Development of tourism destinations: An Integrated Multilevel Perspective

Research on destination development is fragmented. Some studies focus primarily on one or a few selected areas of destination development, paying limited attention to multilevel issues and theoretical integration, while others take a more holistic, phenomena-driven view, making theoretical delimitation difficult. We lack theoretical approaches to guide us in the question of how destinations can be developed from an integrated multilevel perspective. We mitigate this challenge by developing a theoretical framework highlighting three specific areas impacting destination development. These are: destination capabilities, coordination at the destination level, and inter-destination bridge ties. The three areas will each have a direct impact on destination development, and furthermore, the areas are interrelated and thereby impact destination development indirectly.

Research highlights
► The study develops a theoretical framework for tourism destination development.
► The theoretical framework addresses integrated and multilevel strategies.
► Strategies at the levels of the firm, the destination and the regional area.
► Three major parts: capabilities, coordination, and inter-destination bridge ties.
► New insight into the complexity of issues impacting destination strategies.