Contemporary Perspectives in Wine Tourism: Theory, Methods and Practice

Call for Papers – Contemporary Perspectives in Wine Tourism: Theory, Methods and Practice

Journal: International Journal of Wine Business Research (IJWBR)
Publisher: Emerald Publishing
Special issue closes: 30 June 2026

This special issue, issued in partnership with the 16th Academy of Wine Business Research (AWBR) Conference (University of Adelaide, Australia, 2–6 February 2026), focuses on contemporary developments in wine tourism, exploring how innovation, digitalisation, and sustainability are reshaping wine‑related travel, experiences, and business models. It invites theoretical and empirical contributions that examine wine tourism from the perspective of consumers, wineries, destinations, and other stakeholders across the wine‑tourism and hospitality value chain.

Why this issue matters

• Wine tourism is a high‑value niche sector linking cultural heritage, regional identity, rural development, and consumer experience.

• Technological and societal shifts—including precision viticulture, organic/biodynamic production, digitalisation, and sustainability pressures—are transforming winery operations, visitor experiences, and destination marketing.

• This SI aims to advance wine‑tourism theory, methods, and managerial practice, building on the AWBR conference platform and the journal’s long track record of highly cited wine‑tourism research.

Core themes and research areas

Papers should address wine tourism at the intersection of experience, innovation, and sustainability, for example:

• Wine tourism experiences and co‑creation

  • How new viticulture and winemaking practices (organic, biodynamic, precision) affect visitor experience, authenticity, and perceived quality.

  • Role of storytelling, heritage, and regional identity in enhancing wine‑tourism value.

• Digitalisation, innovation, and the wine sector

  • Use of digital platforms, virtual tours, and online booking systems in wine‑tourism marketing and management.

  • Impact of automation, smart technologies, and data analytics on winery operations and customer engagement.

• Sustainable development and community engagement

  • Wine tourism’s contribution to rural and regional economic development, environmental protection, and social inclusion.

  • Community‑based and stakeholder‑centric wine‑tourism models involving local residents, tourism businesses, and public institutions.

• Business models, entrepreneurship, and hospitality

  • Entrepreneurial strategies in wine tourism (e.g., family‑owned wineries, boutique experiences, multi‑site regional packages).

  • Hospitality‑driven value creation, including gastronomy, accommodation, and event‑based experiences.

• Cross‑country and regional comparisons

  • Cultural differences and similarities in wine‑tourism demand, management, and policy.

  • Best practices in wine tourism from different regions and national markets.

Guest editors

• Prof. Natalia Velikova, Texas Tech University, USA

• Prof. Donna Sears, Acadia University, Canada

• Prof. Tatiana Bouzdine‑Chameeva, KEDGE Business School, France

Submission details

• Submission platform: ScholarOne Manuscripts for IJWBR:
  https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/ijwbr

• When submitting, select the special issue title “Contemporary Perspectives in Wine Tourism: Theory, Methods and Practice” in the dropdown “Please select the issue you are submitting to”.

• Key dates:

  • Manuscript submission opens: 1 December 2025

  • Manuscript submission closes: 30 June 2026

  • Abstract expression‑of‑interest (off‑conference): 1 December 2025 – 1 February 2026 (via email to the guest editors, following the AWBR conference abstract template).

• Submissions must be original, full‑length articles; short papers and research notes are not accepted.

• Papers selected from the AWBR 2026 conference will be invited to submit extended manuscripts, which will then undergo standard double‑blind peer review at IJWBR.

Papers should clearly connect wine tourism with contemporary theoretical and methodological developments and offer actionable insights for wineries, destination managers, hospitality providers, and policy makers.

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