levels of tourism planning process

Business Guide
Destination Guide
Hotel Guide
Places to visit
Things to do

Tourism Planning: Importance, Benefits, Types & Levels

Planning is to prepare a Road Map to achieve goals.

In 1987 D.Getz defined tourism planning as “a process, based on research and evaluation, which seeks to optimize the potential contribution of tourism to human welfare and environmental quality”.

Faludi, in 1973, defined tourism planning as “Planning is a very important part of the process by which governments manage tourism at the national, local and organizational levels”.

What is Tourism Planning?

The upkeep and expansion of the tourism sector in a particular area is referred to as tourism planning. Planning for tourism is, of course, a crucial component.

Creating strategies and plans to increase, develop, and stimulate tourism for/in a destination may be summed up as tourism planning. The primary motivation behind establishing and implementing strategies for the tourist industry is to generate money, which will eventually raise the GDP of a nation or region.

What is the need for Tourism Planning?

For the expansion of the sector important to plan tourism activities for the following reasons:

It is necessary to plan tourism activities on different levels and in various manners to promote tourism and boost the economy.
To provide quality to both tourists and residents.
It involves making major decisions which cannot be taken spontaneously.

What are the components of Tourism Planning

Exploration phase/ Preparatory
Planning phase/Feasibility/
Zoning phase/Formal planning
Design and implementation phase
Operational phase

Most nations that have successfully planned their tourism can be found online and are regarded as incredible holiday destinations. People go to these nations hoping their travel vlogs will increase their subscriber count on YouTube. That is an indication of success in the modern day.

Benefits of Tourism Planning

Tourism destination planning should be a vital component of every destination’s tourism development plan to get the best outcomes and please all stakeholders. While some places do a great job of maintaining sustainable tourism, others (typically developing countries) need to recognize the significance of comprehensive tourism development planning.

Tourism planning can benefit various parties involved from the industry in the following ways:

It boosts revenue and employment thanks to tourist spending.
It safeguards cultural and natural assets so that visitors can enjoy them.
It broadens the comprehension of cultural diversity
It constructs new infrastructure, such as sewage systems, roads, etc., for the community.

Impacts of Tourism Planning

The impacts of tourism destination planning can be sorted into seven general categories:

Environmental
Social and cultural
Crowding and congestion
Community attitude

Formulating an approach to tourism policy and planning:

According to Inskeep, six “golden standards” should be followed when creating a strategy for tourist planning and policy (1991).

1. Goal Oriented:

Tourism Planning should be oriented to achieve broad national and community goals.

2. Integrative:

Integrating tourist policy and planning into the economy, land use and infrastructure, conservation, and environmental planning.

3. Market Driven:

Planning for successful tourism growth in a cutthroat international market.

4. Resource Driven:

Developing tourism that capitalizes on the location’s inherent advantages while preserving and improving the features and experiences of existing tourism resources.

5. Consultative:

Considering broader community attitudes, needs, and desires to determine what the population will accept.

6. Systematic:

utilizing primary or secondary information to support planners conceptually or predictably, incorporating knowledge from other tourist locations

Levels of Tourism Planning

Planning and policy for the tourism industry occur at several levels. This can be done in a top-down approach, with international or national bodies, or a bottom-up approach from a local level.

1. International Tourism Planning:

Tourism planning at the international level typically involves international transportation services, the movement and scheduling of tourist tours between different countries, the development of significant tourist attractions and facilities in neighboring countries, as well as the working strategies and promotional programs of many nations.

2. National Tourism Planning:

Tourism policy, infrastructural facilities, and a physical structure plan, which includes significant tourist attractions, chosen tourism development regions, international entrance points, facilities, and services, are all addressed at the national level of tourism planning. Additionally, it is concerned with the quantity, types, and quality of lodging and other essential tourist facilities and services; the country’s major travel routes and their regional connections; tourism organization

rights, laws, and investment policies; marketing and promotion strategies for the industry; education and training initiatives; and environmental, economic, and sociocultural analysis.

3. Regional Tourism Planning:

Regional planning considers factors such as regional policy, regional entrance points, transportation facilities, and services; the types and locations of tourism attractions; the quantity, varieties, and places of lodging and other tourist facilities and services; and the sites of tourist development regions, such as resort areas.

They will also oversee sociocultural, environmental, economic, and impact analyses, regional education and training programmes, marketing strategies, investment policies, organizational structures, legal frameworks, and implementation strategies, including project plans and zoning ordinances.

4. Local Tourism Planning:

Participants at the local level will think about the analyses, outputs, outcomes, and assessment of tourism planning at the ground level.

Types of Tourism Planning

Before creating a comprehensive plan to market the destination, the following types of tourism planning are taken into account:

Spatial Tourism Planning:

Spatial tourism planning attempts to thoroughly process social, environmental, and economic change to bring about certain ends. Drawing plans, maps or diagrams are put together to decide where socio-spatial activities can occur.

Sectoral Tourism Planning:

In this kind of planning, the regions are divided into sections, and each section is called a sector. It concentrates on a manageable area and takes into account the specific infrastructure, land use, transportation, and environmental requirements of that region. Depending on the nature of the products or services provided, economic, social, and administrative activities are grouped into sectors.

Complex Tourism Planning:

When various regions are considered for the purpose of tourism planning, it is known as complex tourism planning. These regions are to be developed comprehensively because of the significant interest shown by international tourists. There is a possibility that these regions are located far away from one another.

Integrated Tourism Planning:

Integrated tourism refers to making tourism the primary industry in a given area by systematically and comprehensively promoting all available economic, social, and tourism resources.

Sustainable Tourism Planning:

Sustainable tourism planning involves striking the correct balance between the requirements of people and the environment. It entails stating the community’s mission, vision, and unique selling point or identity in clear terms. With the help of this type of destination planning in our local communities, we are better equipped to plan for the long term, and respond to changing target markets, trends, and emergencies like the Covid-19 outbreak. Additionally, it guarantees that resources are allocated properly while ethically and sustainably establishing local communities. This method of tourism planning benefits people and places in positive ways on all fronts—socially, economically, culturally, and environmentally—puts sustainability at its core.

Centralized Tourism Planning:

Centralized tourism planning is done by a single authority, usually the state or central government.

Decentralized Tourism Planning:

Organizations are interested in developing tourist spots and planning the various activities visitors can enjoy. (Joint Venture).

They take assistance from government. Suggested Read: Sustainable Tourism

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is tourism planning important.

Destination development plans should include tourism planning since it promotes a destination’s long-term viability and encourages cooperation among important stakeholders..

What are the features of tourism planning?

Three general principles of planning for tourism can be specified as anticipation, regulation and monitoring.

What are the barriers to tourism planning?

According to earlier research conducted in several nations, a common pattern of issues has emerged. For instance, financial constraints, a lack of knowledge, an insufficient amount of time, and other issues have prevented local governments from incorporating tourism into their development plans.

ravinder babbar

February 8, 2024

General , Travel Agent Guide

Impacts of Tourism Planning , Tour Planning , Tourism Planning

Talk To Us!

Tourism Policy, Planning, and Development

General overview.

Tourism policy, planning, and development are all very connected and do not just occur when a geographic area decides to be a tourism destination. Policy, planning, and development are included in numerous aspects of communities.

continue but from different perspectives. An example would be the use of the destination/product lifecycle, discussed later. It is important to understand what tourism planning and development are individually as well as collectively. Planning is essential to effective development. Tourism is not always a beneficial industry for a geographical area, but without planning tourism can damage the area, including natural and cultural resources (Morrison et al., 2018). A destination might consider “Who, What, When, Where, Why” when working on a tourism plan. The same can be considered for tourism development, as well as other topics included in this alternative textbook (e.g., marketing and promotion).

