Workshop Overview
The International Union of Railways (UIC) is pleased to announce the Future Rail Tourism Workshop, an online event dedicated to exploring how rail can adapt to evolving tourism trends and become a cornerstone of sustainable, comfortable, and innovative travel.
The workshop will bring together railway professionals, tourism experts, academics, and policymakers to exchange knowledge, share case studies, and discuss strategies for shaping the future of rail-based tourism.
Drawing on the ongoing Future Rail Tourism (FRT) project, the event will showcase survey results and modelling analysis, highlight industry best practices, and gather feedback from stakeholders to inform the forthcoming UIC Future Rail Tourism Report.
Themes & Topics of Interest (aligned with FRT results)
Digitalisation & Passenger Confidence
- Digital technologies as the “operating system” of rail tourism (booking, real-time info, apps).
- How digitalisation enhances trust, safety, sustainability, and even premium services.
Health, Safety & Post-Pandemic Expectations in Leisure Mobility
- Hygiene, spacious seating, and contactless services as long-term expectations.
- Safety as a baseline that unlocks demand for luxury and leisure tourism.
Sustainability & Green Value Propositions for Rail Tourism
- Rail as the eco-friendly choice compared to air and road.
- Sustainability as a driver when linked to rural access and supported by digitalisation.
Luxury, Comfort & Emotional Value in Rail Experiences
- Premium services (cabins, dining, entertainment) attracting high-spending travellers.
- Luxury not just as a niche, but as a mainstream expectation tied to trust and comfort.
Rural Access & Cultural Storytelling
- Rail as a gateway to scenic routes, heritage destinations, and authentic cultural experiences.
- “Slow tourism” and storytelling as unique differentiators of rail-based tourism.
Rail & Bicycles: Intermodality for Active and Eco-Friendly Tourism
- Strong demand for bike-on-board services, especially among younger and student travellers.
- Intermodal “rail + bike” packages promoting regional and eco-tourism.
Air–Rail Multimodality: Policies, Partnerships & Modelling
- Modelling the impacts of air–rail integration on tourism flows and emissions.
- Joint policies and partnerships between airlines, airports, and railways to expand seamless multimodality.
Personalisation & Traveller Segmentation
- Insights from multi-group analysis: age, gender, and occupation matter in rail tourism choices.
- AI and smart tools to tailor rail tourism offers to diverse traveller profiles.
Who Should Apply
We welcome contributions from:
• Railway companies and passenger service managers
• Tourism boards and destination managers
• Academic researchers in tourism, transport and sustainability
• Technology providers (digitalisation, intermodality, AI)
• NGOs and associations (cycling, green tourism, cultural heritage)
• Policy makers and regulators in tourism & transport
Submission Guidelines
Please submit your interest by providing:
1. Title of your proposed presentation
2. Short abstract/description (200–300 words)
3. Brief speaker biography (up to 150 words)
Send submissions to: toprail at uic.org
Submission deadline: Friday, 31 October 2025
Language: English
Duration of presentations: 10-20 minutes + Q&A
Why Participate?
The workshop will be a unique opportunity to:
- Contribute to shaping the upcoming UIC Future Rail Tourism Report
- Showcase innovative projects and case studies
- Exchange with an international community of experts in tourism & rail
- Highlight your organisation’s role in sustainable mobility