A Comparative Analysis of Tourism Observatories within the INSTO Network: Insights into Regional Approaches to Sustainability, Methodology, Stakeholder Engagement, and Technological Innovation

This paper provides a comparative evaluation of tourism observatories within the International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO), focusing on regional approaches to sustainability, methodology and data focus, stakeholder engagement, and technological innovation. Using a structured and dynamic framework, qualitative data from observatory websites are quantified via Natural Language Processing (NLP) models, enabling a consistent and adaptable method for analysis. By examining observatories across continents, this study highlights how different regions prioritize various aspects of sustainable tourism, including social, economic, and environmental dimensions. The analysis further explores contrasts between Coastal/Island and Mainland observatories, revealing distinct management practices aligned with geographical and environmental contexts. This approach not only contributes to a deeper understanding of regional sustainability strategies but also offers a scalable framework for continuous, real-time monitoring and adaptation of tourism observatory practices. Keywords: Monitoring Sustainable Tourism, INSTO Network, Tourism Innovation, Tourism Observatories, Destination Management.