Is growth in tourism compatible with sustainability goals? At the conference ‘Sustainable tourism or sustainable growth?’, researchers from Corvinus University of Budapest and key players in the tourism sector will examine the sector’s ESG challenges, competitiveness and sustainable future.

Date: 20 November 2026, 9.00–15.00  

Venue: Gellért Campus, Auditorium 

Attendance: Free of charge, but advance registration is required. Registration deadline: 30 October 2026. 

Language of the event: Hungarian 

Sustainability and Competitiveness: Where is Hungarian Tourism Heading?  

Tourism is a key driver of economic growth, employment and regional development, whilst its operations also present significant environmental and social challenges. Growing demand for travel, resource use, labour market challenges and changing sustainability expectations all present new challenges for stakeholders in the sector. 

Is sustainability an additional cost, a regulatory constraint or a long-term competitive advantage? How can a balance be struck between the economic performance of tourism, environmental responsibility and the interests of local communities? 

These are the questions that the ESG Panorama 2026 conference, organised by the Institute for Sustainable Development at Corvinus University of Budapest, seeks to answer. This year, the conference focuses on the sustainability challenges facing the domestic hotel and tourism sectors. 

ESG Panorama: research and professional dialogue 

The Institute for Sustainable Development at Corvinus University of Budapest launched the ESG Panorama research series in 2024, which examines the sustainability readiness of Hungarian companies, the practical application of the ESG approach and the specific challenges facing individual sectors. 

The aim of this year’s research is to explore how domestic tourism businesses interpret and address sustainability-related expectations, what best practices are emerging within the sector, and what factors may facilitate or hinder more sustainable operations. 

At the conference, we will present the key findings of the ESG Panorama 2026 study, followed by a joint discussion with representatives from the academic and corporate sectors on the challenges facing the sector and possible solutions. 

Join the industry dialogue! 

The aim of the conference is to create a meeting point for the academic community, tourism businesses and sustainability experts, thereby fostering dialogue between research findings and business experience. 

We look forward to welcoming anyone interested in the future of tourism, corporate sustainability, and the practical application of ESG principles. 

Further details on the programme can be found here.