24 th IFTTA CONFERENCE OCTOBER 2013 CHARLES UNIVERSITY PRAGUE MEASURES TO FACILITATE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT: MISSION, VISION, POLICY……LAW BY JOHN J DOWNES

VISION Tourism Development Vision for Armenia in 2030 sets out the goal of State policy in tourism to: “... increase the contribution of tourism to gross national income, balanced development, improvement of living standards and poverty alleviation in rural areas preconditioned by: –increase in tourism arrivals –increase in tourism generated incomes –job creation”

Serbian Vision for the Tourism Sector Serbia will have become a mature tourist destination with diversified and quality tourism products appealing to discerning and specialist tourists. Aided by membership of the European Union, a responsible tourism industry will be contributing significantly to economic development and the quality of life of her people. This will be accompanied by increased pride and enjoyment of Serbians at home and abroad in holidaying in the homeland

Mission Design new, competitive destinations, prioritize tourism sites and attractions. Provide high quality surveys, prioritize target markets. Branding of the country as a destination and individual tourist sites and their effective presentation and promotion in the global (target) markets Improve accessibility and transportation. Improve and develop infrastructure. Higher quality services. Workforce development.

Mission Ensure public heath and safety. Improve destination management, business and investment environment. Streamlining of government regulation. Improving the business climate. Creating a healthy investment atmosphere.

Mission in Canadian North West Territories To promote and support a diversified economy that provides opportunities to residents. To promote and support the development of business opportunities in the tourism sector. To secure economic and employment opportunities from responsible resource development for Northwest Territories residents. To develop partnerships with individuals, businesses, communities, Aboriginal organizations and other governments to foster prosperity and community self- reliance.

Policy Consistent with Government’s general economic policy. Promotes competition. Sustainable tourism development. Respect for the environment and cultural heritage. Encourage domestic and foreign investment. Government’s role in tourism development should be that of a facilitator and regulator and not an operator. Government should identify and remove strategic barriers to tourism development and create an enabling environment for the private sector to operate competitively.

Policy As a regulator, government will be involved with conservation, quality standards, fiscal policies and the provision of a rational and equitable business environment. Tourism investment, development and promotion must be market-driven. Local HRD.

EESC Opinion on Development of an EU Tourism Policy Regulatory Impact Assessment for all new legislative initiatives. Tourism should not be seen to have a stand-alone policy but as being a cross-cutting area influenced by other areas of government. Tourism Satellite Accounting. European Cultural Heritage label. European Gastronomical Heritage label. Harmonisation of hotel classification and grading. Establishment of a European Tourism Forum for all stakeholders.

EESC Opinion on Development of an EU Tourism Policy Promotion of health and wellness tourism, educational tourism, cultural tourism, MICE, religious tourism, agri- tourism, etc. Promoting and conserving cultural and gastronomic traditions. Promote the professionalization of the sector (training, stable employment etc.). Support MSMEs. Improve the management of “all-inclusive” packages. Improve access for the elderly, disabled and those with special needs.

EESC Opinion on Development of an EU Tourism Policy Development of a European quality brand – an EU “Quality Mark”. Make it compulsory for businesses in the tourism sector to provide training leading to a vocational qualification. Provide training in inter-personal skills. CALYPSO Initiative on seasonality. Establish a European Gateway in all of the EU languages so that visitors can post their comments so as to ensure better evaluation and promotion. Promotion of intra-European tourism services and facilities across Europe. Greater transport connectivity.

Tourism Law Central role of law in tourism development Institutional and regulatory lessons to be learnt from the collapse of the “Asian miracle” economies in the 1990s and the current economic turmoil. International harmonization of Travel and Tourism Law. Best practice for the institutional framework for National Tourism Authorities (NTAs) and for National Tourism Organizations (NTOs) derived from recent UNWTO studies. Implications of World Trade Organization rules and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) for the tourism sector.

Tourism Law Regulation of tourism service providers and tourism transactions. The Law should be consistent with the aim of encouraging the private sector. The role of NTA should be that of strategist and facilitator. The role of the NTA is to provide leadership, policy development and political mediation. It focuses on strategic and policy issues and is responsible for the regulatory framework. The NTO is responsible for promoting product development, entrepreneurship in the sector, marketing and promotion.

Tourism Law In making legal recommendations the following approach should be adopted: - Is the legal provision necessary? - Is there a role for Government to be involved? - Does it promote a competitive environment? - Does it promote economic efficiency? - Are the rules unambiguous? - Does it set performance standards? - Does it enforce public accountability?

Tourism Law Creating a Legal Framework which fosters and underpins the development of Tourism. Ensuring that it fits within the Constitution and Legal Framework. Ensuring that the State bodies responsible for Tourism (Ministry and NTO) are efficient, dynamic and work within legal norms. Creating a supportive structure for the private sector. Providing a framework for cooperation between the public and private sectors. Clearly defining the Tourism Industry in accordance with international norms.

Tourism Law Streamlining legal processes for tourism enterprises. Facilitating the development of professional standards. Promoting Sustainable Tourism Development. Consistent with the World Tourism Organization’s Global Code of Ethics in Tourism. Taking into account the requirements of the World Trade Organization and the General Agreement on Trade in Services. The law must be transparent. This also covers the procedures for licensing, classification, awards, incentives, disciplinary provisions etc. Bureaucratic discretion should be kept to a minimum.

Tourism Law It must be certain. No vague terms. It must not be capricious. There should be fair disciplinary measures, penalties, sanctions and systems of appeal. It must be published. A plain language guide should be prepared for the sector. It must be enforceable and enforced. It should be objective. It should contain anti-corruption measures. There should be a fair system of appeal.