Assessing Austria’s climate and energy model regions (KEM): a logic model evaluation of sustainability and destination competitiveness

Purpose Tourism destinations must transition toward climate neutrality without eroding long-term competitiveness. By treating destination competitiveness as an outcome of sustainability transitions, where environmental, social and governance improvements generate competitive advantages through cost resilience, market differentiation and credible sustainability signaling, this study aims to examine Austria’s Climate and Energy Model Regions (KEM) program across two tourism-intensive areas. A logic model framework (inputs–activities–outputs–outcomes–impacts) analyzes how program design and collaborative governance contribute to sustainability results and destination-level competitiveness. Design/methodology/approach The authors adopt a qualitative case-study approach for program evaluation. Twenty-five semi-structured interviews with KEM stakeholders were analyzed through thematic analysis. Triangulation with program documents and project records was used where available. The study maps KEM outputs, outcomes and impacts to international sustainability and competitiveness frameworks. Findings KEM inputs (e.g. national co-funding, dedicated regional staff, program toolkits) enable activities (e.g. stakeholder engagement, energy audits, procurement support, training) that produce tangible outputs (e.g. PV installations, eco-certifications) that yield relevant outcomes and impacts for destinations. Outcomes are reduced energy cost exposure, emissions reductions, improved accessibility and stronger resident–business alignment. Impacts include clearer sustainability branding, greater resilience to energy shocks, cultural conservation and increased community well-being. Originality/value The paper advances the sustainability–competitiveness nexus by offering a logic model-based assessment of a national climate–energy program’s destination-level implications. By deriving destination-level operational indicators from the competitiveness literature and validating them through triangulated qualitative evidence, the study offers a transferable monitoring template that operationalizes the sustainability–competitiveness nexus for other destinations undergoing sustainability transitions.