The conference programme has been developed based on contributions submitted through the Call for Papers, which is now closed. The Call invited interdisciplinary perspectives on the relationship between culture, tourism, and well-being.

The full Call for Papers is available here: Culture,Tourism and Well-being call

Panel 1

Designing for Well-Being in Cultural Tourism Experiences
Creating meaningful, engaging and transformative experiences through culture, design and technology.

• Melinda Šefčić
  Emotional and Sensory Engagement Through Public Art in a Modernist Heritage Space: The Case of Quarter in Color (2024–2025)
• Josip Zelić & Damir Demonja
  Opera Festivals as Platforms for Cultural Tourism and Well-Being: An Interdisciplinary Analysis of the Arena di Verona Festival
• Ulaf Nurul Hidayah & Rahimova Nilufar
  Exploring Visitor Experiences with Digital Enhancements at Selected Heritage Sites in Samarkand: A Pilot Study
• Annaclaudia Martini
  Making Sense of Disaster: Tourism and Heritage in Post-Disaster Japan
• Iva Hraste-Sočo & Mario Gigović
  From Repertory Stage to a Cultural Destination: Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb as an Emerging Driver of Cultural Tourism

Panel 2

Experiencing Well-being: Visitors, Identities and Contexts
Understanding how different cultural tourism contexts shape visitor experiences and well-being.

• Anja Mlakar
  Archaeological and Non-Institutional Heritage Sites in Narratives of Well-being
• Chen Zhao et al.
  Determinants of Cultural Travelers’ Destination Choice and Word-of-Mouth Behavioral Intentions: Evidence from Longji Terraces
• Aleksandra Błotnicka & Wojciech Maciejowski
  Immersive Environments and the Future of Health Tourism: The Case of QC Terme Milano
• Fang Jie
  From Cultural Consumption to Embodied Healing: A Phenomenological Study of Chinese Women’s Experiences in Bali

Panel 3

Inclusive and Lifelong Well-being in Cultural Participation
Expanding access and impact across generations and diverse social groups.

• Mario Kovač et al.
  Support of Drama and Dance Exercises in Achieving Educational and Rehabilitation Goals
• Tatjana Pivac et al.
  The Use of AI in Museums for Designing Content for Children: Case Studies of Serbia and Croatia
• Jasenka Kranjčević & Amir Muzur
  Cultural Tourism and University: What Can They Do for Each Other?
• Jesenka Ricl
  How Emotional and Sensory Engagement Shapes Museum Experiences for Older Visitors
• José Maria Carvalho et al.
  Memory as Community Care: Intangible Cultural Heritage, Well-being and Ageing in a Low-Density Rural Territory

Panel 4

Host Well-being and Sustainable Cultural Tourism Development
Linking culture, tourism and local development through sustainable and creative practices.

• Nataša Urošević et al.
  Enhancing Local Community Well-being Through Sustainable Heritage Tourism
• Ema Bašić & Anita Bušljeta Tonković
  Unlocking the Potential of Cultural and Creative Tourism for Sustainable Local Development in Croatia’s Rural Region of Lika
• Patricia Janes
  Enhancing Well-being While Preserving Cultural Tourism Sites (Volunteering)
• Rui Carvalho & José Maria Carvalho
  Heritage, Creativity and Tourism Development: Exploring the Potential of Cork and Tapestry Experiences for Community Well-being in Portalegre

Panel 5

Measuring and Managing Well-being in Cultural Contexts
Developing frameworks, indicators and methodologies for assessing impact.

• Rahimova Nilufar & Mochamad Arif Wicaksono
  Tourism Carrying Capacity Assessment and Tourist Social Psychological Comfort at Amir Temur Mausoleum
• Edita Bilaver
  From Isolation to Socialization: Measuring the Restorative Impact of Digital Cultural Interventions on Youth Well-being in European Healthcare Settings
• Marta Šveb Dragija et al.
  Beyond Attendance Scores: Measuring Well-being in Cultural Participation

Experiential Well-being Activities

• Well-being Workshop
• Guided Well-being Tour of the Croatian Natural History Museum
  Exploring how museum spaces, narratives and sensory engagement contribute to visitor well-being.

Guided City Tour of Zagreb with a Focus on Well-being
Discovering the cultural, historica