Regional Innovation Systems: The Case of Angling Tourism

For more than two decades, the ‘innovation systems approach’ has been a favoured framework for micro-economic research in new institutional economics in many Western countries. The concept allows for a better understanding of the complex driving forces and mechanisms that mediate the conditions, the extent and the outcomes of innovative behaviour. However, the ideas behind ‘national’, ‘regional’ and ‘sectoral’ innovation systems remain to be tested in tourism.

With environmental protection and tourism development as objectives, the Sea Trout Funen initiative started in 1989 as a collaboration between the county council, the Anglers’ Association, tourism businesses and a hatching plant. The activities merit the label ‘tourism innovation system’, first, because there are stable relations between a large number of actors from the public, voluntary and business sectors with intermittent links to educational institutions. Secondly, the relationship has proven to be mutually beneficial and synergetic. Thirdly, examples are found of consequential innovations in terms of products and services for tourists, in terms of environmental protection and development methods and in terms of the development of human resources. Fourthly, the innovation system has been able to benefit distinctly and positively from external opportunities, such as new regulations.