Bylaws of the International Tourism Studies Association (ITSA)

First Revision, December 2010

Article I: Name of Association

The name of the association is the International Tourism Studies Association (ITSA), hereafter referred to as the Association.

Article II: Objective of the Association

The objective of the Association is to bridge the gaps in tourism studies and research, education, and training between developed and developing countries and also between China and the rest of the world.  

Article III: Activities of the Association

III-1: The Association implements various activities to achieve the objectives stated in Article II. It provides a forum for exchange of research ideas and sound research practices in tourism studies among scholars worldwide. The Association has a particular focus on Asia and the developing countries; and also is very active in the People’s Republic of China.

III-2: The Association communicates important research findings through a variety of channels for the benefit of tourism scholars and practitioners. These communication channels include the Internet; newsletters; books, journals, papers, and other publications; conferences, forums, symposiums, workshops, seminars, and other types of meetings; and various others means.

III-3: The Association will hold a Bi-Annual Conference in the even years (i.e., 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, etc.) at which a General Meeting will be held. In the odd years (e.g., 2011, 2013, 2015, etc.) and at the discretion of each Regional Vice President, regional conferences of the Association may be held.

Article IV: Membership of the Association

IV-1: Membership of the Association is open to all tourism academics, practitioners, and students in both developing and developed countries. There is no restriction on the membership size of the Association.

IV-2: There are three types of membership categories; institutional; individual; and student. Membership fees are set by the Executive Committee and ratified by members at General Meetings. Membership dues are reviewed and may be changed every two years.

Article V: Membership Dues

All Association members must pay annual membership dues according to their membership categories. The ITSA Secretariat will each year send invoices to all members via e-mail and members are expected to pay these punctually.

Article VI: Membership Benefits
Members who have paid their annual membership fees will receive a variety of benefits from the Association. The Executive Committee will determine the membership benefits in consultation with the Secretariat. The membership benefits will be ratified by the members at General Meetings.

VI-1: Receiving free bi-monthly (once every two months) newsletters from the Association.

VI-2: Attending ITSA Conferences and other ITSA events at reduced registration fees in comparison to non-members.

VI-3: Having access to the Association’s databases for research and consultancy purposes.

Article VII: Governance, Executive Committee, and Secretariat

The Association is governed by the Executive Committee comprised of the elected Officers and the Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General.

VII-1: The Officers on the Executive Committee include the Past-President; immediate Past-President; and nine (9) Regional Vice-Presidents (Greater China; South-East Asia/South Asia/Middle East; North-East Asia; Oceania and the Pacific; Africa; Western Europe; Russia and Eastern Europe; North America; and South America).

VII-2: The terms of the 10 Officers of the Association, excluding the President, are two (2) years and the Officers are elected every two years at General Meetings. If they so desire, an Officer may seek re-election for a second term of two (2) years in the same position.

VII-3: The length of service of the President shall normally be limited to no more than two (2) consecutive terms. Upon exiting the office, the President automatically becomes the immediate Past-President and serves in that position for either two (2) or four (4) years.

VII-4: In case of the incapacity of any elected Officer, the President will appoint another member to complete the term of that office. In case of the incapacity of the President while in office, one of the Regional Vice Presidents assume that office based on a majority vote of the Executive Committee.

VII-5: When the Association was founded, the Officers decided that the Secretariat would be in Beijing and administered by Peking University. Prof. Wu Bihu was appointed as the Secretary-General. The Secretary-General at his or her discretion may appoint a Deputy Secretary-General from within the membership of the Association.

VII-6: In order to ensure the continuity of the Association, the term of the Secretariat and the Secretary-General is ten (10) years. During the tenth (10th) year of service, the Executive Committee reviews the performance of the Secretariat and Secretary-General.

VII-7: The Executive Committee confers at least once each year at the call of the President. The minutes of the Executive Committee are distributed to the members of the Association as promptly as possible.

VII-8: The Executive Committee confers to conduct the business of the Association and other members may also be invited by the Executive Committee to participate in discussion of matters within their special competence.

