Critical success factors for business tourism destinations: exploiting Cardiff's national capital city status and shaping its business tourism offer

Abstract

Business tourism is a highly lucrative but competitive sector of the tourism industry which has led many destinations to implement strategies and invest in infrastructure and human resource developments. National and regional capital city status gives additional kudos to a destination. This paper presents critical success factors for business tourism destinations developed from four case studies of successful UK business tourism destinations through stakeholder interviews and explores how Cardiff should exploit its national capital city status to support its business tourism offer. The critical success factors for business tourism destinations include: leadership; networking; branding; skills; ambassadors; infrastructure; and bidding. These will inform an action plan to develop and shape Cardiff's business tourism offer and position Cardiff amongst the UK and Europe's major business tourism destinations.