What is CISTM20?
CISTM20 is the 20th Conference of the International Society of Travel Medicine, a global meeting for clinicians, researchers, educators, and public health professionals focused on travel and tropical medicine.
Where and when will CISTM20 be held?
CISTM20 is scheduled for 2–5 May 2027 in Bangkok, Thailand.
CISTM20 will be held at the Centara Grand & Bangkok It is approximately 25 km (15.5 miles) from Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Venue Address: Centara Grand at CentralWorld 999/99 Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan
Bangkok 10330, Thailand
How can I contact the hotel?
- Reservation Email: [email protected]
- General Email: [email protected]
- Telephone: +66 (0) 2-100-1234
Has ISTM secured a conference hotel rate?
Yes. ISTM has secured a limited block of discounted rooms at Centara Grand at CentralWorld for CISTM20 attendees. Availability is limited, and rooms are expected to sell out quickly.
What is the hotel room block deadline?
The discounted ISTM room block is available until Wednesday, 17 March 2027. After this date, reservations will be accepted based on availability and at prevailing hotel rates.
How do I reserve a room?
Reservations may be made here. Attendees are encouraged to book early once the link becomes available.
I was taken to a suspicious page when I clicked on the hotel link. What should I do?
The hotel, Centara Grand at CentralWorld, provided ISTM with a bit.ly (shortened url) link for attendees to make reservations. Bit.ly may verify the link is safe before directing you to the hotel reservation website. Rest assured, the link is safe if you encounter the screen below. You may either click on the red highlighted areas to be directed to the hotel reservation site right away, or you may wait until you are automatically redirected to the hotel page. If you continue to have difficulty accessing the hotel reservation website, you may need to disable your VPN or browser protection temporarily. Please note that ISTM will never ask you to send money for a hotel reservation. Any requests to do so should be considered a scam.
Who should I contact for hotel changes or cancellations?
ISTM is not responsible for hotel reservations, cancellations, policies, or fees. Please contact Centara Grand at CentralWorld directly for assistance with your booking.
What is CISTM20?
CISTM20 is the 20th Conference of the International Society of Travel Medicine, a global meeting for clinicians, researchers, educators, and public health professionals focused on travel and tropical medicine.
Where and when will CISTM20 be held?
CISTM20 is scheduled for 2–5 May 2027 in Bangkok, Thailand.
CISTM20 will be held at the Centara Grand & Bangkok It is approximately 25 km (15.5 miles) from Suvarnabhumi Airport.
How do I register for CISTM20?
Registration details will be provided on the CISTM20 section of the ISTM website. Members can register via the ISTM Member Portal, and non-members will be directed to create a profile before registering.
How can I become an ISTM member?
You may join ISTM at any time to take advantage of reduced registration rates and year-round access to professional resources and networking opportunities.
Do ISTM members receive a discount?
Yes. ISTM members receive discounted registration rates compared to non-members members.
When does registration open and close?
- Registration Opens: Monday, 23 March 2026
- Early-Bird Registration Ends: Monday, 4 January 2027
- Regular Registration Ends: Monday, 26 April 2027
- Onsite Registration: Available for registration after Monday, 26 April 2027
What is new about registration pricing for CISTM20?
For CISTM20, ISTM is introducing a tiered registration pricing model based on World Bank country income classifications. This model supports ISTM’s commitment to global equity, accessibility, and inclusion.
How does the tiered registration model work?
Registration fees are determined by the World Bank income classification of the country where you live and work, using the most current World Bank data.
Why is ISTM using this pricing model?
This approach:
- Supports broader global participation
- Promotes fairness and accessibility across diverse economic settings
- Aligns with ISTM’s mission as an international professional society
- Helps reduce financial barriers to travel medicine education and collaboration
How do I know which tier applies to me?
You should register under the tier that accurately reflects your country of residence and employment. World Bank classifications are reviewed annually and applied uniformly.
Note: Misclassification may result in adjustment of registration fees.
In what currency are registration fees charged?
All CISTM20 registration fees are listed and collected in U.S. Dollars (USD). Any currency conversion or processing fees are the responsibility of the registrant and are determined by the registrant’s financial institution.
Why should I register early?
Registering early allows you to:
- Secure the lowest available rates
- Plan travel and scheduling with confidence
- Receive timely conference updates leading up to CISTM20
What is the registration cancellation policy?
- Cancellations must be submitted in writing at least 30 days prior to the conference.
- All approved cancellations are subject to a $50 processing fee.
- Refunds will be issued within 30 days after the conference concludes.
- No refunds will be granted for cancellations made fewer than 30 days prior to 2 April 2027, except in cases of extenuating circumstances.
- In such cases, a written request must be submitted via email within 15 days after the conclusion of the conference. All cancellation requests must be emailed directly to ISTM.
- For more information regarding registration please visit the Registration page or contact ISTM.
What is the CISTM20 Call for Proposals?
The Call for Session Proposals invites experts in travel, tropical, and migration medicine to submit proposals for scientific sessions, workshops, debates, and panel discussions to be included in the CISTM20 scientific program in Bangkok, Thailand (2–5 May 2027).
How can I submit an abstract?
Abstract submission for CISTM20 is not yet available. Information regarding abstract submission guidelines, timelines, and access to the submission system will be posted on the CISTM20 website once submissions open.
