Dr David Andrews

This study examines the role of trust in establishing collaboration and partnership between Destination Management Organisations (DMOs). The study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by investigating how the role of trust influence collaboration and partnership development between a group of DMOs, using a case study within Yorkshire, UK. The literature provides perspectives for the rationale for collaborations and partnerships and the importance of context when applying trust theory to DMOs and their collaborative workings. The findings show that the complex and large number of partners in the Yorkshire DMO model created its challenges, but the dynamic role of trust in the partnership was underestimated as was the impact it had on commitment and collaboration between partners. Power and funding were used to drive the implementation of the Yorkshire DMO model, but at the cost of trust and commitment between the partners which eventually assisted to the demise of the partnership. Local contextual issues and the operational environment underpin the trust within the partnership and the development of the economic and cultural investment of partners’ relations and collaboration. The research framework for DMOs to assess trustworthiness within the partnerships and ways to strengthen them.