5th International Conference on Sustainable Tourism, 13 - 15 June 2012, Coruña, Spain

 Introduction

Sustainable Tourism 2012 is the fifth meeting organised in this successful series. The first was held in Segovia, Spain (2004); followed by Bologna, Italy (2006); Malta (2008) and the New Forest, UK (2010). Tourism has become a major international industry, with many countries all over the world relying on the income it produces. Its economic advantages as a major source of finance and employment leads to its active promotion by governments and other institutions, independent of the consequences on the environment, ecology and social structure of affected regions.

The demands of tourism can contribute to the destruction of the natural and cultural environment upon which it depends. The natural and cultural landscape’s capacity to accommodate the local and worldwide effects of tourism, the typology thereof and its implications for human economy and society constitute very important study objectives. The development of tourism includes degradation of the natural landscape, caused by this industry associated with the phenomenon and paradoxically, it is also associated with the high appraisal the tourist makes of places free of human presence.

Sustainable Tourism 2012 aims to find ways to protect the natural and cultural landscape through the development of new solutions which minimise the adverse effects of tourism. This can be achieved through the development of new strategies involving the active collaboration of society as a whole. Such solutions ought to cope with the continuous growth of tourism impacts on the country including culture and society.

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Benefits of Attending

Participants who opt to have their paper permanently and openly accessible on the WIT Press eLibrary will receive a USB Flash Drive containing all the papers presented at previous conferences in the Sustainable Tourism series.

• Conference Books Papers are published in paper and digital format and widely distributed throughout the world.  Delegates will have the option to receive a copy of the book in paper or digital format at the time of registration. Papers are also archived at http://library.witpress.com
• Open Access Authors have the option to make their work available in Open Access format for wider dissemination.
• Journal Papers Presenters will be invited to submit a paper to one of the six International Scientific Journals edited by the Wessex Institute.
• Networking Participants can present their research and interact with experts from around the world, becoming part of a unique community.

 Abstract and Paper Submission Information

Papers are invited on the topics outlined and others falling within the scope of the meeting. Abstracts of no more than 300 words should be submitted as soon as possible. Abstracts should clearly state the purpose, results and conclusions of the work to be described in the final paper.

We strongly encourage the submission of abstracts electronically, by clicking on the 'Submit an Abstract' button found at the top and bottom of this page. If you prefer, abstracts can be sent by email, fax or mail to the Conference Secretariat. Details can be found on the left side of this page. Please include your name, full address and conference topic on all submissions.

Final acceptance will be based on the full-length paper, which if accepted for publication, must be presented at the conference. The language of the conference will be English.

The paper deadline will be advised after submission of abstracts.

 Late Paper Submission

Papers may still be accepted for oral presentation shortly before the conference takes place. It may not however, always be possible to include late papers in the Conference Proceedings. Instead, late papers may be published in a future edition of the conference book series.

For further information please contact the Conference Secretariat for this conference whose details can be found to the left side of this page.

 Registration Information

To register online for this conference please complete the registration form by clicking on the 'Register' button at the top or bottom of this page. If you would prefer to print out a copy of the Registration Form, please download the PDF Registration Form below and return to the Conference Secretariat.

Includes Conference Proceedings, (with the exception of student option) other documentation and refreshments.

Registration Fee, €1380

Reduced Fee for authors, €980

Conference Chairmen, WIT Fellows and members of the Scientific Advisory Committee, €930

Students who are not authors (does not include a copy of the Conference Proceedings), €500

Publication of Papers

Papers presented at Sustainable Tourism 2012 will appear in a volume of WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment (ISSN: 1746-448X, Digital ISSN 1743-3541).

The papers will also be archived online in the Transactions of the Wessex Institute collection (http://library.witpress.com). The collection provides the international scientific community with immediate and permanent access to individual papers presented at WIT conferences. WIT Press is committed to offering authors the option to make their work freely accessible to colleagues through their Open-Access service.

Open Access
WIT Press is committed to Open-Access. We strongly believe that removing barriers to research published online will greatly aid progress in many scientific and technical disciplines.

A Coruña

Originally an important Roman trading port, A Coruña is a busy city in the north-west of Spain whose character is distinctly different to that of Mediterranean Spain.

Located in the verdant agricultural region of Galicia, A Coruña is home to Roman remains, castles, museums and impressive produce markets, and is perhaps most famous for it’s excellent fish and seafood. A new promenade frames the waterfront, extending the length of the city and linking its many attractions, shopping areas and beaches. The nineteenth century centre is noted for its unusual Galerias – glazed balconies on the front of almost all buildings which allow the city’s residents to enjoy the Atlantic views year round. A landmark of the city, the 2,000 year old tower of Hercules is the oldest lighthouse in existence, a World Heritage site and National Monument of Spain.

