Engaging stakeholders in cultural tourism Living Labs: A pathway to innovation, sustainability, and resilience

Published in: Technology in Society (2024)
DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2024.102742

Overview

How can we design innovative and resilient cultural tourism systems? My latest research sheds light on the transformative role of Living Labs (LLs) in engaging stakeholders to co-create sustainable solutions. This study, based on a case from Split, Croatia, explores the motivations, benefits, and strategies for implementing stakeholder-driven approaches in heritage tourism.

Living Labs offer a unique framework for collaboration among local communities, policymakers, and industry leaders, addressing key sustainability challenges and paving the way for innovation in cultural tourism.

Why This Matters

Tourism, particularly in heritage destinations, faces challenges such as over-tourism, resource depletion, and the need for equitable development. By leveraging Living Labs, we can foster:

  • Stakeholder Collaboration: Building partnerships to co-create innovative solutions.
  • Sustainability and Resilience: Strengthening heritage destinations against social and environmental challenges.
  • Smart Governance: Promoting bottom-up, stakeholder-centric management.

Key Findings from the Study

Using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA/CFA), we identified the following:

  1. Top Stakeholder Motivations:
    • Shifting perspectives on tourism development.
    • Enhancing educational initiatives for locals and visitors.
    • Improving heritage interpretation.
  2. Tangible Benefits:
    • Enriched tourism offerings, such as joint marketing strategies and new visitor experiences.
    • Strengthened resilience in heritage destinations through better resource management.
  3. Ambidextrous Management:
    Balancing innovation and resource efficiency fosters collaboration while maintaining sustainability goals.

Practical Implications

This research highlights actionable strategies for policymakers and practitioners, such as:

  • Encouraging local ownership and community-driven tourism initiatives.
  • Designing visitor experiences that combine cultural authenticity with innovation.
  • Implementing governance models that prioritize sustainability and inclusivity.

How to Cite This Research

If you find these insights valuable, please reference the study as follows:

Mandić, A., Séraphin, H., & Vuković, M. (2024). Engaging stakeholders in cultural tourism Living Labs: A pathway to innovation, sustainability, and resilience. Technology in Society, 79, Article 102742.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2024.102742

Read the Full Paper

The complete study is available on ScienceDirect.

Join the Conversation

What role do you think Living Labs can play in reimagining tourism for the future? Share your thoughts and let’s discuss how we can work together to make cultural tourism more sustainable and inclusive!