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Free University of Bozen-Bolzano

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Tourism, Marketing and Regional Development

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Coordinator

Federico Boffa

Members

Carlo GallierClaudia CozzioOswin Maurer, Linda Osti, Günter Schamel, Isabel Marie Schäufele-ElbersSerena VoloThomas BauschMassimo Morellato

Description

Tourism is key sector for the South Tyrolean economy and its neighbouring regions. Considering its direct and indirect effects, it accounts for about 12% of the total value added in the local economy. The sector is a major source of revenues and employment and it contributes to the sustainable development of the region. Given this strategic importance, research into the economics and managerial aspects of tourism, on its social micro-foundations (e.g. demography, family-based businesses, community involvement), on its impact on regional development and sustainable economic growth represents a core competence of the faculty. Cluster members adopt a multidisciplinary approach so that tourism, marketing and regional development issues are not only analyzed from a pure management perspective, but also from a socio economic, micro- and macroeconomic, planning and legal perspective. Research efforts of the cluster members are built along two dimensions:

Fundamental research (development/refinement of theory and methods)

including areas such as self-image congruity theory; quality of life measurement; survey methods; meta-analysis; social network analysis; theories of internationalization and competitiveness; analysis of market entry barriers; economic modelling of the impacts of tourism on regional income, growth and welfare; tourism related policy analysis; interactions between tourists and residents; hedonic models, micro-econometric models of tourism demand and consumer decision making; segmentation techniques; regional development models.

Applied research (with regional and international relevance)

including applications such as effects 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; sport- and event tourism; tourism and events as experience; management and economics of heritage tourism; wine and gourmet tourism, regional food economy and tourism; economics of cultural attractions; tourism dependent economies; indicators of tourism activity; tourism statistics; authenticity and quality of cultural products and attractions; rural development and landscape; cooperative approach and innovation of sustainable regional development; local policy support for positive externalities; identification and analysis of key drivers for regional development related to sustainability, cooperation and innovation.