Tourism Governments and Solidarity: Can Destination Management Organizations be involved in a refugee crisis while exploiting their digital capabilities?

Abstract

This poster proposes an exploratory research project on the role of Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) in the ongoing European refugee crisis. It will examine if tourism governments play as a coordinating body for tourism bottom-up refugee solidarity initiatives. It will assess if and how DMOs use their digital capabilities for the refugees’ need and their better inclusion into society. This research proposes to look at refugees as a new stakeholder for tourism governments; a new needed management role for a DMO in times of crisis; and possible repurposing existing digital tools for the needs of the refugees. This project will contribute to the ongoing discourse on the needed refugees’ integration and the design of refugee management applications.