1. Learning Objectives
Demonstrate the critical importance of tourism policy to the competitiveness and sustainability of a tourism destination
Outline the structure and content of a typical policy framework for a tourism destination
Identify some of the methods, techniques, and approaches used to assist in tourism policy formulation

2. The Competitive/Sustainable Destination
The Competitive/Sustainable Tourist Destination: A Managerial Framework
The Competitive/Sustainable Destination
Tourism Policy
Structure and
Content
The Policy
Formulation
Process
Policy Formulation
Methods

3. Tourism Policy: A Definition
Tourism policy can be defined as follows:
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

4. Examples of the many “stakeholders” in tourism within a given destination/region.
Residents of the “Host” Destination
Local/Municipal/Regional/Provincial/National Governments
Local/Regional/National Environmental Groups
Local visitors/excursionists
Remote visitors/tourists
Tourism industry sectors:
Transportation
Accommodation
Attractions
Events
Commercial Outdoor Recreation
Commercial Visitor Service
Destination Management Organization (DMO)
Culture/Heritage Groups
Social/Health/Education Groups

5. Areas Addressed by Tourism Policy
1. The roles of tourism within the overall socio-economic development of the destination region
2. The type of destination that will most effectively fulfill the desired roles
3. Taxation – types and levels
4. Financing for the tourism sector – sources and terms
5. The nature and direction of product development and maintenance
6. Transportation access and infrastructure
7. Regulatory practices (e.g. airlines, travel agencies)
8. Environmental practices and restrictions
9. Industry image, credibility
10. Community relationships
11. Human resources and labor supply
12. Union and labor legislation
13. Technology
14. Marketing practices
15. Foreign travel rules

6. Some Elements of Successful “total tourism destination management”

7. General Economic & Social Policies Affecting Tourism
Taxation – affects costs and thus profitability;
Interest Rate Policy – affects costs and thus profitability;
Bilateral Air Agreements – determines foreign visitor access;
Environmental Policy – limits growth and access to attractive, but sensitive areas;
Customs and Immigration Policy – can facilitate or hinder international visitation;
Communications Policy – can restrict use of certain advertising media;
Minimum Wage Policy – can affect labor markets;
Welfare Policy – can influence nature and behavior of work force;
Education Policy – can affect quality of workforce;
Cultural Policy – can affect preservation and promotion of national heritage;
Foreign Investment Policy/Regulations – can affect availability of investment capital;
Local Zoning Policy/By-Laws – can restrict or encourage tourism facility development;
National/Provincial/Local Policy re: funding support for major public facilities (e.g. stadiums, convention centers, museums, parks) – can drastically affect destination attractiveness;
Infrastructure Policy – can make destination safer for visitors, or restrict resident travel to foreign destinations;
Currency/Exchange Rate Policies – directly affects destination cost competitiveness; and
Legal System – determines consumer/visitor protection legislation (e.g. liability for failing to deliver advertised facilities/tours/experiences).

8. Tourism: Some of its multiple interfaces with other sectors of the economy and society
Legal/Political
Players
Environmental
Technology
Movement T O U R I S M
Sector
Entertainment
Industry
Health Services
Sector
Financial
Sector
Resource
Education
Extraction
Sector
Industries

9. The Structure and Composition of Tourism Policy

10. Destination Vision Framework

11. The Process of Tourism Policy, Strategy Formulation and Implementation
Definitional
Phase
Definition of Tourism Destination System
Explication of a Tourism Philosophy
Crafting of a Destination Vision
Objectives and Constraints
Analytical Phase
Internal Analysis
Review of existing policies and programs
Resource audit
Strategic impact analysis
External Analysis
Macro level analysis of current and future demand
Micro level analysis of current and future demand and behaviors
Review of competitive and supportive tourism development and promotion policies
Operational Phase
Identification of strategic conclusions
Implications of conclusions for supply and demand development
Policy/Program recommendations
Implementation Phase
Implementation of strategy for Destination Development, Promotion, and Stewardship
Allocation of responsibilities for recommendation implementation
Identification of sources of funding to support competitive initiatives and stewardship programs
Specification of timing for recommendation implementation
Monitoring and evaluation of the results
© John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 2009