The critical success factors for tourism routes development: A systematic review

Abstract

Tourism routes are partnerships between stakeholders to develop a common tourist product. Limited research exists on factors influencing their overall success, that is, the critical success factors (CSFs). Thus, this systematic review applies the PRISMA protocol with the aim of identifying and discussing these CSFs by addressing the question: ‘Which are the CSFs for tourism routes development?’. The review encompasses 174 studies on tourism routes, published in English, Spanish, and Portuguese languages until October 2022, in the SCOPUS and Web of Science databases. Most of the studied routes are in Europe and focused on the theme of food and drinks at a regional level. Their CSFs are discussed across the categories of Resources, Governance, Activities, and Performance assessment. The results highlight the importance of networking for the long-term success of tourism routes and the need for further research, particularly on issues of governance and performance assessment. This review provides theoretical contributions by identifying CSFs of tourism routes and offers practical suggestions for their establishment and enhancement.