Tourism Is All Too Important to Be Left to National Governments Alone - Research Paper Example

TOURISM TOURISM IS ALL TOO IMPORTANT TO BE LEFT TO NATIONAL GOVERNMENT ALONE Introduction Tourism has been considered as a significant industry since the last decades. In recent years, practically every country right through the world has taken steps to enlarge its number of visitors. Political and industrial leaders have almost universally documented the economics compensations the tourists can bring. In this article, I tried to gather, not all, some facts that could explain the significance of the industry; economically, politically and socially. According to Mowforth & Munt (2003) traveling has been widely promoted in third world countries in recent years, especially amongst the middle classes. Some countries presented environmental exquisiteness, economical and cultural assortment, audacious holidays, opportunities for preserving exotic landscapes and providing a culturally ornamental encounter. Mowforth & Munt (2003) stated that ‘tourism is a metaphorical lens that help bring aspects of development into sharper focus. It is not just about the role and impact of tourism in the Third World development, but also about the roles of First world people and organizations (operators, tourists, non governmental organization etc) in the manufacture of development as an idea, project or end-state.’ Murphy. P. E (1985) acknowledged that natural reincarnation is being possible by tourism, with visitors coming only to admire, rather than to devour, the landscapes, customs, monuments etc. Nevertheless, the growing extent in tourism enhanced the tourism industry to contend with inadequate resources available. He further explained that the end area for tourist must create a center of attention to the tourist. These attractions can be varied according to the tourist’s type but the most common types can be considered as these two: natural and man-made. Natural includes exotic landscapes and breathtaking scenes from nature, while support facilities; such as restaurants, motels; and Disneyland, for instance, are man-made category. The most important thing is that the destination area should fascinate non-local visitors as well. This is the most important feature from outdoor amusement. This emphasize on non-local visitors as a major economic consideration as well. Money spent by them would be ‘earned income’ of that community. If the local visitors spent money it would be called ‘redistributed income’ for that community. Community’s quality of life encouraged to invest in order to enhance facilities to create competing tourists destinations. According to World Tourism barometer (2005), more than 760 million arrivals globally have being noted worldwide in 2004 with an increase of ten percent from previous year. European countries saw 414 million international arrivals (2004, an excellent year for tourism, but with a tragic end, 2005). France has been ranked as number 1 where the arrivals were noted as 67,310,000 or 12.80% where as 9.10% and 8.20% were noted for United states and Spain, respectively. Below is the list and graph of some countries which shows the noted statistics of arrivals globally. France  12.80% United States  9.10% Spain  8.20% Italy  6.50% United Kingdom  4.90% China  4.50% Poland  3.70% Mexico  3.70% Canada  3.40% Hungary  3.30% Czech Republic  3.20% Germany  3% Russia  2.90% Greece  1.90% Turkey  1.70% Ukraine  1.40% Thailand  1.40% Singapore  1.20% Malaysia  1.20% Belgium  1.10% (The data is not accurate and is copyrighted by © Nationmaster.com) Organization for economic corporation and development (OECD) beholds that the service economy represents a large economical activity and its consequence is continually growing. However tourism is very difficult to define and measure for its complications and enormity; it is still considered as a key component of the service economy. The industry is expanding considerably over the past 30 years and it will keep on growing as societies become more prosperous and flourishing. OECD generates 30% of international trade while generating 70% of world tourism activity in terms of revenue. (OECD. n.d) Tourism has a constructive impact on economy. It is providing a lot of job ledges, it generates taxes and it attracts investments. It is also encouraging bi-cultural connections among different people. Tourism is to some extent a business that lets other people realize the exquisiteness of a place in exchange for money or revenues. It can construct the jobs to people and funds for the government, appealing for investors and promoting the culture of a country. Obviously, the Department of Tourism is responsible to make these things meet half way. However, there are a number of issues the department has to face along. Bob Cotton, British Hospitality Association chief executive, in his annual report (2009) pointed out that the government’s policies towards the tourism industry are discouraging. He criticized the lack vision of government which resulted in the failure of Budget 2009. In his view, the neglect ion of the Hotel Buildings Allowance and reduction in other allowances will endanger future investment. Mr. Cotton said that by “realizing the valuable support the association can provide, whether in terms of lobbying or of advice” can strengthen the membership development with more generosity along. He also criticized the new regulations imposed compulsively, directly or indirectly, on the industry. Traditional economic and social growth strategies have failed to realize and identify the opportunities that may help tourism to consider impact and prospective for job creation, export earnings and societal consistency. Pearce & Butler (1993) cited the work of Reid and Andereck (1989) who believed that much research results fail to signify the clear report of descriptive and graphic statistics. Jeffries (2001), stated that tourism statistics must cover all the activities performed by a tourist. These include, not only roaming and visiting places in holidays, but also business activities, study courses, pilgrimage and many other societal actions. There are some differences in the way in which conjugal tourism is managing statistically depending on the rationale of statistics. Tourism takes place in an environment that is shaped by all the complicated laws, regulations and other actions. Tourism is responsible for not only national and regional activities but also dealing with across traditional lines of business and industry. International tourism depends upon communication and cooperation among nations with respect of all laws, regulations and policies. Therefore, government’s intervention may be necessary to enhance the contribution of tourism to socio-economic development and poverty reduction. Robert Morris University, USA, presented some of the points that may explain that why government’s involvement is necessary in tourism. It stated that government’s involvement in tourism is essential in upholding economic development. It often calls for government inventiveness and capital, therefore government is supposed to control economic growth by monetary policies. Jobs and tax credits are being