| Collaboration is one of the most frequently recommended strategies to address many global issues such as climate change, disease, and terrorism (Gray, 1989)---but, does it work for sustainable tourism? The study tested a model of inter-governmental collaboration as it relates to sustainable tourism. Three hundred and fifty nine government officers from the Greater Mekong Sub-region in Southeast Asia participated in an online survey regarding the relationship of sustainable tourism and collaboration. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analyzed survey data.;Both inter-governmental collaboration and sustainable tourism were conceptualized based on various related bodies of literature. Inter-governmental collaboration was defined by eight factors (resources, governance, administration, issues, attachment, mutuality, trust and leadership). Similarly, sustainable tourism was identified as having four factors (economic, environment, culture and societal). Sufficient theoretical support exists that sustainable tourism largely depends on inter-governmental collaboration.;Empirical results reveal a modified model with eight constructs and twenty three indicators that appears to be a better fit to the data set than the proposed model. Inter-governmental collaboration was redefined by four factors rather than eight and significantly influenced sustainable tourism. The overall fit of the modified structural equation model and the acceptable-to-high standardized loadings of the constructs suggest empirical support for a relationship between inter-governmental collaboration and sustainable tourism.;The study is significant for at least four main reasons. First, the study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing a more complete and deeper understanding of collaboration theories and their specific application in tourism. Second, it adds to existing work by expanding use of the SEM approach in tourism. Third, it informs policy development by providing scientific information on how to improve inter-governmental collaboration to achieve ST. Finally, it provides practitioners with specific and concrete measurements and indicators of sustainable tourism collaboration. |
