🗼Managing Global Tourism Unit 5 – Tourism Policy and Governance

Key Concepts in Tourism Policy

• Tourism policy encompasses the strategies, plans, and regulations developed by governments to manage and promote tourism within their jurisdiction
• Involves setting goals and objectives for tourism development, such as increasing visitor numbers, enhancing economic benefits, and minimizing negative impacts
• Considers the interests of various stakeholders, including tourism businesses, local communities, and environmental groups
• Utilizes policy instruments, such as legislation, taxation, and funding programs, to influence tourism development and behavior
• Aims to balance the economic, social, and environmental aspects of tourism to achieve sustainable outcomes
• Requires coordination and collaboration among different levels of government (national, regional, local) and across different sectors (public, private, non-profit)
• Adapts to changing circumstances, such as shifts in consumer preferences, technological advancements, and global events (pandemics, natural disasters)

Historical Context of Tourism Governance

• Early forms of tourism governance emerged in the 19th century, with the establishment of national tourism organizations (NTOs) in countries like Switzerland and New Zealand
• Post-World War II period saw a significant expansion of international tourism, leading to the creation of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in 1975
• 1980s and 1990s marked a shift towards neoliberal policies, emphasizing privatization, deregulation, and market-driven approaches to tourism development
• Growing recognition of the environmental and social impacts of tourism in the late 20th century led to the emergence of sustainable tourism policies and initiatives
• 21st century has seen an increased focus on tourism as a tool for economic development and poverty alleviation in developing countries
• Rise of digital technologies and sharing economy platforms (Airbnb, Uber) has disrupted traditional tourism business models and challenged existing regulatory frameworks
• COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vulnerability of the tourism industry and the need for resilient and adaptable governance structures

Stakeholders in Tourism Policy-Making

• Governments at national, regional, and local levels play a central role in developing and implementing tourism policies
• Tourism businesses, including hotels, tour operators, and transportation providers, have a vested interest in policy decisions that affect their operations and profitability
• Local communities, particularly those in popular tourist destinations, are impacted by tourism development and have a stake in policy decisions related to land use, infrastructure, and social services
• Environmental organizations advocate for policies that protect natural resources and minimize the negative impacts of tourism on ecosystems and wildlife
• Indigenous groups and cultural heritage organizations seek to preserve and promote their traditions and ensure that tourism development respects their rights and values
• Tourists themselves, as consumers of tourism products and services, can influence policy through their choices and behaviors
• International organizations, such as the UNWTO and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), provide guidance and support for tourism policy development at a global level

Policy Instruments and Implementation

• Legislation and regulations establish the legal framework for tourism development, including zoning laws, environmental protection measures, and consumer protection rules
• Taxation policies, such as tourist taxes and value-added taxes (VAT), can be used to generate revenue for tourism infrastructure and services or to discourage certain types of tourism activities
• Funding programs, such as grants and loans, can be used to support tourism businesses, attract investment, and encourage innovation
• Marketing and promotion campaigns, often led by NTOs, aim to increase visitor numbers and enhance the destination's image and brand
• Infrastructure development, including transportation networks, accommodation facilities, and visitor attractions, is often supported by public investment and public-private partnerships
• Education and training programs help to build the skills and capacity of the tourism workforce, ensuring high-quality service delivery and sustainable practices
• Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, such as visitor surveys and economic impact assessments, are used to track the effectiveness of tourism policies and inform future decision-making

Global vs. Local Tourism Governance

• Global tourism governance involves international organizations, such as the UNWTO, setting standards and guidelines for sustainable tourism development
• Regional tourism organizations, such as the European Travel Commission (ETC) and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), facilitate cooperation and coordination among member countries
• National tourism policies set the overall direction and priorities for tourism development within a country, often aligned with broader economic and social development goals
• Local tourism governance, at the city or community level, focuses on managing the day-to-day impacts of tourism and ensuring that the benefits are shared equitably among residents
• Tensions can arise between global and local priorities, such as balancing the need for standardization and consistency with the desire for local distinctiveness and authenticity
• Effective tourism governance requires vertical integration and coordination among different levels of government, as well as horizontal collaboration across different sectors and stakeholders
• Decentralization of tourism governance, with greater decision-making power and resources allocated to local authorities, can help to ensure that tourism development is responsive to local needs and priorities

Sustainable Tourism Policies

• Sustainable tourism policies aim to balance the economic, social, and environmental aspects of tourism development to ensure long-term viability and benefits for all stakeholders
• Environmental sustainability policies focus on minimizing the negative impacts of tourism on natural resources, such as reducing carbon emissions, conserving biodiversity, and managing waste and water usage
• Social sustainability policies seek to ensure that tourism development benefits local communities, such as through job creation, cultural preservation, and community empowerment
• Economic sustainability policies aim to maximize the economic benefits of tourism, such as through increased visitor spending, improved infrastructure, and diversification of the local economy
• Sustainable tourism certification programs, such as the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) criteria, provide standards and benchmarks for businesses and destinations to measure and improve their sustainability performance
• Visitor management strategies, such as carrying capacity limits and dispersal policies, can help to mitigate the negative impacts of overtourism on popular destinations
• Sustainable transportation policies, such as promoting public transit and electric vehicles, can reduce the carbon footprint of tourism and improve local air quality

Challenges in Tourism Policy and Governance

• Balancing the competing interests and priorities of different stakeholders, such as tourism businesses, local communities, and environmental groups
• Addressing the unequal distribution of tourism benefits and costs, particularly in developing countries where tourism may exacerbate existing social and economic inequalities
• Managing the impacts of global crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which have severely disrupted the tourism industry and highlighted the need for resilient and adaptable governance structures
• Responding to the challenges posed by climate change, such as rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and shifts in tourist demand patterns
• Regulating the growth of the sharing economy and digital platforms, which have disrupted traditional tourism business models and raised concerns about consumer protection, tax evasion, and housing affordability
• Ensuring the safety and security of tourists, particularly in destinations affected by political instability, crime, or terrorism
• Maintaining the authenticity and integrity of cultural heritage sites and traditions in the face of commercialization and commodification pressures

Case Studies and Real-World Applications

• Costa Rica's sustainable tourism policies, which have positioned the country as a leader in ecotourism and conservation, while generating significant economic benefits for local communities
• Barcelona's efforts to manage overtourism, including limiting the growth of tourist accommodation, promoting dispersal to less-visited neighborhoods, and engaging local residents in tourism planning and decision-making
• The Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, where community-based tourism initiatives have empowered local Maasai communities to benefit from wildlife tourism while preserving their traditional way of life
• The Great Barrier Reef in Australia, where tourism policies and management practices have been developed to minimize the impacts of visitor activities on the fragile coral ecosystem
• The European Union's Package Travel Directive, which provides a harmonized set of consumer protection rules for package holidays and linked travel arrangements across member states
• The UNWTO's "One Planet" sustainable tourism program, which brings together stakeholders from government, business, and civil society to accelerate the shift towards more sustainable consumption and production patterns in the tourism sector
• The Bhutan's "high value, low impact" tourism policy, which aims to attract a smaller number of high-spending visitors while minimizing the negative environmental and cultural impacts of mass tourism