The monitoring framework is based on the eleven mandatory key issue areas defined by UN Tourism’s INSTO network. To address the specific priorities of sustainable tourism development in Tyrol, TYSTO has added two additional areas: Culture, reflecting Tyrol’s strong cultural identity, and Regionality, emphasizing the importance of regional value creation and sustainable local supply chains.
TYSTO’s monitoring framework follows a holistic approach that recognizes the interdependence of all dimensions of sustainability. The key issue areas provide a structured view of sustainable tourism development in Tyrol, but they are not considered in isolation. Each field contributes to a comprehensive understanding of sustainability by reflecting overlapping aspects and interlinkages between topics. For instance, indicators related to “Regionality” and “Culture” both offer insights into regional value creation, community identity, and local authenticity. Likewise, governance and social aspects influence and are influenced by economic and environmental outcomes. By taking an integrated perspective, TYSTO contributes to understanding sustainability in Tyrol’s tourism sector as a dynamic and interconnected process and supports efforts to balance economic vitality, ecological responsibility, and social wellbeing.
Data Collection Process
TYSTO collects data through a combination of regional cooperation, established statistical sources, and its own data collection efforts. A key pillar of the observatory’s data infrastructure is the close collaboration with the Federation of Tyrolean Tourism Associations and the Tourism Associations themselves, which contribute destination-specific data and play an active role in the ongoing development and refinement of sustainability indicators.
In addition, TYSTO works with a range of regional institutions and data providers to ensure a comprehensive monitoring approach tailored to the specific context of Tyrol. This includes data and statistics provided by the Government of Tyrol and the Tyrolean Regional Statistics Devision, as well as additional sources such as the Tourism Monitor Austria (T-MONA), the Austrian Conference on Spatial Planning (ÖROK), the Tyrolean Economic Chamber as well as other industry partners.
By relying on local and regional data sources, TYSTO ensures that all monitoring activities reflect the specific conditions, structures, and sustainability challenges of tourism in Tyrol. While the observatory aims for a comprehensive measurement of all aspects of sustainability, data availability and quality vary across topics, so in practice only selected indicators with reliable data sources can be measured in each issue area, providing a robust and evidence-based foundation for decision-making. At the same time, TYSTO continuously develops and refines its indicators to improve data coverage and reflect emerging sustainability priorities in Tyrol’s tourism sector.
Click on the highlight boxes below to learn more about each key issue area, how it is addressed in TYSTO’s monitoring activities, and their connection to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