Scientific Program & Proposals
Can I submit a session or presentation proposal for CISTM20?
Yes. ISTM has issued a Call for Session Proposals seeking scientific sessions, workshops, debates, and panels for the CISTM20 program.
What are the important dates?
- Submission Opens: Monday, 24 November 2025
- Submission Deadline: Tuesday, 26 February 2026
- Notification of Acceptance: Friday, 22 May 2026
Where can I submit my proposal?
Proposals are submitted through the online submission form. More information can be found on the Session Proposal page of CISTM20.
Who can submit proposals?
- Clinicians, nurses, pharmacists, and allied health professionals
- Researchers and epidemiologists
- Public health practitioners and policymakers
- Representatives from industry, NGOs, and global health organizations
- Academics, educators, and training program leaders
What types of sessions are being accepted?
- Plenary Sessions: Large sessions with leading global experts
- Symposia: Multi-speaker sessions on focused topics
- Workshops: Interactive or case-based learning sessions
- Debates: Contrasting expert viewpoints on timely issues
- Panel Discussions: Moderated expert conversations with multiple speakers
Program Topics
What topics will be covered at CISTM20?
The scientific program will include core travel medicine content such as infectious diseases, vaccines, malaria, special populations (e.g., pediatric, pregnant, immunocompromised travelers), global health issues, technology in travel medicine, and more — reflecting diverse aspects of clinical practice, research, and education.
What happens after a proposal is accepted?
Upon acceptance:
- Final session details and speaker assignments will be confirmed by the Scientific Program Committee.
- The committee may adjust session structure or speaker lineup to ensure topic balance and program quality
For more information regarding Proposals, please visit the CISTM20 Program webpage or contact ISTM.
Will session recordings be available?
Recording options for sessions will be offered to registered participants after the event, similar to previous CISTM conferences. Specific details will be posted closer to the event.
Can ISTM provide a Visa Letter of Invitation?
Yes. ISTM provides an official Visa Letter of Invitation to assist with your visa application if needed. The letter of invitation confirms conference participation only and does not create any financial obligation for ISTM. All travel-related expenses remain the responsibility of the attendee: To receive this letter, you must:
- Be registered for CISTM20
- Submit a Visa Letter of Invitation request form with your details (including full name, professional title, email, and mailing address)
Please allow sufficient time for processing, and keep in mind that the letter confirms your participation in the conference only — it does not guarantee visa approval.
Can ISTM guarantee my visa will be approved?
No. ISTM cannot guarantee visa approval. Visa issuance is solely at the discretion of the embassy or consulate. If your application is denied, ISTM cannot intervene or change the government’s decision.
Please visit the International Attendees CISTM20 webpage more information about international attendees and visas, or contact ISTM.
Will the Certificate in Travel Health (CTH) exam be offered at CISTM20?
Yes, the Certificate in Travel Health (CTH) exam will be offered in-person in conjunction with CISTM20 on May 2, 2026. Additional details regarding registration and exam logistics will be provided on ISTM’s website.
How do I apply to sit for the CTH Examination?
Candidates must submit their application to sit for the CTH Examination no later than 30 days prior to the first scheduled exam date. All candidates are required to complete the CTH Examination application directly on the ISTM website. Applications will not be accepted after the stated deadline.
Can I cancel or defer my CTH Examination registration?
Yes. Candidates may cancel or defer their examination on or before 45 days prior to the start of the examination date by contacting ISTM.
What is the deferral policy for the CTH Examination?
- Candidates are permitted one (1) deferral at no additional cost, valid only for the next available examination date.
- If a candidate is unable to attend the deferred examination date, they must submit a new application and application fee.
What is the cancellation policy for the CTH Examination?
- Cancellations received on or before 45 days prior to the examination date will be refunded minus a USD $75 application fee.
- No cancellations will be honored after 45 days prior to the examination date. Except in cases of a documented health or family emergency.
What qualifies as an emergency deferral after 45 days?
If a candidate experiences a health or family emergency after the 45-day deadline that prevents them from taking the examination, a one-time deferral to the next available examination date may be granted.
- Corroborating documentation of the emergency is required.
- Documentation must be submitted to ISTM.
- All emergency deferral requests are reviewed and approved at the discretion of the ISTM Executive Director.
Who should I contact with questions about cancellations, deferrals or applications?
All inquiries related to the CTH Examination, including cancellations, deferrals, and emergency requests, should be directed to ISTM.
How can I tell if an email is legitimate?
All official CISTM20 and ISTM communications will only come from an email address ending in istm.org. ISTM will never request sensitive personal or financial information via unsolicited email.
What should I be cautious of?
Some scam emails appear highly professional and may come from deceptive domains such as “@execs.com” or similar addresses. Always check the sender’s full email address carefully.
What should I do if I receive a suspicious email?
Do not respond, click links or provide any personal or payment information. We recommend deleting the message, reporting it as spam/phishing to your email provider or IT support and reporting it to ISTM.
Who should I contact if I’m unsure about an email?
If you are uncertain whether a message is legitimate, please contact ISTM directly before taking any action.
Who should I contact with questions?
For general conference questions and support, email ISTM or call +1-404-373-8282.