Tourism

Management & Society

Applied research at MCI Tourism is concerned with economic problems and issues in the context of (family) businesses, destinations and customers, with a special focus on Alpine tourism. Based on the three levels of consideration of company, destination and customer, detailed research topics can be defined in terms of interdisciplinary areas.

Prof. Mag. Hubert J. SillerHead of Department & Studies

If you have any questions regarding this research area, please contact us:
tourism@mci.edu

Destination Management

What are the key success factors for the competitiveness of a destination? How can the success of destinations be measured?

Sustainable Tourism Development

What is meant by sustainable tourism & regional development? What common challenges and opportunities connect living and recreational areas?

Entrepreneurship & Family Business

What are the biggest challenges for family-owned tourism businesses in the future? What does the optimal business succession process look like?

Consumer behavior & Trends

What will the guest of tomorrow look like? Which trends have a significant influence on the guest's behavior?

Outdoor & Winter Sports

What is the importance of outdoor & winter sports in the alpine region? What are the biggest challenges for the future of winter sports?

Further research areas

Team

Prof. Mag. Hubert J. SillerHead of Department & Studies

Jannes Bayer, MASenior Lecturer

+43 512 2070 - 3325

Prof. Dr. Birgit BosioTourism & Sustainability

+43 512 2070 - 3327

Prof. Dr. Christoph EnglBusiness Administration | Entrepreneurship

+43 512 2070 - 3331

Denise Fecker, MScLecturer

+43 512 2070 - 3343

Asst. Prof. Dr. Stefanie HaselwanterStrategic Management in Tourism

+43 512 2070 - 3342

Theresa Mitterer-Leitner, MALeave of Absence

+43 512 2070 - 3326

Monica Nadegger, PhDSenior Researcher

+43 512 2070 - 3341

Prof. MMag. Raphaela Stadler, PhDBusiness Administration | Tourism & Eventmanagement

+43 512 2070 - 3332

Janosch Untersteiner, BA MATeaching & Research Assistant

+43 512 2070 - 3322

Asst. Prof. Philipp Wegerer, PhDLeave of Absence

+43 512 2070 - 3328

Laura Marie Wittkopp, MAEntrepreneurship, Tourism & Leisure Business

+43 512 2070 - 3323laura.wittkopp@mci.edu

Prof. Priv.-Doz. MMag. Dr. Anita ZehrerHead of Family Business Center

+43 512 2070 - 7100

Projects

New Work im Tourismus - Nachhaltige Instrumente für wirksame Transformation der Arbeitswelt im Tourismus

Duration:
2025 - 2028

Description:

The Interreg Bavaria-Austria funded project "New Work in Tourism" develops and pilots innovative forms of work with the aim of strengthening tourism regions in the Alpine area as attractive places to work and live, while enhancing the future viability of the tourism sector. The project is led by the Faculty of Tourism at Munich University of Applied Sciences in close cooperation with partners from Bavaria and Austria. These include MCI Management Center Innsbruck (MCI Internationale Hochschule GmbH) as well as the regional tourism and development organizations Achensee Tourismus, Regionalentwicklung Oberland KU, and Regionalverband Oberpinzgau, bringing together academic expertise and practical perspectives. Challenges such as labour shortages, high workloads, and the growing demand for more flexible and meaningful working models are shaping the tourism and leisure industry. In this context, New Work serves as a unifying framework to create attractive working environments, to attract and retain employees, and to strengthen the participating tourism regions as desirable places to work and live. Between April 2025 and March 2028, the project aims to develop a practice-oriented New Work strategy and an action plan for tourism regions in the Bavarian-Austrian border area. Further objectives include the establishment of a digital knowledge platform on New Work, the training of New Work coaches, the strengthening of cross-border networks, and the development of a digital workation and coworkation database to attract new target groups to the Alpine region. A novel aspect of this project is the inclusion of both employer and service provider perspectives. Within a holistic New Work approach, the project addresses dimensions that have not yet been examined comprehensively at a strategic and conceptual level, nor implemented within the Interreg programme area.

Female Leadership - Frauen in der Wissenschaft am Beispiel des Tourismus

Duration:
2026 - 2027

Description:

The research project examines the persistent underrepresentation of women in leadership positions, particularly in academia, and analyzes the underlying structural, cultural, and institutional barriers. Despite numerous gender equality initiatives, gender inequalities persist, manifesting themselves in phenomena such as the "glass ceiling" and gender stereotypes. While men often benefit from the "glass staircase," women must continually prove their competence and overcome additional hurdles. In science and research in particular, traditional role models and a lack of mentoring act as major obstacles to women's career progression. The project emphasizes the relevance of diversity and inclusivity as essential resources for scientific innovation and social development. The aim is to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that hinder or promote female leadership in science and research.

