Overview

We are pleased to invite submissions for abstracts for the upcoming two-day symposium on Communities, Conservation, and Sustainable Tourism (CCST) to be held on November 13-14, 2025, at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania. This symposium aims to bring together scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and community stakeholders to explore the intersection of community engagement, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable tourism. We welcome contributions that highlight innovative approaches, case studies, theoretical developments, and empirical research on how communities can thrive while supporting sustainable tourism and conservation efforts. Sessions will include keynote speeches, panel discussions, oral presentations and a poster session. On Saturday, November 15, there will be an optional half-day hike to one of the scenic destinations near the city of Morogoro.

Submission Guidelines

• Abstract length: 400-700 including references
• Abstract format: title of your paper, purpose, study design, results, study value/implications, and 3-5 keywords, author(s) names and affiliations.
• Accepted submissions will be published in the conference proceedings
• For research work, we welcome completed or works in advanced stage
• All submissions will undergo a review process

Important Dates

• Submission deadline: July 31, 2025
• Decision notification: August 31, 2025
• Early Bird registration open: June 01, 2025
• Regular registration open: September 01, 2025
• Symposium dates: November 13-14, 2025

Topics of Interest

We invite authors to submit conceptual, empirical, and methodological contributions. Suggested topics of interest include, but they are not limited to:

• Community-based tourism and conservation initiatives
• The socio-economic impacts of nature-based tourism
• Governance and policy frameworks for sustainable tourism
• Indigenous knowledge systems and their role in conservation
• Cross-border co-operation and regional tourism policies
• Women/gender equality in tourism and resource conservation
• Challenges and opportunities for community involvement in tourism
• Cross-sector collaboration for sustainable tourism
• Intersection of tourism, social justice and poverty alleviation
• Climate change adaptation through conservation and tourism
• Harnessing AI and other technologies in tourism planning and management
• Pedagogy for sustainable tourism in Sub-Saharan Africa

Registration Fee

^*must show proof of studentship, ^#meals and tour only

Committees

Event Co-Chairs

• Dr. Bernard Kitheka, Missouri State University
• Dr. Agnes Sirima, Sokoine University of Agriculture
• Dr. Edwin Sabuhoro, Penn State University

Scientific Committee

• Dr. John Mgonja, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania
• Dr. Peter Ezra, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania
• Dr. Pita Mkumbo, Arizona State University-HAITC, USA/China
• Dr. Annah Amani, State University of New York at Plattsburgh, USA
• Dr. Geffrey Riungu, Moi University, Kenya
• Dr. Ian Munanura, Oregon State University, USA

Keynote Speakers

• Dean Allen Lawrence, Professor and Dean Emeritus, Clemson University
• Judy Kepher-Gona, Director / Senior Consultant Sustainable Travel & Tourism Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
• Dr. Aloyce Nzuki, Executive Director, Touchwood Consulting Ltd, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Contact

Please contact the event co-chairs for questions

• Dr. Bernard Kitheka, mkitheka@missouristate.edu
• Dr. Agnes Sirima, agnes@sua.ac.tz
• Dr. Edwin Sabuhoro, eps5479@psu.edu

Event Sponsors

• Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania
• Missouri State University, MO, USA
• Clemson University, SC, USA