Tourism Policy

A policy is essentially a course of action taken by some organization or institution (e.g., government, business, educational institution). A tourism policy as defined by Edgell et al. (2008) “is a progressive course of actions, guidelines, directives, principles, and procedures set in an ethical framework that is issues-focused and best represents the intent of a community (or nation) to effectively meet its planning, development, product, service, marketing, and sustainability goals and objectives for the future grown of tourism” (p. 7). Stated more simply, Hall and Jenkins (1995) suggest “tourism public policy is whatever governments choose to do nor not to do with respect to tourism” (p. 7-8). A tourism policy is essentially a framework including guidelines, goals, and initiatives to work toward achieving the goals. Where as an act by government, such as the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 establishing Brand USA, is a law or statute.

A policy for international travel is having a current passport and for many countries a Visa. The application for a Visa to visit a foreign country allows countries to approve who may visit the country and not allow individuals for a variety of reasons (e.g., security threat). The U.S also has the Visa Waiver Program, which is an agreement with 40 countries allowing citizens of those countries to visit the U.S. for business or leisure travel purposes for up to 90 days without a Visa, provided they meet other requirements (U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Counsular Affairs, n.d.). The countries with the Visa Waiver Program also allows U.S. residents to travel to the respective countries with fairly similar criteria. The purpose of requiring a Visa is to regulate travel between countries. The Visa Waiver Program is an agreement to allow citizens of certain countries to visit without having to obtain a Visa if certain criteria are met. This essentially makes it easier to travel between the respective countries.

The International Trade Administration includes a Tourism Policy Council (TPC) to ensure national decision-making considers the national interests of travel and tourism (International Trade Administration, n.d.). The TPC provides resources to help with such issues or challenges as recovering from disaster, and links to Center for Disease Control (CDC), and many other potential issues or challenges for travel and tourism in the U.S.

At more local levels, Morrison et al. (2018) suggest tourism destinations can develop policies for development, marketing, tourist experiences, human resource issues, tourism organizations (e.g., structure), relationships throughout the community, quality assurance, and supporting services (e.g., safety and security).

Policy Setting Process

There are a series of recommended steps for the establishing policy (Morrison et al., 2018). First, identifying and assessing the circumstances related to the issue. This includes understanding contraints that you and/or will face. Constraints can be internal (e.g., locals’ awareness of tourism, training and education of employees in hospitality and tourism, budget) or external (e.g., economy, price of gas, natural disaster). The tourism organization/local industry has more control or ability to do something about internal constraints, while have little or no control over external constraints. For example, nothing can be done about bad weather or if a natural disaster occurs. However, if locals are not aware of tourism in the local community, education and information can be shared to make locals more aware. This step in the process can also make you aware of new opportunities (e.g., an attraction to develop, new target market).

The next step is typically to create a policy statement to provide guidelines, goals, and initiatives to help guide the organization, destination, etc. While not directly a policy statement, most CVB vision statements include something that provides a guideline with somewhat vague goals. For example, it might be to maintain and/or improve the quality of life for residents of the destination by promoting the destination for tourism and conventions, which would include an economic goal. A policy statement for this vision would be more specific with the goals and initiatives identified to fulfill the goals.

Consultation with government, local tourism businesses, and any other stakeholders is next. This step is to get feedback about the policy statement. Following the consultation and depending on the outcome, the policy statement might be rewritten or modified. Next would be another round of consultation and then rewriting until the the policy statement is approved.

Now is time to implement the policy statement. This will include identifying specific roles of individuals, committees, organizations, etc. This step also includes developing the budget and timeline for the initiative(s).

Finally, those involved evaluation the policy. Were the goals achieved? Why or why not? However, you do not wait until the end of the established timeline for the policy to evaluate. There should be constant assessment to identify if you are likely to achieve the goals. Remember there are numerous constraints that are external (e.g., weather, natural disaster) that might dictate the need to adjust the initiatives and other efforts related to the tourism policy.

Tourism Planning

Prior to tourism planning it is important to consider other types of planning for a community or geographic area. Planning is not new. Gunn and Var (2002) indicate physical planning goes back to early Greek and Roman times. Planning is done to manage visual appearance and land use. However, planning incorporates many disciplines and perspectives: “Planning is a multidimensional activity and seeks to be integrative. It embraces social, economic, political, psychological, anthropological, and technology factors. It is concerned with the past, present, and future” (Rose, 1984, p. 45).

Gunn and Var (2002) suggest when plans (not only tourism, but community, etc.) are created they often include very high or lofty goals and it is difficult to actually achieve such goals for numerous reasons. Planning is very vague and has no real theory behind it. For community plans the general goal is a better place to live. For tourism planning the goal might be to provide visitors with a good experience. As stated earlier, an effective tourism plan can also maintain or even improve the quality of life of residents, not just economically but the attractions provide activities for local residents as well as tourists.

Morrison et al. (2018) offer three primary reasons for tourism planning. The first two are related to impacts, to maximize the economic benefits and minimize damage to resources (i.e., natural, environmental, cultural). Another reason for a tourism plan is that tourism is constantly changing for many reasons (e.g., visitor expectations, needs, motives; politics; economy; technology). As a result, the plan needs to be adaptable.

Not all destinations have a tourism plan. Some reasons for not having a tourism plan include (Morrison et al., 2018):

Objections – it should be taken care of by the private sector and there is no need for a formal plan.
Cost – includes market research, consultations, and a lot of time.
Complex – tourism is affected by numerous things, such as government policies, dynamic of the community and stakeholders.
Diversity – various sectors involved directly or indirectly in tourism.
Seasonality – in many destinations the jobs related to tourism can be seasonal (e.g., beach destinations, snow skiing destinations).
Unpredictability – keep in mind the numerous things that affect and make tourism complex (e.g., natural disasters, crises, politics, economy).

Gunn and Var (2002) add the following tourism planning barriers:

Lack of awareness of tourism impacts – which is ironic because it is a reason for a tourism plan.
Do not understand tourism development – there needs to be a plan for developing tourism and then maintaining and even upgrading tourism (e.g., attractions, facilities, etc.).
Inadequate infrastructure – might have deteriorated attractions, facilities, etc.
Unorganized – no leadership to guide the process.
Politics – usually various opinions among stakeholders (e.g., businesses, government, other stakeholders).
Lack of hospitality training.

However, there can be serious consequences of unplanned tourism. In general, unplanned tourism is not likely to be sustainable tourism economically, environmentally, socially/culturally.

Tourism Planning Models or Approaches

Morrison et al. (2018) provide a seven step tourism destination planning model:

Background analysis – including a SWOT analysis and assessments of government policies that affect tourism, inventory analysis (e.g., attractions, accommodations, restaurants, etc.), current demand for tourism at the destination.
Research and analyses – identify/map locations of the inventory analysis, market survey of current visitors (e.g., motivations, what they like to do) and non-visitors (e.g., why have they not visited?, awareness of the destination, image/perception of the destination), competitive analysis (e.g., who are your competitors?, how can you differentiate your destination from competitors? what do and can you work to improve?).
Where are we now? (position statement).
Where would we like to be? (vision statement). Then, identify critical success factors or ways to measure and determine if you achieved your vision.
Setting goals, establishing strategies, and setting objectives – develop a policy or (e.g., stimulate the economy). Set goals or achievable outcomes. Identify alternative strategies to achieve goals and select the most desired of the alternatives given environment or conditions (e.g., economy, resources, politics). Set objectives which are more short term goals to help monitor if you are going to achieve your longer term goals. If not, remember a tourism destination plan should be adaptable, which is the next step.
Develop a plan – identify organizations and people to be involved and their roles, funding sources and budgets for different aspects of the plan, activities to implement your plan.
Implement and monitor the plan – While the plan should be developed by input and participation by numerous stakeholders, it is generally implemented by a local tourism agency or organization (e.g., CVB). But, there should be committees derived of various stakeholders to which the agency is accountable. This helps monitor progress of implementing the tourism destination plan and adapt if needed.
Evaluate the plan – measure performant of the various parts of the plan against the goals (e.g., did you achieve the goals? Why or why not?). Use the evaluation to see if and how you might adapt the plan moving forward.

