Rhodri Thomas

Leeds Beckett University, UK

This presentation explores aspects of the conference theme from the prospective contribution of universities to innovation in local or regional cultural tourism. It begins by reviewing what is understood about the dynamics of innovation and the role external knowledge plays in commercial, non-commercial and policy innovation processes in tourism. It then considers knowledge production undertaken by universities and examines the contribution institutions might make to innovation in cultural tourism, events and festivals. Although a critical perspective is taken, the presentation also considers how the challenges to collaboration might be overcome.

Key words: Inovation, Knowledge, Collaboration, Creativity

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