Tourism Policy: Structure, Content, and Process

Tourism Policy: Structure,Content, and Process15LEARNING OBJECTIVESDemonstrate critical importance of tourism policy to competitiveness and sustainability of a tourism destination.Outline the structure and content of a typical policy framework for a tourism destination.Identify some methods, techniques, and approaches used to assist in tourism policy formulation.THE COMPETITIVE/SUSTAINABLE TOURIST DESTINATION: A MANAGERIAL FRAMEWORKTOURISM POLICY: A DEFINITIONTourism policy can be defined as:A set of regulations, rules, guidelines, directives, and development/promotion objectives and strategies that provide a framework within which the collective and individual decisions directly affecting tourism development and the daily activities within a destination are taken.EXAMPLES OF THE MANY “STAKEHOLDERS” IN TOURISM WITHIN A GIVEN DESTINATION/REGIONResidents of the “Host” DestinationLocal/Municipal/Regional/Provincial/National GovernmentsLocal/Regional/National Environmental GroupsLocal visitors/excursionistsRemote visitors/touristsEXAMPLES OF THE MANY “STAKEHOLDERS” IN TOURISM WITHIN A GIVEN DESTINATION/REGION (CONTINUED)Tourism industry sectors:TransportationAccommodationAttractionsEventsCommercial Outdoor RecreationCommercial Visitor ServiceDestination Management Organization (DMO)Culture/Heritage GroupsSocial/Health/Education GroupsAREAS ADDRESSED BY TOURISM POLICYRoles of tourism within overall socio-economic development of destination regionType of destination that will most effectively fulfill the desired rolesTaxation – types and levels Financing for tourism sector – sources and termsNature. direction of product development/maintenanceTransportation access and infrastructureRegulatory practices (e.g., airlines, travel agencies)Environmental practices and restrictionsIndustry image, credibilityCommunity relationshipsHuman resources and labor supplyUnion and labor legislationTechnologyMarketing practicesForeign travel rulesELEMENTS OF SUCCESSFUL “TOTAL TOURISM DESTINATION MANAGEMENT”GENERAL ECONOMIC & SOCIAL POLICIES AFFECTING TOURISMTaxation – affects costs and profitabilityInterest Rate Policy – affects costs and profitabilityBilateral Air Agreements – determine foreign visitor accessEnvironmental Policy – limits growth and access to attractive, but sensitive areasCustoms and Immigration Policy – can facilitate or hinder international visitationCommunications Policy – can restrict use of certain advertising mediaGENERAL ECONOMIC & SOCIAL POLICIES AFFECTING TOURISM (CONTINUED)Minimum Wage Policy – can affect labor marketsWelfare Policy – can influence nature, behavior of work forceEducation Policy – can affect quality of workforceCultural Policy – can affect preservation and promotion of national heritageForeign Investment Policy/Regulations – can affect availability of investment capitalLocal Zoning Policy/By-Laws – can restrict or encourage tourism facility developmentGENERAL ECONOMIC & SOCIAL POLICIES AFFECTING TOURISM (CONTINUED)National/Provincial/Local Policy re: funding support for major public facilities (e.g., stadiums, convention centers, museums, parks) – can drastically affect destination attractivenessInfrastructure Policy – can make destination safer for visitors, or restrict resident travel to foreign destinationsCurrency/Exchange Rate Policies – directly affects destination cost competitivenessLegal System – determines consumer/visitor protection legislation (e.g., liability for failing to deliver advertised facilities/tours/experiences)TOURISM: SOME OF ITS MULTIPLE INTERFACES WITH OTHER SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY AND SOCIETYLegal/PoliticalPlayersTechnologySectorEnvironmentalMovementEntertainmentIndustryResourceExtractionIndustriesHealth ServicesSectorEducationSectorFinancialSectorTTOOUURRIISSMMTHE STRUCTURE AND COMPOSITION OF TOURISM POLICYDESTINATION VISION FRAMEWORKTHE PROCESS OF TOURISM POLICY, STRATEGY FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION