Local stakeholders' views about destination management: who are leading tourism development?. Issue 3 (12th August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tuohino, Anja; Konu, Henna
• Editors: Kozak, Michael Volgger and Harald Pechlaner, Metin
• Is Part Of: Tourism review. Volume 69:Issue 3(2014)
• Page Start: 202
• Page End: 215
• Publication Date: 2014-08-12
• Subjects: Competition -- Co-operation -- Destination management -- Entry barriers -- Coopetition -- DMOs -- Local stakeholders; Tourism -- Periodicals; 338.479105
• DOI: 10.1108/TR-06-2013-0033
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1660-5373

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: – The purpose of the paper is to study how the local stakeholders of three different tourism destinations consider who is responsible for the development of a tourism destination (if identifiable) and why. Design/methodology/approach: – This study takes a multiple case study approach. Three different destinations are compared. A qualitative research method was chosen. The data are based on the interviews of tourism and wellbeing professionals (tourism entrepreneurs, experts and regional developers). Findings: – The interview results suggest that destination leadership seems to be context-dependent. Competition, co-operation and coopetition all occur in different forms in different regions. Various kinds of co-operation are distinguishable between stakeholders of case regions, and the level of leadership among actors varies in the regions; one region is strongly managed by marketing company, while on other the co-operative store chain is apparently dominant. The roles of local educational institutes also varied depending on the case area. In addition, some entry barriers were identified. Research limitations/implications: – The data were collected three to four years ago, so some changes in the areas and in the roles and relationships of diverse stakeholders may have occurred. Practical implications: – By identifying challenges faced in diverse regions diverse destination managers can identify challenges likely to occur at destinations with similar management structures. Originality/value: – The paper discusses the challenges and roles of diverse stakeholders in destination management by using empirical cases.