3rd International Conference on Resilience and Sustainable Regions

29 and 30 October 2026

Setúbal, Portugal

The International Conference on Resilience and Sustainable Regions provides an international forum for reflection, dialogue, and collaboration on the future of territories. Bringing together regional and global perspectives, the conference is organised by institutions from Portugal in partnership with CIEQV, CITUR - Polo Estoril, the E³UDRES² Alliance, FORGES, the International Business Week Network, and MARE.

In a context shaped by profound economic, social, environmental, and technological transformations, entrepreneurship, innovation, applied technologies, and sustainability play a key role in strengthening regional resilience, fostering collaboration between academia, institutions, and communities. Inspired by the core pillars of E³UDRES², the conference promotes a multidisciplinary approach to regional development, strengthening connections between knowledge, institutions, and society.

With a multidisciplinary approach it is expected that this conference will be attend by participants from more than 15 countries and attracts an interesting public combining academic scholars, practitioners and individuals who are engaged in the topics of:

Conference sessions will be held in English, but some selected sessions will be held in Portuguese (to be announced in the program).

Special Sessions – Thursday, 29 October 2026

Special Session 1 – Resilient Tourism Territories: Governance, Innovation and Adaptation for a Sustainable Future

Organizers

  • Mário Silva, ESHTE/CITUR
  • Jorge Umbelino, ESHTE/CITUR
11:00–12:15 · Auditorium

This session aims to explore strategies, policies and innovative solutions that strengthen the resilience of tourism destinations in response to contemporary challenges.

It seeks to promote an integrated perspective of tourism as a complex territorial system in which resilience, competitiveness and quality of life must be addressed in a holistic and interconnected manner.

Tourism destinations are increasingly exposed to a wide range of systemic risks arising from climate change, demographic shifts, health crises, geopolitical instability and rapid technological transformation. In this context, tourism resilience extends beyond the capacity to respond to shocks and crises. It encompasses the ability of territories to anticipate risks, adapt to change, learn from past experiences and transform their development models.

The panel will bring together complementary perspectives from academia, public administration, industry and technology to foster an interdisciplinary discussion on tourism resilience.

You can find more details about the special session by following this link.

Special Session 2 – INnovative and Sustainable iGovernance for High-Value Tourism

12:15–13:30 · Auditorium

This session explores the resilience of tourism destinations, focusing on governance, innovation, climate adaptation, pressure on resources, seasonality, digitalisation, risk management and community engagement.

More details to be added

Special Sessions – Friday, 30 October 2026

Special Session 2 – Resilient Port Ecosystems, AI and Sustainable Blue Regions

13:15–14:30 · Auditorium

More details to be added

Special Session 3 – Circular Models for Resilient Territories

15:00–16:15 · Casa Baía

Session dedicated to the presentation of circular models, linking circular economy, territorial sustainability, sustainable tourism, waste management, climate adaptation and regional development.

More details to be added

Registration

Registration is now open. You can find all the details at the Attending page.