The uneven distribution of fees for virtual academic conferences

Abstract This study examines factors of importance for the pricing of virtual academic conferences based on information on their quality attributes. Data are based on 76 virtual conferences held or planned to be held in the field of tourism and related fields between April 2020 and December 2021. The distribution of fees is skewed with a median price of US$61 and an average of US$126. One fourth of the conferences is free of charge, although there is a trend toward increased prices the longer the time elapse from the outbreak of the pandemic, ceteris paribus. Count data model estimations show that the conference fee depends on size, academic field, and location of the host. A one-day conference is on average US$60 cheaper than a two-day event while pure tourism conferences are on average US$34 more expensive than those in related fields. Conferences in the United Kingdom have the lowest fees while hybrid format is a factor of specific importance for the pure tourism events. Reputation of the host university and whether the conference is held by an association are aspects of no significance for the fee.