Publications

Jepson A., Stadler, R., Garrod, B., & Page, S. (2026). Family holidays with autistic children: An exploratory study of parents’ emotion work due to service delivery failure. Tourism Management, 117, Article 105449. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2026.105449
Nadegger, M., & Bosio, B. (2026). Snow-as-Luxury: The Becoming of Luxury in Changing Relations in the Winter Tourism Industry. In A. Manfreda, F. Melissen, & C. Khoo (Eds.), Sustainable Luxury in Tourism and Hospitality. Channel View Publications.
Fecker, D. (2025). Peaks and passion: Examining the dynamics of workplace commitments among outdoor sport guides. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 52, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jort.2025.100975
Stadler, R., Fecker, D., & Huber, L. (2025). Co-branding alliances as an employer branding strategy. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, 8(11), 259-275. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTI-03-2025-0358
Nadegger, M., Rantala, O., & Varley, P. (2025). Skiing-with snow – exploring proximate ethnographies. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2025.2539289
Fecker, D., Bosio, B. & Ziwes, A. (2025). Sustainable Skiing – How do locals and tourists perceive sustainable development of ski tourism? 2025 TTRA International Conference Proceedings. https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14394/57295
Fecker, D. (2025). Exploring the Motives and Workplace Commitments of Seasonal Workers in the Alpine Hospitality Industry: A Cluster Analysis. 2025 TTRA International Conference Proceedings. https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14394/57283
Stadler, R., Bosio, B., & Loderer, M. (2025). Listen to your destination: The Use of Podcasts in Destination Marketing. Journal of Destination Marketing and Management, 37, Article 101022.
Siller, H. J., & Haselwanter, S. (2025). Leadership. In J. Schmude, T. Freytag, & M. Bandi Tanner (Hrsg.), Tourismusforschung: Handbuch für Wissenschaft und Praxis (S. 517–525). Nomos.
Haselwanter, S. (2025). Entrepreneurial Leadership im räumlichen Handlungskontext: Charakterisierung von entrepreneurial Leadern als Akteure in touristisch-sozialen Feldern. Springer.
Fecker, D., Mitterer-Leitner, T., Bosio, B., & Siller, H. (2025). How much is too much? Tourism intensity and the role of social carrying capacity in tourism development. Tourism Planning & Development, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/21568316.2025.2476585
Nadegger, M. & Wegerer, P.K. (2024). Rhythms of repetition and disturbance: Reimagining business-as-usual in the Antropocene. Organization (online first). http://doi.org/10.1177/13505084241303098
Obermair, M., & Nadegger, M. (2024). Eine queer-intersektionale Perspektive in der Tourismusforschung als Tool für emanzipative Kritik. In M. Langer, R. Roth, J. Schmude, & H. Siller (Eds.), Schriften zu Tourismus und Freizeit. Zukunftsfähige Tourismusentwicklung: Neue Perspektiven für Politik und Praxis (pp. 159–172). Erich Schmidt Verlag.
Fecker, D., & Preusser, I. (2024). Temporäre Arbeit mit Leidenschaft – eine empirische Studie zu Mitarbeiterbindung im Tiroler Tourismus anhand von Schneesportlehrern. In C. Chang, M. A. Gardini, & S. Werther (Eds.), New Work, Leadership und Human Resources Management im Tourismus: Konzepte und Instrumente für ein sich verändernde Arbeitswelt (pp. 327–350). Springer Gabler. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-42932-4_23
Stadler, R. & Wegerer, P. (2024). Becoming, being… belonging? – Using collaborative autoethnography to explore community events and festivals. In A. Jepson, R. Stadler, & T. Walters (Eds.), Reimagining Community Festivals and Events: Critical and Interdisciplinary Perspectives (pp. 183-203). Routledge.
Jepson, A., Stadler, R., & Walters, T. (Eds., 2024). Reimagining Community Festivals and Events – Critical and Interdisciplinary Perspectives, Routledge
Jepson A., Stadler, R., & Garrod, B. (2024). Tourism and Neurodiversity: A Problematisation and Research Agenda, Current Issues in Tourism, 27(4), 546-566.
Hallmann, K., & Zehrer, A. (2024). Interrelationships of landscapes, sportscapes and sport experiences in destinations. Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality and Tourism, 24(1), 67-85. https://doi.org/10.1080/15022250.2023.2202644
Fecker, D., Zehrer, A., Raich, F. (2023). Crossroads of dedication: Assessing the synergy between organisational and destination commitment. Current Issues in Tourism, 28(1), 99-112. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2023.2298336.
Nadegger, M. (2023). Reassembling more-than-human sustainability: Relations with snow. Annals of Tourism Research, 101, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2023.103613
Fecker, D., Raich, F., Zehrer, A., Siller, H. (2023). Mitarbeitenden-Commitment im Tourismus. Tourismus Wissen quarterly, 33, 65-70.
Volo, S. & Wegerer, P.K. (2023). Assemblage theory in tourism. Annals of Tourism Research. 100, 103567.
Bosio, B., Fecker, D., Nadegger, M., & Schegg, R. (2023). Airbnb im ländlichen Raum - Eine länderübergreifende Analyse Tirol ‒ Wallis. In T. Bieger, P. Beritelli, & C. Laesser (Eds.), Alpiner Tourismus in disruptiven Zeiten. Schweizer Jahrbuch für Tourismus 2022/2023. (S. 57–72). Erich Schmidt Verlag.
Fecker, D., Nadegger, M., & Haselwanter, S. (2022). Physically Apart, Emotionally Close. In I. R. Management Association (Ed.), Research Anthology on Managing Crisis and Risk Communications (pp. 557–585). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-6684-7145-6.ch029
Bosio, B., Fecker, D., Nadegger, M., Haselwanter, S. (2022). Krisenkommunikation in Skigebieten. Eine länderübergreifende Social-Media-Analyse der COVID-19 Krise Schweiz – Österreich. In Bieger, T., Beritelli, P. & Laesser, C. (Hrsg.). Krisenbewältigung und digitale Innovationen im alpinen Tourismus. Schweizer Jahrbuch für Tourismus 2021/2022. Erich Schmidt Verlag.
Fecker, D., Bosio, B., Nadegger, M., & Haselwanter, S. (2021). Skiing during the pandemic with masks and tests. How Austrian ski resorts cope with the COVID-19 crisis on Instagram. Zeitschrift für Tourismuswissenschaft, 13(3), 423-443.
Fecker, D., Nadegger, M. & Haselwanter, S. (2021). Physically Apart, Emotionally Close. How Family-Run Hotels Used Instagram During the COVID-19 Pandemic. In M. Korstanje, A. Zehrer, G. Glowka, K. M. Schwaiger & V. Ranacher-Lackner (Hg.), Advances in Hospitality, Tourism, and the Services Industry. Resiliency Models and Addressing Future Risks for Family Firms in the Tourism Industry (S. 207–241). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-7352-5.ch009
Bosio, B., & Fecker, D. (2021). Verändertes Reiseverhalten der Generation Z. Tourismuswissen Quarterly, 23, Jänner 2021.

