What should tourism observatories be doing? Identifying key success drivers

Purpose The purpose of this research is to carry out an analysis of the key factors that influence the performance of tourism observatories, understanding performance as the degree of fulfilment of its objectives. Design/methodology/approach Using a qualitative research approach, this study conducted in-depth interviews with 16 international experts from diverse backgrounds and different countries. This was complemented by a thorough literature review to validate experts’ insights. Findings Interviews identify 15 success factors supported by literature on evidence-based decision-making from both tourism and other related fields. Results underscore the significance of effective knowledge communication, adopting a user-oriented approach, and proactive stakeholder engagement as the three main factors improving observatory performance. Research limitations/implications While the findings offer insights, they are based on expert opinions and may not fully capture the complex, context-specific dynamics of tourism observatories across different destinations. Further research could involve case studies to explore these dynamics contextualised in tourism destinations. Practical implications This study offers guidance for both existing and emerging tourism observatories to enhance operational efficiency. Focusing on improving these critical factors could prevent failure, and, conversely, increase the observatorys’ effectiveness and usefulness for destination stakeholders. Originality/value The analysis of tourism observatories has not received enough attention in previous tourism literature. This research fills a significant gap in understanding how observatories can better serve as instrumental tools for sustainable tourism management and stakeholders decision-making.