Research

Organizational learning and sustainable tourism

The enabling role of digital transformation.

The digital transformation offers great opportunities for sustainable development in tourism. This study shows how tourism organizations can build, share and implement knowledge through targeted training and the use of digital technologies - for greater ecological, social and economic sustainability.

Publication: Sarah Schönherr, Robert Eller, Andreas Kallmuenzer & Mike Peters (2023)

A training course for managers strengthened digital know-how and sustainable thinking.

Guest guidance systems help to avoid overtourism.

Open data improves sustainable decisions.

Networks promote joint solutions in tourism.

Summary of this study

Organizations in tourism can become more sustainable through further development. Digital transformation - i.e. the use of modern technologies - also offers many opportunities to increase sustainability. This study examines how digital technologies can support learning within tourism organizations and thus contribute to sustainable development. The basis for this is the theory of organizational learning.

Approach

The researchers conducted 30 interviews with tourism organizations that had participated in a training program - the Executive Development Programme (EDP). This is a special training program for managers in the tourism industry. It ran for 3.5 years (2018-2021) and was funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG). The aim of the programme was to provide managers in tourism organizations (such as destination management organizations, tourism associations or consulting firms) with knowledge about digitalization and sustainable tourism development.

The results

The study shows that the EDP has promoted exchange and learning within the organizations. Digital technologies help to store and pass on this knowledge. The organizations also make targeted use of digital data to gain new insights. By implementing this knowledge, they have been able to develop measures that strengthen all three areas of sustainability: economic, environmental and social. In addition, new networks are emerging between organizations that are working together on sustainable solutions.

Value of the study

The study shows how digital learning and new technologies can contribute to more sustainable tourism. For example, it shows how tourism organizations can use digital tools to direct visitor flows, promote environmentally friendly mobility or implement online campaigns for environmental protection. The study thus provides practical ideas for sustainable tourism development and political decisions in the tourism sector.

Findings from this study

EDP programs promote digital know-how and sustainable thinking in tourism businesses.
Digital tools such as guest guidance systems help to avoid overtourism.
Knowledge exchange in networks (DMOs, STOs, SMEs) drives sustainable innovation.
Data management (e.g. open data platforms) improves decision-making processes.
Digital training promotes ecological, social and economic sustainability.