Tourism, coworking spaces, and knowledge services

Abstract

This paper examines how interactions between knowledge-intensive services (KIS) firms and coworking spaces (CWS) in different types of tourist subregions may shape local innovation ecosystems (LIE) in Bavaria. By differentiating between types of tourism—cultural, sports, regional, and international—and contrasting urban and non-urban contexts, the study investigates how tourism environments influence the presence and configuration of CWS in the context of LIE. Using K-density functions and regional firm-level data, the analysis reveals that non-urban CWS are often located in areas characterized by international, sports and cultural tourism, attracting digital nomads and working tourists. While urban CWS show stronger co-location with knowledge-intensive services (KIS), in peripheral areas, tourism emerges as a key factor associated with CWS development. The findings suggest that tourism-oriented CWS may foster local innovation ecosystems, calling for policies that connect tourism planning with digital infrastructure and support for mobile workers.