Table 1.

Examples of marketing research for reframing impact

Marketing researchSample sizeKey findingsReframing impact
Literature reviewSample of key words searched: sustainability; sustainable tourism; climate change; consumer changes; tourism trends; digital advancements; impact of COVID-19 (tourism and consumer trends)Nine global-to-local sustainable tourism mega trend – growing consumer awareness of climate change urgency; increasing interest in sustainability in tourism; evolving consumer demand; slow tourism; landscape and nature; transport infrastructure and innovation; digitisation; COVID-19; and healthy world, healthy IrelandEconomic, cultural, social impact
Business case development around regenerative tourism, slow/eco-tourism, sustainable tourism, sustainability, biodiversity, wildlife, wild animal framing, landscapes of hope. Regional regeneration
Literature reviewSample of key words searched: just transition initiatives, scaling, innovation, green business, low-carbon technologiesEmergence of carbon positive incubators and accelerators; governance modelsEconomic impact
Accelerate Green
Feasibility studyAreas assessed:
-Market segment analysis
-Market size
-Competitive analysis
-Pricing
-USP
Confirmed the viability of People’s Discovery Attraction; uncovered the emergence of Climate Houses; identified potential for 250,000 visitors from five key segments; USP – future focus, regenerationEconomic, social, cultural, ecological, technology, educational impact
USP future focus, regeneration, catchment, 4 million, 45 permanent employees; €8m revenue; €12m regional economy multiplier effect. Purpose-led social enterprise
Concept testing
Survey-administered online to test two concepts
Global gold standard metrics
Key metric – The intention to consider index (ICI)
N = 950 tourists across six markets (Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, USA, Germany, France)Future-oriented, encountering wonder, awe, beauty and power of nature. Concepts performed strongly regarding relevance, appeal, excitement and surprisingEcological, cultural/social, educational impact
Positive impact with tourism board on demonstrating a concept that can make these remote landscapes of the area appealing, which had failed before
Social listening50,000 social media posting across platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, etcSocialisation trends and patterns of domestic and international visitors identifiedCultural/social impact
Topic awareness and sentiment towards sustainable visitor attractions among domestic and international visitors scoped out
In-depth stakeholder interviewsN = 319 relevant experts from sustainable tourism, renewable energy, food production, planning, landscaping and local government, other attractions funders, local and national politicians and state agenciesAppetite and opportunity for a year-round nature-based indoor large-scale experienceEconomic, ecological, technology impact
Contributed to the development of concept and business case; potential funders identified; climate action and sustainability discussion initiated and continuing; networking/support relationships established (co-creation)
Town hall collective intelligence community workshopsn = 45 (20 local community groups)101 barriers, 100 drivers and 132 priorities identifiedEconomic, cultural, technology impact
Focus on climate solutions in energy, food, transport, waste management
Do not focus on culture/heritage – over serviced
Site assessment22 initial sites >200 hectaresShort list of three final site candidates; Deep peat for Spag moss centralEcological, educational impact
Enhanced rehabilitation activated; best practice site selection criteria implemented; site profiling helped with spag inoculation decisions
Focus group project staffN = 2625 barriers, 22 enablers and 23 solutions, 104 prioritiesEconomic, ecological impact
Contributed to the development of concept and business case
Value network analysisN = 14 (consortium organisations)Tangible and intangible exchanges and networkingPartnership impact
Emergence of new shared values
Source: Authors’ own work

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