Lectures

Sexl., F., Zehrer, A., Haselwanter, S. (2026). NextGen Tourism: Skills for Tourism and Succession. FIFU DACHLI. 12.-13. März 2026, Innsbruck, Österreich.
Fecker, D. (2025). Exploring the Motives and Workplace Commitments of Seasonal Workers in the Alpine Hospitality Industry: A Cluster Analysis. Paper presented at the TTRA (Travel and Tourism Research Association), June 23-26, 2025, Galway, Ireland.
Fecker, D., Bosio, B. & Ziwes, A. (2025). Sustainable Skiing – How do locals and tourists perceive sustainable development of ski tourism? Paper presented at the TTRA (Travel and Tourism Research Association), June 24-26, 2025, Galway, Ireland.
Wittkopp, L., Bosio, B., & Nadegger, M. (2025). Messung von Nachhaltigkeit auf Destinationsebene: TYROLEAN SUSTAINABLE TOURISM OBSERVATORY (TYSTO). 18. Forschungsforum der österreichischen Fachhochschulen : 7. - 8. Mai 2025.
Engl, C., Pauer, S. (2024). FEMBLE: Scaling a business as a female entrepreneur.
Stadler, R., Wegerer, P., & Nadegger, M. (2024, June 17-20). “I need to just keep running” - navigating the field in collaborative autoethnographic event research [Conference presentation]. Event Management Conference, Orlando, Florida, USA.
Preusser, I., Fecker, D. & Gehring, F. (2021). Mitarbeiterbindung bei temporären Arbeitsverhältnissen - Wie kann emotionale Verbundenheit auch bei befristeten Beschäftigungsverhältnissen gelingen? Eine empirische Studie zu den Einflussfaktoren des affektiven organisationalen Commitments. Herbstworkshop der WK Personal 2021. 16./17.09.2021, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf.

News

Tourism

ECSWE 2025

Department of Social Work contributes to productive exchange at international conference on Social Work Education

Tyrol and MCI Part of the Global UN Tourism Network

"TYSTO" is Austria's first member in the United Nations' Tourism Observatory Network

Creating Impact – becoming effective together

MCI at the 15th Research Forum of the Austrian Universities of Applied Sciences – FFH 2022