Tourism Development

The tourism destination plan helps guide development of tourism. Destinations will be at various stages of development. So, it is not that the tourism plan is just for a destination just getting involved in tourism. As suggested by Mason (2003). development and change for destinations occurs as time progresses. The characteristics, motives, preferred activities and attractions, and many other things change over time and destinations redevelop to remain competitive. A fairly common way to view this is commonly referred to as “Butler’s Tourism Area Lifecycle”. There are five main stages to Butler’s Life Cycle (Butler, 1980):

Exploration – at this stage there might be some tourism but not really an effort to provide traditional or common tourism attractions, facilities, etc. This stage mostly include tourists visiting facilities and local resources used by residents.
Involvement – this is the beginning of the destination offering some facilities for tourists. The destination begins to more formally organize and provide or improve infrastructure, some attractions, and facilities for tourists at a local level.
Development – the destination begins marketing and promoting the destination. This stage also begins development from outside organizations and/or businesses. The destination will begin to develop and look more like a noticeable tourist destination. More and more tourists will likely visit the destination as development progresses.
Consolidation – at this stage the rate of increase in visitors will begin to decline. The rate of development will also begin to decline. Residents may become opposed to tourism with all of the non-locals who are in the community and there is more traffic and congestion. Some of the older attractions, facilities, etc. may also begin showing degradation.
Decline – number of visitors will be begin to decrease as competitor destinations might have more appealing attractions, infrastructure, etc. The degradation of attractions, infrastructure, and other aspects of the destination will continue and possibly turn into what Butler (1980) refers to as a “veritable tourist slum” (p. 9).
Rejuvenation – this outcome can occur by development of a new man-made attraction, which is likely to be followed by improvement of surrounding attractions, facilities, and other tourist needs. However, if competitor destinations also rejuvenate, the competition will remain and rejuvenation might be much less or possibly not rejuvenate and potentially decline. Another way Butler (1980) suggest rejuvenation can occur is to utilize natural resources that might not have been part tourism product throughout previous tourism development and marketing and promotion.

Butler (1980), as well as many other tourism scholars, suggest all of these efforts or stages of Tourism Area Life Cycle should be a collaborative effort within the community. For example, the government could offer incentives for private development of a new man-made attraction.

There are a number of potential ways to develop tourism. One way is to develop a “flagship” attraction, which are major attractions like a theme park (e.g., Disney Land, Disney World) and/or utilize natural attractions (e.g., ocean, lake, National Park). Gunn and Var (2002) offer recommendations for tourism destinations to develop destination zones. The zone would have clusters of attractions (e.g., museum districts) and a corridor connecting the clusters with some form of transportation. Clustering attractions provides tourists with more to do in a closer area so they spend more time at attractions and less traveling between attractions. The destination zone and clustering is a great example of planning and development and how integrated the two initiatives should be.

Morrison et al. (2018) suggest tourism involvement should be holistic. The holistic view would include consideration of the product (e.g., attractions, events, support facilities, transportation, infrastructure, etc.). Respective destinations could also ensure people (i.e., hosts, guests) are included to ensure there is community awareness and inclusion of local businesses, organizations, and residents. Morrison et al. (2018) also suggest visitor management (e.g., signage) and identifying the visitor mix of the destination. Packages (e.g., all inclusive, hotel and tickets to attraction) and programs (e.g., events, festivals, other activities) could also be developed to attract more tourists. However, destinations should approach tourism development and/or redevelopment from a sustainable approach to avoid overtourism (i.e., too many tourists).

Sustainable Tourism Development

Tourism development should also be sustainable and include the three impacts of tourism (i.e., economic, environmental, social/cultural).

The United Nations (n.d.) proposes 17 goals to consider for economic development, which include economic (e.g., “No Poverty”, “Decent Work and Economic Growth”, environmental (e.g., “Clean Water and Sanitation”, “Affordable and Clean Energy”), and social/cultural (e.g., “Good Health and Well Being”, Quality Education”) goals. The 17th goal is “Partnerships For the Goals”, which are very important for tourism destinations, not only in tourism destination planning and development, but other aspects such as marketing and promotion.

Relating development back to the impacts of tourism (i.e., economic, environmental, social/cultural). Sustainable development should include these impacts. Morrison et al. (2018) through applying the triple bottom line to tourism offers some examples of efforts for sustainable development in each of the three areas:

Social – include residents, be sure development improves or at least maintains locals’ quality of life.
Environmental – protect resources, educate visitors and residents of ways to protect resources.
Economic – new employment opportunities, increase spending of visitors, find ways to have businesses purchase locally to minimize leakage.

Tourism Development Strategies

Various strategies exist to develop tourism. For example, flagship attractions (e.g., large amusement parks, National Parks) can provide something unique to market and promote. Development of clusters of attractions (e.g., museum districts) provide several attractions near each other so visitors do not have to drive long distances between attractions. Such districts could also include development of a circuit or trail for transportation via hiking or biking. Aside from man-made attractions, events can be developed by destinations to highlight such things as cultural or other unique aspects of a destination.

Considering all of the possible options of tourism development provides a holistic view. Not only the examples of attractions and events, but packages and programs can developed. Destinations need to also consider all of the elements of tourism in development (i.e., attractions, infrastructure, transportation, built/support facilities, service quality/hospitality). Again, not only businesses and organizations directly involved in tourism, but all stakeholders (e.g., residents, other local businesses) should be included and/or given the opportunity to provide feedback regarding the tourism development plan.

The general goals of tourism development should include improving visitors’ experiences, improving the local economy, not damaging natural resources, and integration throughout the destination so that tourism attractions and venues are not isolated from the rest of the community (Gunn & Var, 2002). Such goals of tourism development require all three sectors (i.e., private, non-profit, government) to be involved and collaborate.

Tourism Development Roles

The private sector, non-profit, government, and local community (e.g., residents) should be involved in tourism development. The private sector role is entrepreneurial and operations (Morrison et al., 2018). The entrepreneurial role is to identify investors to develop man-made attractions, accommodations, food and beverage, and other facilities for tourists. Once built their role becomes to hire workers, manage the operation and ensure it is successful. After all, they are taking a risk as entrepreneurs.

As discussed in the Tourism Organizations section, the non-profit organizations include CVBs to market and manage the destination, chambers of commerce, associations such as a local sports association to attract sporting events to the destination. The CVB typically works with all stakeholders and leads the marketing and sales (e.g., conventions, trade shows) for the destination. Chambers of commerce might be the tourism marketing and sales organization in smaller destinations. However, many of these non-profit types of organizations collaborate with each other, as well as with private or for-profit-sector (e.g., members of CVBs) and government (e.g., hotel tax dollars as a funding source). Non-profit organizations might also operate such things as museums and historical attractions, as well as festivals and events. Such organizations might be local cultural organizations.

The government really does not manage tourism attractions. However, there are exceptions, such as National Parks. Government roles are to stimulate development of tourism, as well as establish and enforce procedures, codes, such as zoning (e.g., business, residential). Government might also get involved for the following reasons: bankruptcy of an attraction where the government needs to help the business in some way, ensure cultural aspects of the community are conserved, encouraging private sector development, find ways to work with potential attractions and other elements of tourism provided through the private sector where businesses may have concerns about being profitable (Morrison et al., 2018).

Government might fulfill some of the above reasons for their role in tourism development by offering incentives (e.g., tax breaks) to entice development by the private sector. Government might also offer a piece of land for private sector development, which lowers the businesses cost to develop at attraction, supporting facilities, or other element of tourism.

While the sectors may have relatively unique roles in tourism development, it is also important the cooperate with each other for the good of the destination. Edgell and Haenisch (1995) offer a model whereby there are times each will work independently of the other two sectors, times when two sectors work together (e.g., private sector and government), and times when all three work together. Edgell and Haenisch (1995) call this “coopetition”. For example, while attractions compete within the destination for tourists to visit respective attractions, if all stakeholders cooperate the develop and manage tourism, the destination will do better overall.

