Open AccessThe effects of formal networks on territorial tourism offers. Current usage of network contracts in Italy
Author(s) -
Selena Aureli,
Fabio Forlani
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
european journal of tourism research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.467
H-Index - 16
eISSN - 1314-0817
pISSN - 1994-7658
DOI - 10.54055/ejtr.v10i.180
Subject(s) - tourism , business , preference , marketing , regional science , qualitative property , industrial organization , economic geography , knowledge management , political science , economics , computer science , geography , microeconomics , machine learning , law
This study aims to understand the benefits contractual inter-firm networks offer to existing territorial tourism systems in Italy. Preference has been given to a qualitative approach. Data collection was based on document analysis (i.e. information reported in written contracts as well as text and images published on web sites) and in-depth semi-structured interviews. Results indicate that usage of a relatively new legal mechanism (the network contract) designed to form stable inter-organisational networks is increasing in the tourism sector. These networks help promote existing territorial tourism systems in different ways and to different extents. In some cases, alliances create and promote a tourism proposal that enhances the territorial offer, while in other situations alliances succeed in identifying and communicating a specific territorial area previously left unmanaged.