Third International Conference on Tourism & Leisure Studies

Abstract

Innovative hotels have been shown to outperform their less innovative competitors because of their ability to provide differentiated services that are more valued by consumers. While product, process, organizational/managerial, and market innovations are the most common types of innovations in hospitality, institutional innovations are also important to consider in terms of the practical development of competitive advantage. This research deepens the understanding of institutional innovations by exploring how heritage-related innovations might support a competitive advantage within the hospitality sector. In an attempt to add to the extant body of knowledge on the topic, this research explores the power that a relatively new and growing form of accommodation in Italy called “Albergo Diffuso” (meaning “distributed hotel” in English), has in describing innovation through heritage. The empirical analysis employs a mixed method (including desk analysis, direct interviews, and local site visits) to triangulate key findings and better comprehend the Albergo Diffuso concept as an example of institutional innovation. In hospitality (and in tourism, more generally) the ability to innovate is germane to competitive advantage and perhaps even survival in certain environments. This research will introduce challenges linked to heritage-based strategies that improve the ability of tourism firms to innovate.