Exploring barriers arising from coopetition:

In this study, we aim to understand how coopetition can create barriers to tourism through a focus on the collective interests that seek to preserve the identity of a geographical indication (GI). A qualitative longitudinal study that analyses a Brazilian wine industry, specifically the Vale dos Vinhedos (a GI region), because it provides examples of coopetition leveraged to develop the region. The study was conducted over ten years (2012-2022), collecting primary data from representatives of the Brazilian wine industry in 36 semi-structured interviews. The study found that wineries and formal institution agents established a coopetition strategy to stop uncontrolled expansion in the form of real-estate development, blocking the entry of new ventures such as hotels and timeshares that could distort the region’s character. Our study highlights the relevance of exploring the relationship between environmental, social, and governance performance in coopetition studies to understand how coopetition can support sustainable development. However, we found evidence that contrasts the perspective of coopetition as a strategy for developing a wine destination.