INNOVATUR: IO4 – Analysis of collaborative approach between higher education institutions in the Czech Republic and in Norway with other stakeholders in the context of sustainable and smart tourism

This publication will present an analysis of the current situation of tourism sector in the Czech Republic and in Norway in relation to sustainability principles and application of smart technologies and subsequently will recommend means of collaboration between higher education institutions and other relevant stakeholders (e.g. government agencies, private companies, heritage sites, among others) for the overall improvement of the sector. A discussion on how the materials published in the earlier stages of the project can benefit other stakeholders (beyond the students of HEIs) will be explored. This report will be very welcomed among external stakeholders when both universities will organize the dissemination events (multiplier events) in the end of the project.

The European Union is demanding by means of their funding schemes and programs a behavioral change of academic mind-set by fostering new functions and roles of higher education institutions in the development of sustainable and smart tourism development. New functions pivot on value-adding to the social, environmental and economic sustainability of communities – or in tourism parlance – destinations. There are successful examples available in Europe in this context that can be inspiring for both universities involved in this project.

Among the topics to be addressed by this report there are some that deserve to be highlighted such as:

• The proposal of a framework to support the community-based tourism sector (CBT): CBT is one type of alternative tourism that  includes  community  participation  as  the  main  element  in  tourism  in  order  to achieve  the  goal  of  sustainable  tourism  development. Community-based tourism is now as an alternative to being able to provide community welfare and community empowerment towards sustainable tourism. Once the importance of community participation in village development becomes a sustainable tourism destination, it has encouraged Community Based Tourism (CBT).
• The provision of definitions and suggestion of elements of an analytical framework for inclusive tourism, by clarifying where inclusive tourism sits in relation to other terms that engage with the social and economic development potentials of tourism. In the light of growing inequality globally, it is important to consider how to make tourism, one of the world’s largest industries, more inclusive. This concern is set in the context of, first, the growing use of tourism as a tool for social integration in Europe.
• A framework for Smart Destination and Technology Driven Tourism for Sustainable Development by promoting the use of information and communication technologies to develop the strength of a destination to fulfill its own objectives by providing quick acknowledgement to the needs of tourists, tourism firms and the government.

This publication will be destined to the academic staff members of higher education and to external stakeholders engaged in the field of tourism.

Expected impact and transferability potential:

This report will be elaborated to serve as a valuable guideline for the academic staff of universities involved in the education and research in the field of tourism. It will provide insights on how academia can take a proactive role in the improvement of the tourism sector through a better understanding of the main needs and challenges in terms of development of knowledge and skills of higher education students who will later become more capable professionals to tackle these challenges.

Representatives of various stakeholder groups in the tourism sector will also be benefited from this report and will also be encouraged later to follow the e-learning content that will be implemented related to the thematic areas addressed in this report.