Tourism, Marketing and Regional Development
Scientific coordinator:
Oswin Maurer
Members:
Federico Boffa,
Stefano Castriota,
Ralf Luefter,
Linda Osti,
Oksana Tokarchuk,
Guenter Schamel,
Stefan Schubert,
Teresio Poggio,
Serena Volo,
Tourism is one of the most important economic sectors in South Tyrol, as well as in neighbouring countries. Considering the direct and indirect effects of tourism, it accounts for 12,4% of the value added in South Tyrol’s economy, second only to the Real Estate and Leasing (12.5%). Hence, tourism is one of the major sources of economic revenue and employment in the region, contributing to sustainable regional development. Given this importance, research into the economics and managerial aspects of tourism, its social micro-foundations (demographic factors, family-based economy and businesses, community involvement), its impact on regional development and sustainable regional economic growth is one of the core research areas of the School. The research in this area adopts a multidisciplinary approach so that tourism, marketing and regional development are not only analysed exclusively from a management perspective, but also from a macro- /micro-economic , planning, and legal perspective. Past, present and future focus of the School’s research efforts in tourism, marketing, and regional development are built along two dimensions, hence constituting a priority research area:
- Fundamental research, theory development/refinement, method development
including, but not limited to, self-image congruity theory; eudaimonistic identity theory; quality of life measurement; survey methodology; meta-analysis; social network analysis; theories of internationalisation and competitiveness; analysis of market entry barriers; economic modelling of the impacts of tourism on regional income, growth and welfare and analysis of tourism related policies; interactions between tourists and residents; micro-econometric modelling of tourism demand and consumer decision making; segmentation techniques; development and/or adaptationof theoretical models of regional development in a South Tyrolean context.
- Applied Research (applications of regional and international relevance)
including, but not limited to, consequences of demographic change for tourism and regional development; significance and implications of changes in tourists’ mobility patterns; explaining loyalty among tourists; social marketing strategies for tourism; effects of second homes on regions; gourmet-, sport- and event tourism; tourism and events as experience; management and economics of heritage tourism; wine and food economics in regional settings; legal aspects related to tourism, sports, and events; economics of cultural attractions; tourism and event demand modelling; modelling of tourism dependent economies; indicators of tourism activity; tourism statistics; authenticity and quality of cultural products and attractions; rural development and landscape; analysis of cooperative approaches with regard to synergies and innovation processes; opportunity analysis of pathways of sustainable development of regional economies; analysis and modelling of local policies to support positive externalities; empirical identification and analysis of key drivers of regional development related to sustainability, cooperation and innovation.