supported and facilitated by governments which help to encourage investment in and development of certain industries. Moreover, government operating expenses also include the costs of maintenance, which result in generation of revenue to maintain its agencies and activities. Not only this, government establishes authoritarian agencies and laws, in order to resolve problems or disputes that can come up from economic activity. Governments intrude in business activity to achieve broader policy goals, such as employment, education and training and environmental protection. Governments can generate the circumstances under which communities can work by significant market authority and giving the private sector more security of venture and motivation for partnership. Here are some suggestions for the purpose: Private sectors bidders for development of tourism rights This small change to the planning process can compel every new investment to address community tourism issues. Tenure By delegating tenure or possession to communities, to give them market power in structuring agreements. Equity share in government-private agreements Governments can also help local residents to become the private sector. Creating accommodating behaviors and opportunities towards policies and private sectors in the development of tourism Recognizing that local people also have various livelihood objectives, not just to take full advantage of cash income. Government should be concerned about how land or natural resources are used, or access. Should make policies in order to augment the power in tourism market. To make certain that tourism sector conventions support rather than excluding the informal sector. Government should not discourage NGO facilitation. It is usually needed! (World Travel & Tourism council, 2003) Various international tourism organizations are currently looking for better methods of benchmarking for the future. Here is the list of all those organizations that may involve in tourism at international level. United Nations (United Nations Development Program (UNDP, United Nations Environment Program UNEP, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) UN supply funds to protect World heritage World Tourism Organization, WTO Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and European Union (EU) Multilateral trade agreement (GATT), (NAFTA) Bilateral air agreements The famous is ‘The World Travel & Tourism Council’. WTTC holding Chief Executives of 100 leading members of Travel & Tourism companies worldwide has an exceptional authorization and indication on all subjects related to Travel & Tourism. (http://www.wttc.org/) World Travel & Tourism Council and International Hotel & Restaurant Association (1999) prepared a report in which discloses the facts that The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is the world’s largest industry and a key sector to economy which can sustain a positive economical, ecological and social development. 11.7% of GDP and merely 200 million jobs in the world-wide are generating by Travel & Tourism. UNCED, ‘United Nations Conference on Environment and Development’, 1992, also accepted the fact that WTTC is a key factor that can enable and elevate the contribution in positive sustainable development. It is containing one of the few sensible and practical options for developments in many areas. The start-up and running costs would be lower than any other industry. According to the report, Travel & Tourism emphasized on natural admiration of local heritage, culture and natural environment. Industry directs the powerful stimuli to protect these assets. Because it has a less impact on natural resources and environment as compared to other industries; it is helping in augmenting consumer dedications to sustain development principles through its consummate consumer distribution channels. The industry is responsible to retain natural environments and surroundings therefore the industry has to provide an economic inducement. Travel & Tourism depends on all of the basic infrastructure services; like: airports, railheads and ports, air navigations, roads, hotels, shops, restaurants, telecommunication and utilities etc. Good infrastructure will direct visitor streams in ways that do not affect the natural or built heritage. Travel & Tourism has to be managed competitively so as to play down the negative impacts on the environment and host communities. The industry has a challenge to capitalize on the benefits in terms of economical, support for local culture and industry, and fortification of the built and natural environment (WTTC, 1999). In order to improve the performance, the industry and national government established a partnership, to deliver an assimilation of travel and tourism policy into broader government policies. Govt. is supposed to endorse incentives for the industry by effective regulations, make commitments to education and environmental training of staff, reviewing the existing deliberate initiatives in order to improve the quality of transparency and integrity. Concluding the article, the researches showed that the occurrence of tourist brings with it ecological and socio-cultural impacts as the economic impacts. Therefore, the choice to trail tourism as a progress preference needs to be made after in view of all of the factors relating to its impact and the resources upon which tourism will describe. The main driving force is the economic remuneration connected with it. Sources WTO, 2005, ‘2004 an excellent year for tourism but with a tragic end’, WTO World tourism Barometer, 3(1), Madrid, World Tourism Organization Accessed from http://www.exploringmacedonia.com/WBStorage/Files/World%20Tourism%20Org%20Barometer%202004.pdf Mowforth & Munt (2003), “tourism and sustainability: development and new tourism in the third world’, 1998-2003, Routledge, Taylor & Francis group, 2nd ed. Murphy. P. E (1985), ‘tourism: a community approach’, London, Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data, University press, Cambridge Graphs and statistics by Nationmaster.com, © copyrighted material 2003-2010, Tourist arrivals (most recent) by country, accessed from http://www.nationmaster.com/red/pie/eco_tou_arr-economy-tourist-arrivals Cotton, B. 2009, ‘Government policies towards tourism show sad lack of vision’, British Hospitality Association BHA, annual report, Miles Quest, Wordsmith and Company WTTC & IHRA (1999), Tourism and sustainable development: The global importance of tourism, 7th session, Department of economic and social affairs, World Travel and Tourism Organization and International Hotel and Restaurant Association. OECD, n.d. ‘Economic impact of tourism’, powered by Vignette, Organization for economic co-operation and Development, citing website http://www.oecd.org/document/2/0,3343,en_2649_34389_1826114_1_1_1_1,00.html Jeffries .D.J. (2001), ‘Governments and tourism’, the case for the encouragement of tourism: pro-tourism lobbies, A division of reed educational and Professional publication Ltd. WTTC, 2003, ‘BLUEPRINT for new tourism’, © WORLD TRAVEL AND TOURISM COUNCIL 2003, accessing the website www.wttc.org/bin/pdf/original_pdf_file/wttc_blueprint_final.pdf Read More