 
A Coruña is home to a number of innovative museums as well as a number of interesting galleries.  Located in the “Parque de Santa Margarida” in the city centre, the ‘Casa de las Ciencias’ science museum and planetarium is an interactive and much acclaimed addition to the city.  The park also contains a large amphitheatre, remains of several old windmills and an ornamental waterfall.  The 'Casa del Hombre', or Museum of Man, can be found close to the waterfront and includes an 3D IMAX cinema. Other museums include the Collegiate church sacred art museum, Regional Military Museum, built on the site of a Franciscan monastery, a Contemporary Art Museum (MACUF) and a Fine Arts museum which includes pieces by Goya.

In the centre of A Coruña, the 150 year old 'Xardins de Mendez Nuñez' contains several notable monuments and an extensive arboretum.  Like many of the city’s attractions, the park has strong links with the sea having been built on reclaimed coastline.  The Castle of San Anton, perched on an outcrop of rock on the edge of the sea, marks the tip of the headland upon which most of the old centre of A Coruña is built, and now contains a museum.  The castle is a focal point along this part of the promenade, where the city meets with the beach, and is popular with both keen surfers, locals and tourists.

Beyond the city centre, the Tower of Hercules remains A Coruña’s most prominent landmark.  Close by, a sculpture park exhibits 15 open air artworks, and the parks of Monte San Pedro and Bens offer numerous walks through the recently landscaped area. A Coruña’s large aquarium can be found here and remains very popular with visitors to the region.

Santiago de Compostela

Futher inland, the historic town of Santiago de Compostela lies one hour south further inland than A Coruña and is renown as the final point along the Camino de Santiago, or Way of St James, pilgrimage route.  The town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with a spectacular cathedral, traditional narrow shopping streets and large squares.  The wealth of older buildings in the centre have a unique Romanesque style, and many of the towns plazas, the palaces and the buildings of the university district have notable facades.  The town’s striking architecture and interesting history make Santiago de Compostela a popular day trip from A Coruña.

 Weather

Galicia is one the most verdant regions in Spain, thanks to a milder, temperate climate.  A Coruña experiences wet winters with drier, warmer summers.  Temperatures in June are usually between 18-22°C with occasional rainfall.

 Travel to A Coruña

A Coruña Airport is located 8km from the conference venue and offers flights from Madrid and Barcelona for most international connections.  Direct flights to A Coruña are also available from several other major European airports.  Santiago de Compostela Airport-Lavacolla is 52km from the conference venue and offers flights from a range of other European cities.

A Coruña Airport

Most delegates will find it easiest to fly to Madrid or Barcelona, and take an onwards flight to A Coruña.  These airports are well-served by flights from all major airports worldwide. Flights are available daily to A Coruña from Barcelona with Spanair and Vueling, and Iberia and Spanair from Madrid.  Direct flights to A Coruña are also offered with TAP Portugal from Lisbon, and from London Heathrow and Seville with Vueling.

From the Airport

• Bus: ASICASA buses depart every 30 minutes on weekdays between 7.15am and 9.45pm, and every hour at weekends (from 8am Saturday and 9am Sunday, until 10pm). The 25 minute journey to the city centre costs €1.25.
• Taxi: Taxis are readily available at the airport and cost approximately €20 for travel to the centre of A Coruña.
• Hire Car: Avis, Hertz, Europcar and ATESA operate at the airport, and routes to the city centre are well-signposted. 

Santiago de Compostela Airport-Lavacolla

Ryanair flies to Santiago de Compostela from Frankfurt (Hahn), London Stansted, Milan-Bergamo as well as several regional airports across Spain.  In addition, Easyjet offers flights from Geneva, Aer Lingus from Dublin and Vueling from Zurich.

From the Airport

• Hire Car: Several hire car companies operate at the airport and A Coruña is clearly signposted following the E1 motorway. 
• Bus: Travidi operates a daily bus service from Santiago de Compostela Airport to A Coruña at 12.15 noon. http://www.travidi.com

 Rail Travel

A Coruña is well connected to other Galician cities and the main Spanish rail network.  The main rail station is situated in Plaza de Madrid in the city centre, opposite the bus station.  Long distance rail services operate from Madrid, Barcelona (via Zaragoza) and Portugal.

RENFE – Spanish railways – www.renfe.es

 Road Travel

Venue and Accommodation

Accommodation Booking Form

Sustainable Tourism 2012 will take place at the Meliá Maria Pita hotel in A Coruña. Situated in an exceptional waterfront position, close to two of the city’s most popular beaches, the hotel is a short distance from the main sights and amenities in the city centre. The hotel offers a wide range of well-equipped rooms, each with air conditioning, WIFi and satellite television.  WiFi is also available throughout the hotel.

Dining at the hotel Meliá Maria Pita is offered in the Sir John Moore piano bar and Trueiro restaurant.  The Trueiro restaurant serves European cuisine with an emphasis on local Gallician dishes, including fresh seafood specialties.  As well as a main dining area, the restaurant also has an attractive courtyard dining area.  The Sir John Moore piano bar offers light meals and refreshments, as well as live music in a relaxed setting.

Special accommodation rates have been negotiated at this hotel on behalf of our delegates.  Accommodation booking forms can be found under the Additional Information section on the left of this page.  Please note that reservations should be made as soon as possible to benefit from these rates