The 2004 ATLAS Annual Conference has focused on the development of the networks and partnerships in tourism in response to the changing external and internal environment of the global tourism in industry.The Conference has been the the occasion for acdemic and reserach institutions to share ideas, find some answers and illustrate significant case studies. But, overall, to find issues of common interest and give birth to activities of international research that will be developed also by the ATLAS Special Interest groups. The sessions were dedicated to teh following topic: 1.Innovation, Technology & Networking 2.Networking for Quality 3.Institutions & Networking 4.Destination Development by Networking 5.Tourism Local Systems & Networking 6.Heritage Tourism & Networking 7.Cultural Diversities & Partnership

For the first time the conference of the International Association of Maritime Economist (IAME) was be hosted in Italy and it was taken place at the Istituto Universitario Navale of Naples on 13-15 September 2000.

The conference is organised jointly by the Naples Research Institute on Service Activities (IRAT) of the National Research Council (CNR) and the Centre for International Transport Management of the London Guildhall University (UK).

The main aim of the conference has been to further the dialogue between industry and academia. It has contributed to have an exchange of business practice and the most recent research developments on some issues which seem to be crucial to the industry.

The event, attracted  a number of researchers, academics, consultants and industrialists from all over the world.