The University of Innsbruck is one of Austria’s leading academic institutions, home to around 28,000 students and 5,500 employees, and offers a broad spectrum of research and teaching in the heart of the Alps. With a strong international network and a tradition of excellence, it serves as a hub for innovation, collaboration, and knowledge transfer. Tourism research at the university focuses on sustainable development, destination management, and the interplay between tourism, environment, and society, drawing on its unique alpine location as a living laboratory. According to the Shanghai ranking (2024), the University of Innsbruck is ranked number one in the European Union and number 23 worldwide for research in the field of tourism, highlighting its exceptional expertise and international leadership in this area.