Tourism, Policy and Planning: Ye Edgell Sr - Assignment Example

Chapter 1: introduction Tourism is defined as a chain of industries that is marked by growth and dynamism. It is not only concerned with the movement of people from one geographical location to another but it also encompasses proper planning and protecting of the major attraction destinations that draw people from various places. Key players in the tourism industry include private sector, public institutions and non-profit making organizations that are deeply involved in the preservation and sustainability of natural and economic resources. Policies in the tourism sector should aim at improving the living standards of both the locals and the visitors from other countries. In coming up with the policies, the governments through their lawmaking organs should incorporate the views of all stakeholder involved in the industry. Tourism is a major economic activity that offers a number of economic and non-economic benefits to nations hence it needs to be well maintained so as to allow for continuous growth. Some of the specific contributions of tourism include creation of employment opportunities, promoting entrepreneurship skills, stimulation of food production and promotion of culture and heritage. In creating policies in the industry, the governments must also put into consideration the negative impacts of tourism to other sectors of the economy. Chapter 2: Tourism policy issues of yesterday In order to develop a proper understanding of the current policies in the tourism industry, it is proper to consider the past policies that were enacted in the earlier years. Tourism has greatly evolved over the years and countries have had to change some of their laws and policies in order to accommodate the ever changing trends in the industry. A case in point is that of the United States which has had to amend its policies over the years so as to facilitate events in modern tourism. The beginning of modern tourism can be linked to Marco Polo who is regarded as the person who offered a number of aspects into modern tourism. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the body that has done a lot of research on the trends of policies in the tourism industry. It is the leading international organization that has registered numerous ideas and views in regard to international tourism and travels since it has wide membership in terms of countries and territories. Another global organization that has impacts on tourism policy is the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). This body is made up of several tourism institutions and companies that work together to increase the flow of information as well as advocating for better policies that seek to favor their member firms. Chapter 3: Tourism policy issues for today The current state of affairs has registered increased need for changes in policies affecting the tourism industry in bid to facilitate global economic growth. The policies are aimed at integrating the benefits emerging from the industry while at the same time reducing the challenges that have affected the industry to the larger scale such as environmental conditions. A number of strategies have been laid so as to offer the necessary assistance needed by the policymakers in their quest to come up with better policies. The World Tourism Organization in the year 1999 came up initiatives aimed at challenging all key players in the industry to consider full adherence to the Code of Ethics formed in the tourism industry. These moves will help streamline matters affecting the industry and allow for better provision of services while promoting harmony in the industry. The recent adoption of the Agenda for a sustainable and competitive European tourism by the European Commission will promote development of policies that will seek to integrate tourist initiatives among all the member countries. The plan is to offer European tourism stakeholders with the value needed for their role in the sector. Other international bodies such as the African Union is considering coming up with policies aimed at boosting tourism in the region. Chapter 4: International tourism as a commercial and economic activity Tourism is a major contributor of foreign exchange earnings and balance of payment to host countries as they continue to attract more international tourists. Tourism is regarded as the fastest growing commercial and economic activity in the world due to the advancement in technology, shorter working hours as well as cheap transport systems. Unemployment which is a major problem to most developing countries has been greatly reduced by tourism and as a result, massive investment in tourism is inevitable. Many countries have taken a low response to their investment in tourism due to the fact that tourism seems to benefit only reach nations. However, these trends seem to be changing as most countries have had fast hand experience on the benefits of tourism. Tourism impacts on the economy through increased employment rates, increased revenue, and addition of new products in the market and diversification of the economy. The tourism industry promotes development of new local industries, stimulates the development of basic infrastructures as well as attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). Many developing countries such as Belize, Costa Rica among others have benefited greatly from their investment in tourism. Their main tourist attraction sites are natural scenes as opposed to developed countries which have technological advanced infrastructures as the main form of tourist attraction. Chapter 5: Political and foreign policy implications of tourism The benefits that a country can attain through tourism are of great influence to their internal policies. Some countries consider gains from tourism as a means of showcasing their accomplishments or to increase their understanding abroad of their policies. Some countries such as the United States have had to come up with policies that are aimed at promoting tourism in those countries such as sponsoring exchange programs, offering lectures to promote domestic tourism and coming up with cultural programs that will advance the course of tourism. Countries that depend heavily on foreign tourism such as developing countries in Africa have had to come up with policies that promote good international relations in a bid to attract more tourists. However, some of these measures have been viewed as desperate thus allowing the influx of illegal activities such as drug and human trafficking in and out of these countries. Policies need not to be desperate in a manner that they will serve as loopholes for the introduction of illegal operations in the country. Unfortunate events such as terrorism have the ability to lower a nation’s ability to attract foreign tourists thus policies aimed at increasing security measures have to be adopted by such countries. Chapter 6: Managing sustainable tourism The management of sustainable tourism heavily relies on forward-looking policies as well as sound management approaches that require the development of good relationship and partnerships among the key players in the industry such as the private sector, governments, and local communities among others. This can be attained through forums and seminars so as to receive the views of all the parties involved before coming up with the policies and making them laws. Each group is set to gain from tourism through improved living standards and better means of service delivery. Governments have had to face the challenge of balancing the operations of the various industries that are at play in their countries so that they do not seem to favor one over the other. Sustainable tourism can only be attained through the incorporation of two main complimentary tacks namely the natural environment composed of geitourism, agritourism and ecotourism. The other tack is the built environment that is made up of culture, heritage and arts. Thus the two factions need to be incorporated in full so as to ensure sustainability in the tourism sector. Chapter 7: Barriers and obstacles to international travel There exist a number of barriers and obstacles