Abstract - Scientific and martial arts' tourism. The case study of the 3rd IMACSSS International Conference and Congress
Aim is a description of the World Congress of specialists in the field of martial arts and combat sports, belonging to the International Martial Arts and Combat Sports Scientific Society (IMACSSS). It is both a review of scientific events and its analysis as an important event for martial arts tourism. What sub-form of the martial arts tourism was this 3rd World Scientific Congress of Combat Sports and Martial Arts?
Method. This is a case study. Sources are analysed and the authors also advance the method of participant observation. It includes standard methodological ”humanistic coefficient” of Florian Znaniecki's and content analysis of subject literature.
Results. In Rzeszow there was a meeting of the leaders of scientific societies, editors of specialized journals, the main masters of martial arts schools, theoreticians, experts and empiric researchers. For some participants of the Congress it was martial arts tourism in its colloquial meaning, i.e. a situation when martial arts are a tourist attraction of the place. However, most of the participants of this Congress participated in it mainly for research purposes. A particular kind of travel for studying martial arts is a trip in connection with a scientific congress or conference which is devoted to ”martial arts sciences” (sub-form no. 7).
Conclusion. The community of martial arts' researchers focused on martial arts IMACSSS thrives. Changing roles of hosts and guests in this type of scientific and cultural tourism is a result of organizational development and the increasing level (knowledge and skills). The described Congress was successful both for participants and organizers; it was an event that formed part of the martial arts history and the history of specialities: martial arts science/sciences.