The Tyrolean Sustainable Tourism Observatory (TYSTO) systematically monitors and supports the sustainable development of tourism in Tyrol. As a member of the International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO), TYSTO connects Tyrol to a global platform for knowledge exchange, enabling alignment with international sustainability standards and best practices.

TYSTO collects and analyses data across the INSTO-defined key issue areas, as well as additional areas relevant to sustainable tourism development in Tyrol. Working closely with regional stakeholders, including the Province of Tyrol, Tirol Werbung, the Federation of Tyrolean Tourism Associations, the Tyrolean Economic Chamber, and other partners, TYSTO provides an evidence-based foundation for responsible tourism planning and decision-making tailored to Tyrol’s alpine context.

TYSTO’s monitoring system tracks sustainability across thirteen key issue areas, covering environmental, social, and economic dimensions, as well as governance. The observatory thereby supports the implementation of Tyrol's tourism strategy, The Tyrolean Way – Perspectives for the responsible development of tourism, where sustainability is one of the central guiding elements and multidimensional success measurement is embedded directly into the region’s tourism strategy.

By providing transparent and accessible data, TYSTO empowers decision-makers to optimize resource use, strengthen climate action, preserve biodiversity, and enhance the quality of life for both residents and visitors. At the same time, it contributes Tyrol’s experience and insights to the global INSTO network, supporting the advancement of sustainable tourism worldwide.

The International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO) is a global initiative led by UN Tourism, dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism practices through data-driven decision-making. INSTO connects a network of destinations around the world that are committed to monitoring and managing the economic, environmental, and social impacts of tourism in a transparent and evidence-based way.

At the heart of INSTO’s approach is the monitoring of 11 key issue areas that encompass the full spectrum of sustainability in tourism, including environmental conservation, local community well-being, and economic resilience. These mandatory issue areas are Tourism Seasonality, Employment, Destination Economic Benefits, Governance, Local Satisfaction, Energy Management, Water Management, Solid Waste Management, Accessibility, and Climate Action. While INSTO sets the framework of these issue areas, it allows each participating observatory the flexibility to choose the specific key performance indicators (KPIs) they measure. This enables destinations to tailor their sustainability monitoring to local needs and priorities, ensuring that data collected is relevant and actionable.

TYSTO is built on a participatory foundation that reflects the collaborative nature of tourism governance in Tyrol. The observatory works with a broad network of stakeholders across public administration, tourism, business, and civil society. This inclusive structure ensures that different perspectives are considered in the monitoring and development of key issue areas and indicators to measure sustainable tourism development.

The stakeholder structure consists of several interconnected levels. The core TYSTO team is responsible for the scientific coordination and implementation of the observatory. It includes representatives from MCI Tourism, which holds the scientific and conceptual lead, as well as the Government of Tyrol and the Federation of Tyrolean Tourism Associations. 

Core stakeholders such as the Tyrolean Tourism Associations, the Lebensraum Tirol Holding (especially Tirol Werbung), the Tyrolean Economic Chamber, the Tyrolean Chamber of Agriculture, the Tyrolean Specialist Group for Cable Cars, and the Tyrolean Alpine Club contribute sector-specific expertise and support the observatory’s work through ongoing input and exchange. In addition, associated partners from sectors such as accommodation, gastronomy, environmental protection, transport, and leisure contribute relevant data and insights.

TYSTO regularly holds workshops with key stakeholders to ensure a participatory approach, offering a collaborative space for engagement. These workshops are designed to collectively define the sustainability areas to be monitored, review and interpret data findings, identify data needs and sources, and agree on meaningful indicators. Additionally, they facilitate the clarification of roles and responsibilities while coordinating the implementation of planned activities. By aligning with the guidelines of the International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO), these workshops foster an ongoing process of consultation and cooperation, which enhances transparency, supports evidence-based decision-making, and strengthens shared ownership of sustainability goals within Tyrol’s tourism sector.