Envisioning an equitable tourism model (ETM)
Optimising benefits and sharing value for destination communities
This project aims to create a roadmap with selected mechanisms to assist destination management (and similar) organisations with the goal to optimize the benefits generated by tourism for destination communities and ensure that it is shared equitably.
Reason
With this project, tools will be provided that identify and address inequality in terms of access to the benefits and value tourism generates. We envision implementing a more equitable tourism model which ensures fair distribution of benefits in destination communities. It could potentially increase value for previously excluded or underserved groups.
Problem solution
This study aims to serve as:
- A roadmap for building a more equitable tourism future, including evidence-based mechanisms to enhance the fair distribution of tourism benefits and value within destination communities.
- A reminder of the frequently overlooked challenges concerning the capacity of tourism to drive equitable socio-economic development.
- A response to the increasing interest from destination management organisations to ensure that tourism benefits the entire community, not just those who directly benefit economically.
The project team consists of:
- The European Tourism Futures Institute (ETFI) at NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences
- Breda University of Applied Sciences
- HZ University of Applied Sciences
- Travel Foundation (TF)
- The Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions (NBTC)
- Destination Think Canada
- Göteborg & Co
Approach
The project team follows a mixed-method approach, making use of both secondary and primary data.
This research project runs from September 2023 till June 2024