Managing inclusiveness: representation and knowledge integration in tourism development and place branding

• Tourism and place branding is moving towards inclusiveness in various ways. For instance, DMOs expand their functions from marketing to also include development and management of tourism, which imply collaboration with different types of stakeholders. In tourism literature, new concepts emerge, which challenge dominant power relations and top-down approaches. However, studies spanning across functions and structures are scarce, and the interdependency involved in destination management has not yet been sufficiently considered. The purpose of this paper is to explore the integration of knowledge from various actors and stakeholders, not least residents, in tourism development and management by considering issues of representation and knowledge integration. The findings build upon a study of a park development project in a small community in Sweden, which is multicultural in its composition. The project involved public and community-based organisations, university actors and old and new locals. The methods used were observations and interviews. The major implications are that inclusiveness must move beyond public-private partnerships to include smaller actors and residents. Other fields have a long history of developing education, recommendations, guidelines and laws regarding citizen consultation and dialogue. Thus, there are several untapped opportunities for knowledge integration, which tourism managers may use when expanding collaboration across borders. The paper contributes to the understanding, conceptualization and development of inclusive tourism and place branding, as well as it gives managerial directions on why and how organizations, groups and individuals should participate.

Subject headings

HUMANIORA  -- Konst -- Design (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- Arts -- Design (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Ekonomi och näringsliv -- Företagsekonomi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Economics and Business -- Business Administration (hsv//eng)

Keyword

inclusive tourism

inclusive place branding

tourism management

knowledge integration

representation

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

kon (subject category)