Project Development Analyses

Prior to developing an attraction, hotel, or other element of tourism, there should be an assessment or analysis to determine the feasibility of being successful. Private sector developers who need be profitable will typically do feasibility studies. This may start with a pre-feasibility study, which is essentially to see if the project is even viable. For example, does the project make sense given what the destination already offers? Pre-feasibility studies might be conducted by whatever company or organization is interested in the project. If it does, the next step would be a more robust feasibility study to identify such things as potential sites for the product being considered, assess the market demand of the project, projected revenues and expenses, capital costs to develop the project, and will there be enough return on investment (ROI) if the project is developed. The full feasibility study is often conducted by an independent consulting company to minimize biases. The feasibility studies helps the company or organization identify if the project should move forward or not.

The market demand study within the full feasibility study would include secondary and primary research. Secondary research would include existing data, such as hotel metrics (e.g., supply, demand or rooms sold over a given period of time, occupancy, average daily rate (ADR), and revenue per available room (REVPAR) if the project is a hotel. Primary market analysis requires collection of data. This can include surveys (e.g., visitors of the destination to determine if the potential project is of interest), focus groups to get in-depth insight as to the interest of visitors. Surveys can also be conducted to potentially identify potential demand for the project.

If a project is not intended to be profitable, such as one being developed by the government or non-profit organization, a cost-benefit analysis can be conducted. Such a study essentially identifies the potential benefits to society are worth the cost of the investment.

Butler, R. W. (1980). The concept of a tourist area life cycle of evolution: Implications for management of resources. Canadian Geographer, XXIV (1), 5-12.

Draper, J., Woosnam, K. M., & Norman, W. C. (2011). Tourism use history: Exploring a new framework for understanding residents’ attitudes toward tourism. Journal of Travel Research, 50 (1), 64-77.

Edgell, D. L., Allen, M. D., Smith, G., & Swanson, L. E. (2008). Tourism policy and planning: Yesterday, today and tomorrow . Elsevier Inc.

Gunn, C. A., & Var, T. (2002). Tourism planning: Basics, concepts, cases (4th ed.). Routledge.

Hall, C. M., & Jenkins, J. M. (1995). Tourism and public policy . Routledge.

International Trade Administration. (n.d.). Tourism Policy Council (TPC). https://www.trade.gov/tourism-policy-council

Mason, P. (2003). Tourism impacts, planning and management . Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann.

Morrison, A. M., Lehto, X. Y., & Day, J. G. (2018). The tourism system (8th ed.). Kendall Hunt.

Rose, E. A. (1984). Philosophy and purpose in planning. In M. J. Bruton (Ed.), The spirit and purpose of planning (2nd ed., pp. 31-65). Hutchinson.

United Nations. (n.d.). Department of Economic and Social Affairs: Sustainable Development. https://sdgs.un.org/goals

U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Counsular Affairs. (n.d.) Visa Waiver Program. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-waiver-program.html

Share This Book

Tourism Planning

Post last modified: 2 October 2021
Reading time: 19 mins read
Post category: Uncategorized

Tourism planning like any planning is purpose-oriented, determined to accomplish some of the objectives by corresponding to the accessible resources and programs with the necessities and desires of the people.

Tourism as a whole is an activity that is judged as part of physical, environmental, social and economic planning. It is seen as a business activity, in which the public or private and individual stakeholders have different perspectives to plan it. But, the role of government agencies in developing countries is central to tourism planning.

Table of Content

1 Importance of Tourism Planning
2 Constraints in Tourism Planning
3.1 Transport
3.2 Accommodation
3.3 Tourist Activities
3.4 Product Development
3.5 Tourism Zoning
3.6 Marketing and Promotion
3.7 Institutional Framework
3.8 Statistics and Research
3.9 Legislation and Regulation
3.10 Quality Standards of Tourism Services
4 Types of Tourism Planning
5 Levels of Tourism Planning

Planning in tourism is setting and achieving the goals, keeping constraints in mind such as time, money etc. there are many approaches involved in tourism planning such as bottom-up approach, collaborative, boosterism, interactive, integrated etc. If you talk about planning in tourism in developing countries, it is generally taken by consultancy firms. But it has only been in the 1990s that tourism has been thought as a serious planning activity (Gunn, 1990; WTO 1994).

Tourism planning occurs at all levels international, national, regional and for specific areas and sites. National and regional planning establishes the policies, physical and institutional structures, standards for developments, while the local bodies generally implement them.

In 1992, Gunn spotted out that tourism industry was the result of the tourist’s desire to visit a particular location and culminated when his desires got fulfilled. According to him, planning helps tourism by critically reviewing the various choices available & to choose the most appropriate plan, so that the destination achieves the desired results in terms of economic and social aspects.

Hence, wherever planning is involved in tourism, the various things important are- reviewing the ground position w.r.t resources available (capital, material, human); setting objectives; appraisal of the various plans, selection of the most appropriate plan in tandem with the local community support & approach and achieving the desired results.

Importance of Tourism Planning

At all levels of tourism in order to achieve success, planning is vital for managing and developing tourism. This has been exemplified by many tourism destinations throughout the globe that planning that also long term can only lead to economic, socio-cultural and ecological benefits to both local community and tourists.

Following are the importance of tourism planning:

Development of linkages and co-ordination of tourism with other sectors through policy formulation.
Ascertaining the objectives and tourism policy in order to realize the goals.
Preserving & conserving the resources (natural/cultural/man-made) efficiently and effectively, so that they are also kept for coming generations also.
Planning can be used to upgrade and revitalize existing outmoded or badly developed tourism areas. Through the planning process, new tourism areas.
Integrating tourism policy at national, regional and local level.
Helps in making a tourism framework for effectual execution of hard work done both by public & private sector. The public sector creates an environment conducive for tourism development, while the private sector pours financial assets for developing tourism.
Helps in the harmonized growth of the various elements of the tourist sector through co-ordination and involvement.
It helps to maximize the benefits (economic, socio-cultural and ecological) to local community; poor people etc and help in impartial distribution of the benefits to everyone.
t helps to minimize the negative impacts of tourism, if any.
Right type of planning can ensure that the natural and cultural resources for tourism are indefinitely maintained and not destroyed or degraded in the process of development.
Developing specialized training facilities.
Achieving controlled tourism development requires special organizational structures, marketing strategies and promotion programmes, legislation and regulations, and fiscal measures.
Planning provides a rational basis for development staging and project programming. These are important for both the public and private sectors in their investment planning.
It promotes rational thinking and development for tourism growth and expansion.
It helps in formulation of a skeleton framework which directs the tourism development in terms of facilities, infrastructure, services and attractions.
Helps in formulation of tourism policy, plans and effective management of tourism areas, facilities etc.
Helps in creation of guidelines and standards which help in preparing detailed plans for developing tourism destinations and circuits.
Helps in incessant monitoring of the developmental activities of tourism.
Positioning tourism as a major engine of economic growth.
Developing suitable marketing plans with realistic, practical and sustainable targets.
Employing sustainable environmental practices.
Review of tourism polices and their evaluation.
Development of planning criterion and analysis of resources.
Providing adequate recreation opportunities and facilities in the tourist destination and tourist circuits.
Proper land- use and planning of the physical spaces.
Allocating an adequate level of funding for tourism programmes

In order to develop tourism, planning is done at all levels of tourism through policy formulation and planning activities. Though the nature and type of planning vary from one country to another ranging from developed to least developed countries.

But, tourism planning should have a firm foundation for which good research and study of the grass-roots level is very essential. Also, the plans need to be revised again & again based on the study results and likely future trends but retaining the basic structure.

Constraints in Tourism Planning

The constraints in tourism planning are:

Lack of community participation : The unwillingness of the people to participate in the tourism activity limits its future. The tourism planning and in fact tourism can only give positive results, if it receives people support at every stage of tourism process.
Limited budgets: Usually, government provides low or limited budgets to the tourism a Industry. And this makes tourism a very limited process.
Accuracy and reliability of market data: for planning and management is also a serious problem in tourism. If the market information is incomplete or hazy, then also the goals of the tourism planning would be affected.
Low priority accorded to the tourism sector: No, doubt, there has been a positive mindset w.r.t tourism in the Indian economy. But, still this sector deserves much more, then it has received.
The poor quality of infrastructure & facilities present at the attractions: also act as a constraint in tourism planning and development.
Quality of transportation service: The quality and quantity of transportation service is not very good. And needs great improvement.
Multiplicity and high level of taxation: also gives less inspiration to the tourism entrepreneurs and creates more & more obstacles for the tourism.
Facilitation of entry of tourists at ports(Airport/seaport/land port): The lengthy procedures involved in immigration should be made reasonable without giving the visitors much botheration and anxiety, before they visit the country for tourist purpose.
Poor communication & awareness: A sound plan without clear communication can lead to duplication of endeavors and create differences among the stakeholders of tourism. It can also lead to occurrence of feuds among the stakeholders and create complexity.
Conflict of interest: At times, the tourism policies can lead to conflict of interest among the stakeholders and create questions at the very start of the tourism planning. Hence, whenever policies are framed the local community should be involved at all levels, so that tourism policies not lead to planning failures.

Management constraints

Legislative constraints and adherence to rules/regulations/ executive orders: Touism planning will have to abide rules & regulation related to environment, wildlife, local resources. And at times, it also creates impediments for the overall tourism project or plan for a particular tourism area/destination or tourism project.
Environmental constraints: The presence of wetland, certain wildlife species, sensitive habitat, steep slopes, unstable soil, hazardous geologic conditions, tectonic movement, seismicity, critical habitat, lack of land base are the limiting factors or constraints in tourism development. And their incidence can create problems for infrastructure development and tourism planning.
Carrying capacity constraints: Carrying capacity is the ability of a place to accommodate fixed number of individuals without affecting the ecology of the place. But, if this threshold increases, then it affects the ecology and resource base of that place. Carrying capacity can be divided into four types i.e. (1) social, (2) physical, (3) environmental (or ecological), and (4) facility. So, all these carrying capacity are adversely affected, if the number of individuals increases. This is one of the biggest constraints in the tourism planning as it is often violated in tourism.
Apt understanding of ground realities: The improper understanding of ground realities can also lead to creation of tourism polices and tourism planning, which leads to no results. Hence, the policies become rudimental often at its inception stage.
Inactivity dilemma: For the tourism planning process, the nodal agency involved may have large infrastructure, bureaucracy, man power involved but may suffer from the fear of change. This mental state creates a lot of obstacles in the tourism planning.

Scope in Tourism Planning

Tourism planning has come a long way in the tourism development process. But still, there is ample scope for betterment. The scope of Tourism planning are briefly explained below:

Accommodation

Tourist activities, product development, tourism zoning, marketing and promotion, institutional framework, statistics and research, legislation and regulation, quality standards of tourism services.

Accessibility plays an important role in tourism planning. It provides mobility to not only the tourists, but also the tourism policy or plan. If the means of transport such as land, air and water are developed, it also makes ground for implementing the tourism plan at the grass-root level.

Accommodation is one of the important A’s of the tourism industry. It also increases the carrying capacity of a place by accommodating more tourists. But, currently in India, if we want to increase the flow of tourists, then we also need more hotels or accommodation facilities to accommodate them. Hence, the tourism plans should give a priority to develop them.

The tourist activities such as adventure activities, non-adventure activities, experiential activities in tourism such as in rural tourism, village tourism, Geotourism, ecotourism should be given more space in tourism development. And, these should be developed along with tourism concept as it gives more innovation to tourism, apart from enhancing the variety of experience to the tourists.

The diversity of the tourism product should be enhanced to give a variety of experiences to all tourists suiting their age, taste and culture. Also, emphasis should be laid down to develop the tourism product through quality gradation and innovation.

Also, importance should be given to developing a native product which is unique, indigenous to the land and helps in portraying the image of the land in terms of its culture, heritage, cuisine, festivals, folklores, traditions, dance forms, dresses etc.

Tourism zoning is an important aspect involved in tourism destination planning. It divides the tourist destination into various regions and segregates the tourist activity in those regions.

Marketing and Promotion are important elements in tourism planning and development. It needs more improvement in case of India. As, the tourism product of India is very diverse, indigenous and unique, still it lags in attracting the number of tourists. So, surely it is an area in tourism planning which needs great attention and careful planning.

Tourism development in India is institutionalized at a central level, state level and local level. But, still, there are large lacunas associated with it. The coordination of the institutions is delayed due to non-streamlined procedures, bureaucracy, nepotism, corruption etc and hampering the state of tourism in the country.

The tourism planning in India, still requires more research base and groundwork, prior to making the tourism policies. And, hence, if we want to improve our tourism planning and tourism policy, the research wings for the tourism industry have to be made sound and strong.

The existing legislation and regulations need to be revised to match up the current environment. Also, the legislation should be made keeping in mind the perspectives of all the stakeholders. They should not be made just by keeping the tourist in mind.

There has been great growth in the tourist infrastructure. But, in order to increase tourism competitiveness, importance have to be given on the quality of services and facilities. Also, the pricing of the tourism services is a big question. And, they should be made affordable keeping in consideration not only the foreign tourists, but also the domestic tourists whose role can also not be ignored.

Types of Tourism Planning

There are ‘n’ numbers of types of Tourism Planning. Some important ones are as follows:

Spatial Tourism Planning: The space as well as the environment is scrutinized for creating good quality infrastructure e.g. Jim Corbett National Park.
Sectorial Tourism Planning: Region to be developed is divided in to various broad sections called sectors e.g. South East Asia
Integrated Tourism Planning: Parts of a tourist region are integrated so that the region becomes a hot destination.
Complex Tourism Planning: When several regions are considered for planning which are far away e.g. Char Dham Yatra.
Centralized Tourism Planning: Single authority, usually state or central Government, no private sector intervenes.
Decentralized Tourism Planning: Parties who are keen to develop the spot, Government do not interfere. But it provides financial support.
Urban – modern infrastructure
Rural – culture, history, built from scratch

Levels of Tourism Planning

Tourism planning is implemented at different levels from the general level which may apply to an entire country or region down to the local level which may apply to detail planning for specific resort.

What is important to emphasize is the tourism planning and development must be integrated among all levels to take into account different levels of concern and to avoid duplication of efforts and policies.

Each level involves different considerations as follows:

International level: Tourism planning at the international level involves more than one country and includes areas such as international transportation services, joint tourism marketing, regional tourism polices and standards, cooperation between sectors of member countries, and other cooperative concerns.
National level: Tourism planning at the national level is concerned with national tourism policy, structure planning, transportation networks within the country, major tourism attractions, national level facility and service standards, investment policy, tourism education and training, and marketing of tourism.
Regional level: Tourism planning at the regional level generally is done by provinces, states, or prefectures involving regional policy and infrastructure planning, regional access and transportation network, and other related functions at the regional level.
Local or community level: Tourism planning at the local level involves sub regions, cities, towns, villages, resorts, rural areas and some tourist attractions. This level of planning may focus on tourism area plans, land use planning for resorts, and planning for other tourism facilities and attractions.
Site planning level: Site planning refers to planning for specific location of buildings and structures, recreational facilities, conservation and landscape areas and other facilities carried out for specific development sites such as tourism Uttarakhand Open University 48 resorts and may also involve the design of buildings, structures, landscaping and engineering design based on the site plan.

Please Share This Share this content

Opens in a new window X
Opens in a new window Facebook
Opens in a new window Pinterest
Opens in a new window LinkedIn
Opens in a new window Reddit
Opens in a new window WhatsApp

Architectural landmarks of west bengal, tourist demand, jain pilgrimages, art galleries, barriers in tourism planning: economic, natural resources, community, government, best resorts in the world, this post has one comment.

Your notes are up-to-date, thanks so much

Process, elements, and stages of tourism planning and development

a lecture handout about the complete process of planning for tourism development, including its elements and stages of development.

Related Papers

Jovica Mojic

The objectives of this study were to explore tourism as one of the fastest growing segments of the tourism industry, and to be more involved in their development strategies, as a means of economic diversification, employment growth and higher standards of living. The idea is that tourist destinations are essentially present as an institutional framework for tourism development design concept. Materials and methods relevant methods and techniques in the monitoring of the literature. Research findings are described in the capacity of certain features, presented in direct relation to the engagement of the identified and selected resource base for tourism development. Explored the concept and classification of tourism resources, tourism resources evaluation, internal and external factors evaluation, the concept of creating a tourist destination with the elements and types of tourist destinations, tourist destinations and development of tourism products and destinations. Contribution to research is reflected in application importance and its results can be incorporated into the official tourism development strategy.

