Fonte: Journal of Tourism & Development; v. 1, n. 13/14 (2010); 205-217
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Resumo: Regional and local tourism destinations’ management is achieving higher levels of importance. The change in destinations management and planning paradigms has been confirming the essential role of local tourism destinations in terms of policy and strategy implementation, as a central point of tourism impacts analysis and in visitors’ attraction. Increasing competitiveness among worldwide destinations demands creative and suitable strategies, in order that competitive advantages are assured. The main tourism competitive factors have been assessed and it was concluded that the existence of information collection and production regarding the industry and destinations sets as an important competitive advantage, as it allows the conception of more rigorous and informed management strategies. Therefore, local and regional Destination Management Organisations must monitor the industry in a systemic and systematic way, so that destinations can remain in a favourable position in global markets. Tourism Observatories play a central role in achieving these goals. This paper seeks to discuss how Regional Tourism Observatories can be structured, what should be its strategy and objectives and its intervention at a technical level. This way, its operations can come in line with the needs of information of tourism stakeholders and the Observatory can be positioned as an instrument supporting destinations and firms’ management process, enhancing their competitiveness.
