Inspired by the mighty Thompson River in Kamloops, the 2026 conference theme, Confluence of Tourism Research, encouraged participants to come together, explore new connections and partnerships, and navigate the future together.

Whether delving into the impacts of AI in tourism business and education, or exploring nature and culture-based tourism, the conference invited tourism researchers to broaden their professional connections and consider diverse perspectives on key issues. This year’s conference featured TTRA’s first Impact Innovation Challenge, a mini-hackathon that invited students, industry practitioners, and academics to work together in interdisciplinary teams to explore and propose data-driven solutions to sustainability challenges. The theme highlighted the vital role of partnerships among various stakeholders in tourism, including academics, students, industry practitioners, and government entities.

About the logo: Using geometric shapes and simplified design elements, the piece abstractly shows the backdrop of the Kamloops landscape, with silhouettes of ponderosa pine trees, blue sagebrush, and the flowing grasses of the plateau against a deep orange and ochre horizon. Throughout this is the iconic confluence of the North and South Thompson. One lucky winner took it home after winning the raffle held at the conference. The best part? All proceeds from the raffle were donated back to the artist, so not only did the winner get an incredible piece of art, but they also supported the amazing art community in Kamloops.

About the artist: Shay Paul is is a 24-year-old Secwépemc multi-media artist and community organizer residing on the unceded territory of Secwepemc’ulucw. Her work is grounded in visual sovereignty, using art as a way to reclaim voice, explore identity, and spark dialogue. Learn more about Shay at Ambush Art!

TTRA Canada 2025 Conference

Thompson Rivers University