Tourism crisis management does not stop in a destination’s front yard. Why stakeholder collaboration needs to cross borders.

Tourism organisations are particularly exposed to crises and disasters. Effective crisis management requires collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including local businesses, public authorities, emergency units, and actors in source markets such as tour operators and government agencies. However, communication barriers and fragmented responsibilities hinder cooperation. This study investigates stakeholder collaboration in destination tourism crisis management by identifying key actors, analysing their interactions, and exploring ways to enhance collaboration using stakeholder theory. Findings highlight the need for cross-border collaboration, emphasising the role of tourism associations as coordinating entities. The study suggests that proactive inter-agency cooperation, trust-building, and structured crisis planning improve resilience. Theoretical and practical implications underscore the necessity for clear leadership and structured communication networks to strengthen crisis response in tourism destinations.