Gamification as a Research Strategy to Promote Sustainable Urban Tourism

Abstract

This study addresses the methodological avenues of a Ph.D. research aimed at exploring the potentials of gamification to promote sustainable urban tourism destinations. For that purpose, the thesis exposes an hybrid methodological strategy includes elements of experimental design divided into five research phases, of which the development of a gamified app prototype was a crucial part. Preliminary results indicate the benefits and constraints of using gamification as a valuable tool to promote pro-environmental behaviour and enhance sustainable practices at urban tourism destinations. Furthermore, the study reflects on the innovative methods that can contribute to a diversified methodological discussion in tourism management research. The present research is therefore intended to make contributions to the literature on a better understanding of the methodologies used in the scope of gamification and sustainable tourism. At the same time, it provides methodological insights into ways of using gamification as an essential part of the tourism research strategy.