Useful lessons can be drawn from realist evaluation and appreciative inquiry for the evaluation of tourism interventions in complex contexts. We combine the strengths of these two approaches to design a participatory learning-focused evaluation with an emphasis on co-created intervention improvement. We apply this proposed ‘Realist Appreciative Evaluation’ on a government-led intervention aimed at supporting tourism firms to improve their sustainability practices. While realist evaluation introduces causal thinking within a framework of contexts-mechanisms-outcomes, appreciative inquiry enables participants to be solution-oriented. The study shows how evaluation can constitute a constructive, dynamic learning process for participants, rather than something to fear. Our methodology promotes collaboration and real-time change, within the rigorous theory-based realist evaluation approach, to improve the evaluation of tourism interventions.
This study explores the power of the story-based ‘Most Significant Change’ evaluation method to evidence the impacts of a complex sustainable tourism intervention implemented through the cross-border EU-INTERREG ‘EXPERIENCE’ project across six regions on the French-English Channel. The method provides a participatory evaluation framework to capture contextual changes by collecting and analysing personal stories of change considered significant by those directly affected. As intervention-driven changes are often unpredictable and non-linear, the method supports researchers in exploring and learning about unexpected or complex outcomes emerging from the stories. Findings highlight the effectiveness of this narrative approach in capturing complex, unforeseen changes that may not be quantifiable through pre-defined performance indicators. The study contributes to evaluating EU-funded regional development programmes in tourism.