Olumide Metilelu

Abstract Tourism in developing nation is gradually witnessing dramatic changes as it is used in strengthening their economy, creating employment and generation of income .A host of developing countries are now grappling with the choice of using tourism as an alternative economic strategy. The general perception that tourism generates foreign exchange earnings has geared many nations in Africa to adopt tourism as a development strategy. Tourism interacts with several other industry and sectors, therefore there is no limit to its contribution to the economy.. It therefore connotes that visitors travel to a particular destination based on several reasons, either for leisure, or business or perhaps for any other special reason as may be desired by the visitor. Whatever factor that may have pull the visitor, there is a corresponding labour that will cater for the demand of the tourists. This however explains the entire activities that interact during the activity of tourism. This study will adopt Medlik (1993) definition to justify the choice of Olumo rock as a tourist destination the definition suggests that tourism destination as “countries, regions, town or other areas visited by tourists...The study will focus on the use of Butlers (1980) model on ‘Tourism Area Life Cycle generally throughout this paper, however there are several criticism against the theory. Haywood (1996) criticize the model whether it could be operational and further compliment his view by offering useful concept to make the model operational, this include unit of analysis, relevant market, pattern and stages of the TALC, identification of the area shape in the life cycle, determination of the unit of measurement, and determination of the relevant unit. It is within this context that Olumo rock in the Ikija area of Abeokuta in Nigeria is considered as a tourist destination, sharing the principle that underline the position of Medilk(1993)concept classifying destination as counties, regions, town or other areas visited by tourist. The study noted that employment and job generation is highly consistent with the stages of the destination particularly engagement of casual labour which is predominant in the study area. Keywords: Tourism, Employment, job generation, Tourism Area Life Cycle,

Diane Lee , Mary Hollick

Disclaimer The technical reports present data and its analysis, meta-studies and conceptual studies, and are considered to be of value to industry, government or other researchers. Unlike the Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre's (STCRC's) Monograph series, these reports have not been subjected to an external peer review process. As such, the scientific accuracy and merit of the research reported here is the responsibility of the authors, who should be contacted for clarification of any content. Author contact details are at the back of this report. The views and opinions of the authors expressed in the reports or by the authors if you contact them do not necessarily state or reflect those of the STCRC. While all reasonable efforts have been made to gather the most current and appropriate information, the STCRC does not give any warranty as to the correctness, completeness or suitability of the information, and disclaims all responsibility for and shall in no eve...

Meredith Wray

This report presents findings of a three-year research project undertaken to determine what regional tourism stakeholders have learnt from practice, and what they consider to have contributed to best practice, for the sustainable planning, management, development and marketing of regional tourism destinations in Australia.

Yustisia Pasfatima Mbulu

Tourist destination must have four components which include tourist attraction, good accessibility, and availability of various facilities, such as accommodation, restaurant, shopping and other service and tourism organizations. This research specially focuses on an emerging tourist destination named Tamansari Ciapus in the city for Bogor, West Java. It aims to examine the roles of a resort accommodation, located in the area, in supporting the new destination. The research also wants to look at the roles and potential of local village communities in developing community-based tourism destination. It uses descriptive qualitative method of data collection through surveys, field observations and interviews, FGD, and methods of SWOT (Strength, Weakness, and Treat, Opportunity analysis). The result of this research show that the role of resort accommodation, in this case The Highland Park Hotel, is quite important the development of Tamansari Ciapus as a new destination. In many case, the resort is the very reason the visitors come to the area. However, such a role have not optimum yet for example there is not a cooperation between the resort, other attraction owners in the area (silk, mushroom cultivation, and other home industries) and also the local community. The resort guests, for instance, seldom, visit area outside the resort. The role of the community is also quite significant in developing the area as a village tourism destination. Community organizations have been formed and tour packages have been developed although the market is still limited. On the other hand that community in more increase to be tour guides, integrated souvenir centers and professionally- managed home stay. Keywords: destinations, hotels, community - based tourism

International Scientific Journal PROCEDIA – Social and Behavioral Sciences, ISSN: 1877-0428

Michael Risteski

It becomes evident that the increase and expansion of tourism markets, also the creation of larger and more numerous tourist destinations, or the growth of the overall tourism industry which is expected to advance in the coming decades as never before, will cause enormous effects on the economy, cultural identity, as well as on the physical environment. It is required on a global level, to adequately distribute the development of tourism resorts and destinations, as well as to deal with the dangers that can arise and are related to overcrowding which can cause unsustainable development of the most visited and most attractive tourism places. The aim of the paper is to present the importance of the contemporary changes in tourism which requires adaptation of all participants in the creation of the tourism offer in given destinations. The destinations start to be considered as complex wholes with an aim to ensure competitiveness on the tourism market. Sustainable tourism has become a separate category of selective tourism offer. Destinations become to be a set of joint tourism products and services, which implies the active participation of all stakeholders. New concepts for achieving competitiveness have been developed such as: development of sustainable destinations, destination management planning and implementation of integrated quality management.

Mạnh Tuấn Đinh

Destination marketing is increasingly becoming extremely competitive worldwide. This paper explains the destination concept and attempts to synthesise several models for strategic marketing and management of destinations. It provides an overview of several techniques widely used and illustrates examples from around the world. The paper also explains that marketing of destinations should balance the strategic objectives of all stakeholders as well the sustainability of local resources. Destinations need to differentiate their products and develop partnerships between the public and private sector locally in order to co-ordinate delivery. Taking advantage of new technologies and the Internet also enables destinations to enhance their competitiveness by increasing their visibility, reducing costs and enhancing local co-operation. Destination marketing must lead to the optimisation of tourism impacts and the achievement of the strategic objectives for all stakeholders.

Tourism management

Sadia Shaikh

Ann' Arissara

What are the 7 steps of the tourism planning process?

Step 1: Understanding the Destination

Step 2: setting goals and objectives, step 3: identifying stakeholders, step 4: tourism product development, step 5: marketing and promotion, step 6: implementation and monitoring, step 7: sustainable tourism development, 1. how long does the tourism planning process typically take, 2. what are some common challenges faced during the tourism planning process, 3. how can destinations ensure community engagement in the planning process, 4. can tourism planning help promote off-season visitation, 5. how can technology be integrated into the tourism planning process, 6. is sustainable tourism development economically feasible, 7. how can destinations measure the success of their tourism planning efforts, what are the 7 steps of the tourism planning process.

Tourism planning is a complex and multidimensional process that involves various stages and considerations. The 7 steps of the tourism planning process provide a framework for destinations and organizations to effectively develop and manage their tourism strategies. These steps encompass everything from identifying resources and opportunities to implementing marketing plans. In this article, we will explore each step in detail, shedding light on the key components and considerations involved.

Before embarking on any tourism development, it is essential to have a deep understanding of the destination. This involves conducting comprehensive research to analyze the current tourism trends, market demand, and potential stakeholders. By gathering this data, destinations can identify their unique selling points, target audience, and opportunities for growth. Understanding the destination’s competitive advantage and its market positioning is crucial for effective planning and decision-making.

Once a clear understanding of the destination’s potential is established, the next step is to set goals and objectives. These goals should align with the destination’s overall vision and take into account factors such as sustainability, economic growth, and social impact. Setting measurable and realistic targets allows destinations to track their progress and make adjustments along the way. Stakeholders from both the public and private sectors play a vital role in defining these goals and ensuring their successful implementation.

A successful tourism planning process requires collaboration and engagement with various stakeholders. Identifying and involving stakeholders from the outset is essential to ensure their perspectives, interests, and expertise are considered. These stakeholders include local communities, government representatives, tourism operators, NGOs, and other relevant organizations. By fostering an inclusive and participatory approach, destinations can harness the collective knowledge and resources of different stakeholders, resulting in more sustainable and impactful tourism development.

