism development, bringing together researchers, tourism professionals, destination managers, winemakers, and other stakeholders engaged in wine tourism, heritage interpretation, and innovative tourism experiences.

The aim of the conference is to foster interdisciplinary dialogue on the role of wine as a cultural, social, and tourism phenomenon, while highlighting new approaches to heritage interpretation and sustainable destination development.

The conference programme will focus on three thematic tracks. However, submissions are not limited to the topics listed below.

Wine, Identity and Destination Narratives

• The cultural, social, and symbolic meanings of wine in shaping place identity
• Innovative approaches in wine tourism development and destination management
• Integration of wine, gastronomy, and local traditions in tourism experiences
• Cooperation networks and governance models for wine destinations
• Case studies of successful wine regions and heritage-based storytelling

Heritage, Memory and the Culture of Wine

• Wine as a form of intangible and living cultural heritage
• Historical, archaeological, and religious dimensions of wine culture
• Heritage landscapes and their preservation through tourism
• Wine traditions as tools for community identity and collective memory
• Interpretive strategies linking tangible and intangible heritage
• Storytelling and creative reinterpretation of heritage in tourism
• Music and wine

Digital Futures and Innovation in Wine and Heritage Tourism

• Digital transformation in wine and heritage interpretation (AR/VR, immersive media)
• Smart tourism and data-driven innovation in destination development
• Digital storytelling, social media, and influencer cultures in wine tourism
• Branding and marketing heritage-based destinations in the digital age
• The role of AI, creative technologies, and design thinking in tourism innovation
• Challenges and opportunities for small producers and heritage institutions in the digital transition

The conference will feature keynote lectures by Dr. Marianna Sigala and Dr. Emanuela Panke, focusing on wine tourism, cultural heritage, and tourism development.

Call for abstracts

Researchers, professionals, and practitioners are invited to participate in the conference as speakers.

Authors may submit an abstract of up to 500 words, which should clearly present:

• research objectives
• methodology
• main findings
• relevance to the conference theme

Submissions should be made via the ONLINE FORM.

More information about the conference programme, important dates, and participation details will be published soon at TEDU26 conference website: TEDU26 CONFERENCE - Faculty of Tourism

The international conference TEDU26 is part of the activities of the INTERWINE project (Combining cultural heritage and eno-tourism to create a sustainable cross-border destination).

Project Description & Goals: The main objective is to strengthen the role of culture and sustainable tourism by developing a new joint tourism product that connects the rich cultural heritage and viticulture traditions of the cross-border region. The project focuses on improving the destination's appeal and ensuring economic recovery through stakeholder capacity building.

Key Results: The project will establish recognizable tourist routes between Slovenia and Croatia, create the "InterWine Manual" for future cooperation, and set up dedicated "InterWine spaces" in Velika Gorica, Pušća, and Brežice to promote local producers and heritage.

Financing: This project is co-funded by the European Union under the Interreg Slovenia-Croatia Programme from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Total Project Budget: 1,383,080.02 EUR.