The role of Destination Management Organizations in exploiting global opportunities of tourism destinations

The aim of this chapter is to study the cooperation between Destination Management Organizations and hospitality stakeholders. The following research questions are addressed in this research: 1. What is the stakeholders’ attitude toward cooperation with DMOs in a new destination and in a mass-tourism destination? 2. In DMOs’ perspective, what are the most effective strategies to foster cooperation within the destination? 3. What is the level of commitment of hospitality stakeholders with respect to cooperation with DMOs? In order to discuss these points we provide an analysis of two Italian destinations. Specifically we examine an established mass-tourism destination and a new destination. By investigating this relationship we also analyze how cooperation has developed during the years within two destinations, and if actually hospitality stakeholders are interested in cooperating with DMOs, in achieving the destinations’ common goals.