Creating and enhancing tourism products and experiences is a crucial step in the planning process. Destinations must identify and develop unique attractions, accommodations, activities, and services that are aligned with their target market’s preferences. This can involve diversifying existing products, innovation, and incorporating authentic cultural elements. The goal is to create a compelling and differentiated destination offering that sets the destination apart from competitors and provides a memorable experience for visitors.

Once the tourism products have been developed, it is important to effectively market and promote the destination to its target audience. This step involves developing a comprehensive marketing strategy that includes branding, advertising, digital marketing, public relations, and partnerships. Leveraging the power of digital platforms and social media channels is crucial in reaching and engaging with potential visitors. Destinations should also consider collaborating with travel agencies, tour operators, and other industry partners to maximize their marketing reach.

Implementing the tourism plan requires careful coordination and management. This step involves allocating resources, coordinating various stakeholders, and ensuring timely execution. Regular monitoring and evaluation of the plan’s progress are vital to identify any gaps or necessary adjustments. Key performance indicators (KPIs) should be defined and measured to track the plan’s success and identify areas for improvement. This step is an iterative process that allows destinations to adapt to changing market dynamics and emerging opportunities.

Sustainability is a crucial aspect of the tourism planning process. Destinations must consider the environmental, social, and cultural impacts of tourism and strive for balanced and responsible development. This involves integrating sustainability principles into every stage of the planning process, from resource management to community engagement. Sustainable tourism practices not only protect natural and cultural assets but also contribute to the long-term competitiveness and resilience of the destination.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The duration of the tourism planning process can vary depending on the complexity of the destination and the stakeholders involved. It can range from several months to years to complete the entire process, considering research, consultation, strategy development, and implementation.

Several challenges can arise during the tourism planning process, such as conflicting stakeholder interests, limited financial resources, lack of infrastructure, changing market dynamics, and maintaining a balance between tourism growth and environmental/cultural preservation.

To ensure community engagement, destinations should adopt a participatory approach by involving local communities in decision-making processes, consulting with them regularly, and considering their needs and aspirations. This involvement fosters a sense of ownership and allows for more sustainable and inclusive tourism development.

Yes, tourism planning can help promote off-season visitation by identifying and developing unique experiences or attractions that appeal to visitors during the low season. Marketing strategies can be tailored to highlight the advantages and special events that make visiting during the off-season attractive.

Technology plays a vital role in the tourism planning process, from market research and data analysis to digital marketing and destination management systems. It can help monitor visitor flows, analyze trends, target specific markets, and enhance the overall visitor experience through innovative solutions.

Yes, sustainable tourism development can be economically feasible and even beneficial in the long run. While initial investments may be needed to implement sustainable practices, they can help attract environmentally conscious visitors, reduce operating costs, foster community support, and create a positive destination image.

Destinations can measure the success of their tourism planning efforts by evaluating key performance indicators (KPIs) defined during the planning process. These KPIs can include visitor arrivals, length of stay, expenditure, satisfaction levels, community support, and environmental impact, among others. Regular monitoring and evaluation allow destinations to make data-driven decisions and continuously improve their tourism strategies.

About The Author

Kelvin tabron, leave a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Encyclopedia of Tourism pp 725–728 Cite as

Bihu Wu 3 &
Alastair M. Morrison 4
Reference work entry
First Online: 01 January 2016

156 Accesses

Tourism as an activity in a destination is created through the existence of unique attractions and events. These may include beaches, natural scenery, parks, historical buildings and landmarks, unique cultural characteristics, one of a kind local events and festivals, and outdoor sports and recreation activities. If a destination area wants to maintain tourism as a long-term economic activity, it must have planning to preserve and enhance the special features that make it different from all other destinations.

Tourism planning is a “strategic activity comprising a number of stages that lead to the determination of a course of action to meet predetermined tourism goals. Tourism planning is concerned with the future; is devoted to acquiring knowledge and identifying appropriate courses of action; and is about anticipating change, developing a strategic vision and facilitating decisionmaking” (Dredge and Jenkins 2007 : 467). Tourism planning has five basic purposes: identifying...

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution .

Buying options

Available as PDF
Read on any device
Instant download
Own it forever
Available as EPUB and PDF
Durable hardcover edition
Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Dredge, D., and J. Jenkins. 2007 Tourism Planning and Policy. Milton: Wiley.

Google Scholar

Fahey, L., and W. King. 1977 Environmental Scanning for Corporate Planning. Business Horizons 20(4):61-71.

Article Google Scholar

Gunn, C. 1979 Tourism Planning. New York: Crane Russak.

Hall, C. 2008 Tourism Planning: Policies, Processes and Relationships. Harlow: Pearson Education.

Inskeep, E. 1981 Tourism Planning: An Integrated and Sustainable Development Approach. New York: Wiley.

Inskeep, E. 1994 National and Regional Tourism Planning: Methodologies and Case Studies. Madrid: World Tourism Organization.

Mason, P. 2008 Tourism Impacts, Planning and Management. London: Taylor & Francis.

Mill, R., and A. Morrison 2012 The Tourism System. Dubuque: Kendall Hunt.

Morrison, A. 2013 Marketing and Managing Tourism Destinations. London: Routledge.

Wu, B. 2001 Regional Tourism Planning Principles. Beijing: China Travel and Tourism Press.

Download references

Author information

Authors and affiliations.

College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Yiheyuan Rd, 100871, Beijing, China

College of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue University, 101 N Grant St #110, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA

Alastair M. Morrison

You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bihu Wu .

Editor information

Editors and affiliations.

University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, USA

Jafar Jafari

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China

Honggen Xiao

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

About this entry

Cite this entry.

Wu, B., Morrison, A.M. (2016). Planning. In: Jafari, J., Xiao, H. (eds) Encyclopedia of Tourism. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-01384-8_147

Download citation

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-01384-8_147

Published : 25 June 2016

Publisher Name : Springer, Cham

Print ISBN : 978-3-319-01383-1

Online ISBN : 978-3-319-01384-8

eBook Packages : Business and Management Reference Module Humanities and Social Sciences Reference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences

Why tourism planning is important

Disclaimer: Some posts on Tourism Teacher may contain affiliate links. If you appreciate this content, you can show your support by making a purchase through these links or by buying me a coffee . Thank you for your support!

Tourism planning should be an integral part of any destination’s tourism development plan in order to achieve the best results and satisfy all stakeholders. Tourism planning is key to maintaining sustainable tourism and whilst some destinations do this very well, others (often developing countries), fail the recognise the importance of effective tourism development planning.

In this post I will explain why tourism planning is so important and recommend some literature for further reading on this topic. This information on tourism planning should be helpful to a number of tourism stakeholders, including business entrepreneurs, Government bodies and tourism workers. It is also useful for those studying travel and tourism as well as those who have a general interest in the subject. For an introduction to the concept of tourism policy and planning visit this post- ‘ The different levels of tourism policy and planning ‘.

Wait! Before you read on, take a look at the short video that I created all about the importance of tourism planning!

What is tourism planning?

Tourism development refers to the growth and maintenance of the tourism industry in a given locality. And, of course, tourism planning is a very important part of this.

On a basic level, tourism development can be defined as creating strategies and plans to increase/develop/encourage tourism for a destination. The fundamental reason behind planning and implementing strategies for developing the tourism sector is primarily to make money and to subsequently increase the GDP of a country/area.

You might also be interested in my post- ‘ What is tourism? A definition of tourism ‘

Tourism development consists of many elements including, but not limited to: developing and managing private-public partnerships, assessing the competitors to gain competitive advantage, ensuring responsible and sustainable development, viewing tourism as an interconnected system and a demand-driven sector, assessing private sector investment and international cooperation, tourism clustering and involvement by the Government.

Why tourism development planning is important

According to Williams cited in Mason (2003);

‘The aim of modern planning is to seek optimal solutions to perceived problems and that it is designed to increase and, hopefully maximise development benefits, which will produce predictable outcomes’.