VII-9: The actions of the Executive Committee are ratified by the members of the Association at General Meetings.

VII-10: From time to time ad hoc committees may be appointed by the Executive Committee who will, through the President, appoint the chair.

Article VIII: Committees of the Association

VIII-1: Bi-Annual Conference Committee: The Executive Committee appoints a Conference Chair at each Bi-Annual Conference for the next Bi-Annual Conference. The Bi-Annual Conference Chair nominates the members of the Bi-Annual Conference Committee for the conference that he or she has the responsibility.

VIII-2: Research Committee: The Executive Committee appoints the two (2) Research Committee Chairs with a term of four (4) years. The Research Committee Chairs, in consultation with the Executive Committee, identifies Research Sub-Committees and members for these Sub-Committees.

VIII-3: Membership Committee: The Executive Committee appoints the two (2) Membership Committee Chairs with a term of four (4) years. The Member Committee Chairs work with the Regional Vice Presidents in appointing Committee members for their regions and in conducting membership drives.

VIII-4: Nomination Committee: The Nomination Committee is an ad hoc committee chosen by the members of the Association in advance of the next Bi-Annual Conference. The Nomination Committee is formed by the simple majority vote of members present at General Meetings of the Association or by ballot distributed by the Secretariat by e-mail to members.

VIII-5: Professional Committee: The Executive Committee appoints the two (2) Professional Committee Chairs with a term of four (4) years. The Member Committee Chairs work with the Regional Vice Presidents in appointing Committee members for their regions.

Article IX: Elections of Officers

IX-1: The Nomination Committee is responsible for preparing the slate of Officers and distributing the ballot to all members at Bi-Annual Conferences. A simple majority of the votes of those present at a Bi-Annual Conference signifies election. In case there is no majority for an Officer, a second vote is taken.

IX-2: The Nominating Committee is composed of three members and is responsible for preparing the slate of officers for election. Candidates not on the slate may be nominated by at least twenty (20) members of the Association.

Article X: General Meetings, Business Affairs and Practices

X-1: The Association holds General Meetings every two years at Bi-Annual Conferences.

X-2: The Agenda of the General Meeting is e-mailed to the members one month prior to the General Meeting. All business conducted at General Meetings must fall within the scope of objective of the Association.

X-3: The Association’s business affairs are transacted either by e-mail ballot or at General Meetings by a quorum of members. One third (1/3) of the total number of members shall constitute a quorum. If a quorum is not available, a new meeting for which a quorum will not be required shall be called.

X-4: The Association has been incorporated In Hong Kong as a non-profit organization.

X-5: The Association may establish such financial reserves as considered appropriate by the Executive Committee, subject to the regulations and laws of Hong Kong.

X-6: The Association shall not operate at a deficit.

X-7: The Officers of the Association may establish such banking procedures and bank accounts as deemed appropriate and necessary for the efficient operation of the Association.

X-8: The Officers and Secretary-General have authority for signing checks and approving expenditures of the Association. All financial transactions exceeding US$500 shall require the signatures of the President, Secretary-General or one other Officer.

X-9: The Secretary-General is responsible for preparing an annual financial report which shall be sent to all members and such reports have to be approved by a simple majority of members present at the General Meeting.

X-10: The annual financial report is subject to a review by a professional accountant.

X-11: No officer of the Association shall receive remuneration for the performance of his or her duties.

Article XI: Changes to the Bylaws of the Association

Changes in the Bylaws shall be made by two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of members voting either in person or by e-mail, provided that the proposed changes have been mailed two (2) months in advance of the proposed date for voting.

Historical Note

The Association was created in Hangzhou in August 2006 by19 founding members (Wu Bihu, Song Haiyan, Alastair Morrison, Cai Liping, Chris Ryan, Li Gang, William Gartner, Geoffrey Wall, Keith Hollinshead, Chen Wei, Krishna Govender, Asli Deniz Asiye Tasci, Abd Azis Bin Abd Majid, Kong Yew Wong, Yeong-Hyeon Hwang, Janet Chang, Siu Ian So, William Feighery, and Dang Ning).

Revised December 7, 2010.