Critical success factors for tourism routes
Insights from route characteristics
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 19224985 |
|---|---|
| Authors | André Pedrosa (0000-0002-0981-9253, University of Aveiro, corresponding author), Filomena Martins (0000-0002-6874-6445, University of Aveiro), Zélia Breda (0000-0002-5882-063X, University of Aveiro), Rubén Camilo Lois González (0000-0003-4717-1061, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela), Rubén Lois González (Universidade de Santiago de Compostela), António Pedro Costa (0000-0002-4644-5879, University of Aveiro) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 24 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 1-22 |
| Publication date | 2026-05-10 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1476-6825 • E-ISSN: 1747-7654 |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/14766825.2026.2669169 |
| OpenAlex | W7160761410 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 40 |
Tourism routes, understood as formal stakeholder networks connected through shared products and objectives, have become central to destination development and heritage valorisation. However, routes vary considerably in their products, organisational structures, territorial scope, memberships, and goals, raising questions about how these characteristics influence their success. This study examines how route characteristics shape critical success factors (CSF) through five European examples. Semi-structured interviews with 31 key participants, supported by document analysis, were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The findings show that structure, territory, and goals exert the strongest influence on CSF. Regionally operated routes place greater emphasis on personnel characteristics, while network-based routes prioritise product value. Clearly defined goals have a substantial impact on route activities and performance assessment. The study develops exploratory hypotheses and identifies directions for future research on tourism route development.
Critical success factor · Success factors · Tourism · Tourism geography · Tourist industry · Diverse Aspects of Tourism Research · Urban Transport and Accessibility · Wine Industry and Tourism
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| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |