Interfirm Network Analysis in Marginal Tourist Destinations: The Mediator Company in Business Relationships

Abstract

The literature on tourist destinations and the use of empirical approaches evidence the need to adopt this model to increase tourism economies. In model application, the enterprises, and local stakeholders, sometimes represent limitations or opportunities. This article opens the view to tourist destination networks, described as relational structures that can influence and determine the destination-building process. The Network Analysis methodology offers a better understanding of inter-firm relational dynamics when applied in a small context, and in this case, the application was undertaken on the island of Sicily, in Menfi town and its hinterland. Findings show the presence of a company that assumes a central role in the network, maintaining a solid web of relationships between others. In this way, a mediator company is essential in remote tourist destinations. Policymakers need to facilitate the development of tourism companies, thereby increasing the relationality and business network ties among them.