Innovative Policymaking to Strengthen and Facilitate New Businesses in Tourism Destinations A Case Study of Shemiranat County, Tehran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD student in Tourism, Kish International Campus, University of Tehran

2 Associate Professor, Faculty of World Science Studies, University of Tehran

3 Associate Professor, Faculty of Management, University of Tehran

Abstract

Accelerating innovation and growth of new businesses (start-ups, digital businesses, and the experience economy) requires new policy approaches that simultaneously consider technology, institutions, and stakeholder networks in tourism destinations. This article provides a framework for designing and implementing policies to support new businesses. The research method is qualitative and based on case studies and actor network analysis; data were collected from document review, semi-structured interviews with experts, and local document analysis, and 19 questions were extracted. Then, to answer the written questions, a focus group of 15 tourism professionals with academic experience and expert knowledge in the fields of innovative policymaking, new businesses, and tourism was used, using a semi-structured interview method. The findings show that three categories of barriers are structural (traditional rules and practices), institutional (conflict of roles and scattered institutions), and technological (lack of infrastructure and data-centricity). They are the main obstacles to the development of new businesses. Accordingly, a policy package consisting of four strategic axes (creating digital and data-centric infrastructure; redesigning the governance structure and network institutionalization; empowering actors and developing human capacity; and designing financial and institutional tools to support innovation) is presented. The paper develops an implementation roadmap and monitoring indicators so that local and national policymakers can manage the systematic transition to the new business ecosystem.

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