Towards a common agenda for the development of industrial tourism

Abstract

Building on case studies of four European regions this article discusses and tests the empirical applicability of a common agenda for the development of industrial tourism. It analyses the conditions under which visits to operational firms fit in the strategies of both public and private entities. Relevant factors explaining actors' willingness to cooperate are 1) the characteristics of the visitor flow, 2) co-branding and the image fit and 3) the potential of industrial tourism products. The case studies provide several insights on how to reach consensus on these factors.