Operationalising the quintuple helix in S3: Towards sustainable innovation in tourism

This paper analyses how the Quintuple Helix (QUH) may be designed as a tool for a more efficient operation of the Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) and its current evolution towards the Smart Specialisation Strategies for sustainable and inclusive growth (S4+), considering tourism as a priority domain and how both can enhance each other. By combining the natural environment and societal actors into policy design, the study argues that adding the QUH model into S3 improves innovation governance. The proposed QUH–S4+ framework links five helices: academia, industry, government, civil society, and the natural environment, forming a collaborative system for sustainable and innovation-driven regional development. This approach assigns a pivotal role to the natural environment as a catalyst for knowledge production and innovation. The QUH emphasises cohesive interaction and knowledge sharing across cultural, political, and economic systems, where cross-regional cooperation can particularly benefit less developed regions that embrace green technologies aligned with the European Green Deal. Innovative technology solutions can completely transform tourism, making the vision of smart tourism a reality. The natural environment is a crucial element of the knowledge-building process, and innovation is particularly crucial since it helps to thrive, better serve humankind, and commit to green technology more successfully. Methodologically, the paper conducts a conceptual, theory-building review, deriving operational propositions and a policy checklist that translates the QUH framework into S3/S4+ implementation in tourism.