1st Merkur University International Tourism Conference & Annual Conference of the Working Group on Leisure- and Tourism-Geography [Arbeitskreis Freizeit- und Tourismusgeographie] on 'Developments of Tourism, Leisure, and Recreation in Low Mountain Ranges (and corresponding valleys)', 03.-04.07.2009, at Merkur University of Applied Science, Karlsuhe, Germany.

Conference Venue: Merkur University of Applied Sciences, Campus at Reinhold-Frank-Str. 32a, 76133 Karlsruhe, Germany

Conference Language: English Conference Theme: Low mountain regions have been developed into tourist destinations from the beginning of commercial tourism in the 19th century. The early industrialisation of the lowlands in the river valleys and basins and the attendant rise of an industrialised urbanitiy made the nearby nature-oriented low mountains perfect destinations for recreational tourism in spas and mountain resorts. In addition in many world regions low mountain areas possessed the advantage of moderate climates that attracted tourists and seasoners. Besides nature low mountain regions often have cultural heritage as potential attractor for tourism; e.g. related to local cuisine or viniculture, vineyards, wineries, breweries and destilleries. But since the end of the 20th century tourism, leisure and recreation are on the move. Especially tourism, leisure and recreation in low mountain ranges faces various challenges due to important and sustainable changes forced by glocalised impacts like climate change, economic recession, ICT innovations, consumer behaviour. This major conference seeks to examine the complexity of tourism, leisure, and recreation within the geographic frame of low mountains and their corresponding valleys and its changing interdependicies of nature, endogenous and exogenous culture. We wish to promote dialogue across disciplinary boundaries and we therefore welcome presentations from all disciplines dealing with tourism, leisure and recreation in low mountain areas.