Reconciling Tourism Competitiveness with Circularity: An IFI Framework for Policy Intervention from a Developing Perspective

While the integration of a Circular Economy in Tourism (CET) is a conundrum lacking transitional pathways and business models, it can be bridged through competitive policymaking. This conceptual study explores the interactions of tourism competitiveness (TC) with a CET and strategies for a CET policy from a developing perspective. For its analysis, it utilises a systematic literature search combined with established models such as the Competitiveness Assets-Processes-Performance (APP) framework, the Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI), and the’R’ models of circular economy. The study’s scholarly contribution lies in reconciling TC and CET through interlinkages between the TTDI and the APP framework. It also introduces a new system thinking tool, the Influencer-Facilitator-Initiative (IFI) framework for policy interventions, based on a generalised situation-actor-process-learning-action-performance (SAP-LAP) inquiry. In terms of novelty, the study presents a CET policy framework in the developing context to enhance global competitiveness within the tourism system. The findings of the study have implications for policymakers, managers, and researchers working in the areas of competitiveness, sustainability and strategy.