A national research agenda identifies the research priorities that need to be addressed to “inform future policy and service delivery” by government and “for use by academics and practitioners to stimulate research, partnerships and collaboration” to enhance the performance of the sector (Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigeneous Affairs 2011, 3). Given that research funds are in very short supply for most sectors, a national research agenda can help prioritise the areas most in need of research and help coordinate the efforts and investments of diverse stakeholders to maximize the net outcomes of research. For national research agendas to be of value, there should be wide ‘ownership’ of the agenda so that it is seen to be reflective of the needs of the majority of stakeholders.

This paper examines the development of a national tourism research agenda to underpin policy and planning and the ways in which the skills of industry, government and academe are used. In particular, it examines the barriers and facilitators to harnessing the skills and knowledge of industry, government and academe.