Policy Study on X-Nordic Tourism Innovation

Based on a review of more than 40 national policy papers and reports and 26 interviews with experts and stakeholders in the field, this research paper finds a rich potential for cross-Nordic collaboration and relation-building within travel and tourism innovation. Not only is travel and tourism an industry on the move with considerable technological change and substantial expectations when it comes to future growth. It is also a sector characterised by significant negative impacts on the climate, the environment and the local communities where it takes place. Nevertheless, the paper finds that today’s travel tech community in the Nordics is rather fragmented, with weak relationships between the national clusters and programmes. In addition, the travel tech communities do not enjoy the same visibility and capitalisation as other tech communities in areas such as fintech, GreenTech or MedTech. In conclusion, the paper points to the need for long-term programming for Nordic collaboration in tourism innovation as a driver for growth and a more sustainable future of tourism in the Nordics.