that limit free movement and interaction of tourists al over the world. Every country has a set of policies that are aimed at enticing tourists to travel and promote economic growth in those countries. The policymakers must put into consideration the negative effects that may emerge from the already established rules and regulations. A case in point is that of the Egyptian tourism policies in which the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Economic Research found out that it did not conform to policies that could promote visit to the country. Each country has proper documentation such as visa and passports so as to limit the number of entries into those countries as well as keeping off illegal activities from taking place. There are some countries that have strong regulations towards the attainment of visas from them. This tends to limit the number of tourist visiting such countries as many people are unable to acquire the right documents needed to visit such countries. Countries need to adopt policies that can allow many people to visit their countries while at the same time not compromising on their security measures. Chapter 8: Affecting and influencing tourism policy Practical approaches towards the implementation of the policies in the tourism industry need to be adopted. It is a common fact that most policies that have been established and passed into law have remained inactive due to lack of will to implement them. The chapter identifies two main conditions that need to be presented to the elected leaders in order affect the policies in the industry. Money and information are the paramount items in this case. The political decision-making process need to be considered carefully so as to allow for free flow of ideas and decision that are not based on individual opinions but based on the common good of everyone. Divergent views expressed in the political decision-making process may lead to loopholes being created in the policies that are being made by the policymakers. The key policymakers should be experts in the field and not drawn among the political class. Advocacy coalitions as well as similar partnerships are some of the best approaches in coming up with the policies. These avenues can help promote the formation of polices based on real issues affecting the people in the tourism industry. Chapter 9: The international tourism policy process Tourism has registered a tremendous growth all over the world since the year 1976 in which the global tourism body known as the United Nations World Tourism Organization was established. The trend is expected to continue into the foreseeable future due to increased awareness and better policies. The tourism policies are able to link the planning function and the political goals for tourism into cohesive set of guidelines so as to offer clear direction for future progress. The increased need for reconciliation between private sector concerns and the public interest at the international level has necessitated the need to have tourism policies that will ensure the success of such a process. It has been established that for rapid growth to be realized in the tourism sector, improved management of essential functions in the industry such as in planning, development, research and evaluation must be undertaken. The increased complexity and sophistication in global tourism has led to the recognition of the need for more effective policies to be developed in a bid to address the role of tourism in the economic and social development of the world. Policy issues and policy development processes need to be addressed so as to create a cohesive environment that will promote tourism at both local and international levels. The inclusion of the entire community in the tourism development process is a necessary tool in the successful implementation of tourism policy initiatives. Chapter 10: Strategic tourism planning Strategic tourism planning has been identified as a collaborative management tool that is helpful in the determination of a destination’s vision, mission, goals, objectives, strategies as well as tactics that can be employed in order to promote rapid development in the tourism sector. This further lays a firm foundation for a given destination to come up with a brand identity as it progresses forward towards the preparation of a marketing plan. It drives an organization within the tourism sector to produce fundamental decisions as well as actions that are beneficial in both the current and the future periods. This process is regarded to be strategic because it offers the organization with a rational approach towards direction of the use of the available resources and in the communication of the interests of the key stakeholders. The role of the strategic plan is to offer a broad and detailed picture of what an organization desires to accomplish or attain in the near future. It also presents the identifiable paths to be followed by organizations so as to attain their goals and end results. The strategic plan must be distinguished from business plan which has lots of numbers. Strategic plan is composed of key words that offer explanations of the major decisions that an organization will consider making in the future. Chapter 11: Transformative leadership, poverty alleviation and tourism policies The United Nations through the UNWTO is considering measures that can be used in alleviating poverty in the world especially in the developing countries. The UNWTO which is a tourism policy agency is accountable for the promotion of responsible as well as sustainable development in various parts of the world with an aim of reducing poverty levels. The agency has fully accepted the role of tourism in reduction of poverty in the world as well as promotion of equality and equity in every part of the world. Tourism is used in poverty reduction through economic development in small and medium size enterprises in poverty stricken regions of the world. The UNWTO is made up of 155 member countries that can work in collaboration with the many affiliate members to ensure poverty reduction. This organization, as the global body for tourism policy, has a major focus on economic development, international understanding, peace, prosperity and sustainability. According to the tourism and poverty alleviation report by the UNWTO, one of the approaches towards elimination of poverty is through the provision of assistance in the sustainable tourism development projects. The body defines sustainable tourism in part three of its report as, “Ensure viable, long-term economic operations, providing socioeconomic benefits to all stakeholders that are fairly distributed, including stable employment and income-earning opportunities and social services to host communities, and contributing to poverty alleviation.” Chapter 12: Future world tourism policy issues One of the emerging matters of concern to the expansion of policies in tourism is climate change which has great impact on tourism. It is a common fact that the administrators in the tourism industry must undertake a paradigm shift away from the overuse of natural resources that are geared towards more interest in the stewardship of the environment. The developed of specific and detailed policies that will safeguard the environment must be undertaken carefully by the investors in the tourism industry. Natural disasters bear considerable influence on tourism undertakings all over the world. The United Nations reported in the year 2011 that natural disasters were the main cause of looses in the tourism sector all over the world. Such included earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, mudslides, storms among others and they pose a great challenge for many tourist destinations. Policy formulations therefore will need to focus the immediate needs of the industry and the guests, long-term recovery measures and prevention of or measures aimed at reducing the negative impacts of natural disasters. Health is another area of great concern to the flow of tourist from one destination to another. The policymakers are greatly concerned about the potential disastrous effects that may result from disease outbreaks on tourism. Read More