Tourism and innovation / C. Michael Hall and Allan M. Williams.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction : understanding innovation as the key to understanding changes in tourism -- Competition, innovation and productivity -- Knowledge, creativity and innovation -- Technology and tourism innovation -- The state and tourism innovation : institutions, policy, regulation and governance -- The regional innovation system : territorial learning, regions, cities and smart specialisation -- Firm organization and innovation -- Entrepreneurship, the market and innovation -- Entrepreneurship and innovation pathways -- Public good entrepreneurship and innovation : community, place, social entrepreneurship and innovation -- Conclusions : an innovative future for tourism.

"This ground-breaking volume on the relationships between tourism and innovation provides an overview of relevant innovation theories, and related literatures on entrepreneurship, productivity, regional development and competitiveness, and their significance to contemporary tourism practices. Innovation is a key concept in business and entrepreneurial studies and the broader social sciences. Yet, despite its policy and academic importance, historically little attention has been given to the role of innovation in tourism and the corresponding contribution of tourism-related human mobility to regional, firm and product innovation. This book highlights that innovation in tourism is much more than a series of technological innovations, as important as they are, and instead needs to be understood in an economic, social and political context with particular stress being placed on the extent to which innovations are shaped by the framework of governance and regulation, as well as by institutional factors and activities of individual actors and entrepreneurs. It is structured so as to introduce the reader to the overall significance of innovation, at various levels, and the role that innovation plays in firm and place competition. Supported with case studies throughout, this book is essential reading for all Tourism students"-- Provided by publisher.