Embedding Carbon Calculators in Tourism Governance and Management

As tourism destinations face growing pressure to meet global climate targets, digital carbon footprint calculators are emerging as tools to promote more sustainable visitor behaviour. This study examines the readiness and willingness of Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) to integrate such calculators into their governance frameworks. Through five semi-structured group interviews with representatives from Spanish DMOs, a prototype visitor carbon calculator was tested to evaluate perceptions of its usability, scope, and governance value. Within the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) framework, results reveal a general openness to adoption, though current uses tend to be symbolic or aimed at raising awareness rather than being strategically integrated. Key limitations include usability issues, a lack of segment-specific design (for example, for MICE tourism), and underutilised potential to leverage visitor emissions data in strategic planning. This paper contributes to the development of tourism technologies by demonstrating how co-designed carbon calculators can serve educational and governance purposes, supporting data-driven transitions to low-carbon tourism. The findings underscore the need for enhanced institutional preparedness and technological adaptability to fully leverage the potential of these tools in shaping a sustainable future for tourism.