Knowledge and synergy as drivers of regional innovation in tourism: the case of the Tourism Observatory of the Federal District, Brazil

Abstract Tourism is the place for innovation. The reason for this pragmatic sentence comes from the multiplicity of competitive scenarios that contextualize companies and tourism destinations. From the current paradigms of competitiveness, satisfaction and loyalty of tourists, and the offer of value experiences, it is noticed a panoply of innovations that perform a strategic role on managing tourism destinations. In this sense, this article aims to conduct a discussion about regional innovation on tourism with emphasis on synergy and shared knowledge among stakeholders involved with tourism activities. The methodology employed consists of literature review about innovation in tourism and regional innovation in tourism and it is also used the qualitative research approach at a case study which addresses the implementation of the Tourism Observatory of the Federal District (Brazil), as practice-based governance in that region. The results show that the participation of public sector and educational institutions, as well as the cooperation between stakeholders involved within this governance design, were key drivers for creating an innovative platform for the tourism management at the destination.