And Getz (1987) cited in Pearce (1989) defines tourism planning as;

“A process, based on research and evaluation, which seeks to optimise the potential contribution of tourism to human welfare and environmental quality”

Tourism development planning should be an integral part of any destination’s tourism plan in order to achieve the best results and satisfy all stakeholders. Tourism development planning is key to maintaining sustainable tourism and whilst some destinations do this very well, others (often developing countries), fail the recognise the importance of effective tourism development planning.

What is tourism development planning?

Tourism development refers to the growth and maintenance of the tourism industry in a given locality. And, of course, planning is a very important part of this.

Basic stages in tourism development planning

Tourism development planning is no simple task and there are many variables to consider. There are also different levels of tourism planning and policy . Fortunately , destinations can learn lessons from other areas which have been successful or otherwise. Take for example, over dependence on tourism in Egypt as I explain in this post- Why Unpaid Business is Better than No Business: The Case of the Egyptian Boatman. It is also worthwhile to look at the tourism policies of similar destinations. Some strong examples include Jamaica and Cape Town .

On a basic level, the main stages in tourism development planning include: the analysis of previous tourist development; evaluation of the position of tourism in the area including competition; formulation of relevant tourism policy by Government; the defining of a development strategy and the formation of a programme of action.

The benefits of tourism development

Tourism development planning enables a range of benefits to all stakeholders involved, for example:

It increases income and jobs from tourist spending
It helps preserve cultural and natural heritage for tourists
It increases understanding of other cultures
It builds new facilities such as sewage for whole communities or new roads

The costs of tourism development

There are also some costs which must be considered and planned for, which include:

Costs of implementing tourist facilities can be costly
The environment can be destructed to make room for hotels etc. to be built
Social standards may be undermined e.g. topless women in Dubai
The natural environment may be polluted

Formulating an approach to tourism policy and planning

There are six ‘golden rules’ that should be applied when formulating an approach to tourism policy and planning, as outlined by Inskeep (1991).

Goal oriented

Clear recognition of tourism’s role in achieving broad national and community goals

Integrative

Incorporating tourism policy and planning into the mainstream of planning for the economy, land use and infrastructure, conservation and environment

Market driven

Planning for tourism development that trades successfully in a competitive global marketplace

Resource driven

Developing tourism which build on the destination’s inherent strengths whilst protecting and enhancing the attributes and experiences of current tourism assets

Consultative

Incorporating the wider community attitudes, needs and wants to determine what is acceptable to the population

Drawing on primary or secondary research to provide conceptual or predictive support for planners including the experiences of other tourism destinations

Why tourism development planning is important

Tourism development planning really can make or break a destination. If done well, it can ensure the longevity of the tourism industry in the area, take good care of the environment, have positive economic outcomes and a positive benefit to the community.

If done badly , tourism development can destroy the very environment or culture that it relies on. It can disrupt local economies, cause inflation and negative effects to local people and businesses. Unfortunately, developing countries tend to suffer the most from negative impacts such as these, largely as a result of limited education and experience in contrast with Western nations. For more on this topic, you can read this post.

If you wish to cite any of the content in the post please use reference ‘Stainton, Hayley. (2018) Lifeasabutterfly .’

§§cs§§

For more on what constitutes tourism planning I recommend that you refer to the texts Tourism Policy and Planning: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow by Edgell and Swanson and Tourism Planning and Destination Marketing by Camilleri .

Tourism development planning is no simple task and there are many variables to consider. There are also different levels of tourism planning and policy. Fortunately, destinations can learn lessons from other areas which have been successful or otherwise. Take for example, over dependence on tourism in Egypt as I explain in this post- Why Unpaid Business is Better than No Business: The Case of the Egyptian Boatman. It is also worthwhile to look at the tourism policies of similar destinations. Some strong examples include Jamaica and Cape Town .

You might also be interested in my post- ‘ Best Universities In The UK To Study Travel and Tourism ‘

There are six ‘golden rules’ that should be applied when formulating an approach to tourism planning and policy, as outlined by Inskeep (1991).

You might also be interested in my post- ‘ What is ‘begpacking’ and why is it so bad ?’

Tourism planning really can make or break a destination. If done well, it can ensure the longevity of the tourism industry in the area, take good care of the environment, have positive economic outcomes and a positive benefit to the community.

If done badly, tourism development can destroy the very environment or culture that it relies on. It can disrupt local economies, cause inflation and negative effects to local people and businesses. Unfortunately, developing countries tend to suffer the most from negative impacts such as these, largely as a result of limited education and experience in contrast with Western nations.

For more on this topic, I recommend the following texts:

Tourism Policy and Planning: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Tourism Planning and Destination Marketing

Leisure, Sport and Tourism, Politics, Policy and Planning

Tourism Planning: Policies, Processes and Relationships

Liked this article? Click to share!

Article Submission
Basics of Geography
Book Reviews
Disaster Management
Field Training and Tour
Geography Notes
Geography of Tourism
Geography Study Material for NTA-NET & IAS Exams
Geomorphology Class Black Board
Hindi Posts
Human Geography
My Projects
Online Class
Physical Geography
Posts on Geography Practicals and Statistical Techniques
North America
South East Asia
South West Asia
Settlement Geography
Social Geography
UGC NET Geography Topics
Urban Systems

Useful Links

Water Resources
About Me and This Site

Tourism Planning: Overview and Importance

What is tourism planning.

…. And What is Planning per se.

Planning is to prepare a Road Map to achieve goals.

The principal phases of an urban planning process are:

Preparatory / exploration phase
Feasibility/planning phase
Formal planning/zoning phase
Design and implementation phase
Operational phase

D.Getz (1987) defines tourism planning as” a process, based on research and evaluation, which seeks to optimize the potential contribution of tourism to human welfare and environmental quality”.

According to Faludi (1973) “Planning is a very important part of the process by which tourism is managed by governments at the national, local and organizational levels”.

If you search online for countries that have had success in planning their tourism, most of them are viewed as great travel destinations. Even to the point that people visit these countries with the guarantee that their travel vlogs will get youtube subscribers . In this day and age, that’s a marker of success.

Tourism development consists of many elements :

developing and managing private-public partnerships,
assessing the competitors to gain competitive advantage and
Ensuring responsible and sustainable development.

Viewing tourism as an interconnected system and a demand-driven sector, assessing private sector investment and international cooperation, tourism clustering and involvement by the Government.

According to Williams cited in Mason (2003);

‘The aim of modern planning is to seek optimal solutions to perceived problems and that it is designed to increase and, hopefully maximise development benefits, which will produce predictable outcomes’.

We should take Planning tourism as an integrated System. Tourism industry is viewed as an inter-related system of demand and supply factors. The demand factors are international and domestic tourist markets and the local resident community who use the tourist facilities and services. The supply factors consist of the tourist attractions and activities as natural and manmade attractions like waterfalls, forests, beaches, monuments, zoos, etc.,

What Planning Should and Should Not Be

Basic Stages in Tourism Development Planning

Tourism development planning is a complex task.There are many variables to consider. There are different levels of tourism planning and policy.

On a basic level, the main stages in tourism development planning include:

Analyses of earlier tourist developments
Evaluation of the of status tourism in the area
Evaluation of the competitors
Formulation of Government Policies
Defining a development strategy and the formation of a programme of action.
The Implications of Planning

Planning enables a range of benefits to all stakeholders involved, for example:

Increases income and jobs
It helps preserve cultural and natural heritage
It increases understanding of other cultures
It builds new infrastructure facilities

(Read more here on Impacts of Tourism)

The impacts of tourism can be sorted into seven general categories:

Environmental
Social and cultural
Crowding and congestion
Community attitude

The costs of Tourism Development

There are also some costs which must be considered and planned for, which include:

Costs of implementing tourist facilities can be costly
The environment can be destructed to make room for hotels etc. to be built
Social standards may be undermined e.g. topless women in Dubai
The natural environment may be polluted

Formulating an approach to tourism policy and planning

There are six ‘golden rules’ that should be applied when formulating an approach to tourism planning and policy, as outlined by Inskeep (1991).

Goal Oriented

Clear recognition of tourism’s role in achieving broad national and community goals

Integrative

Incorporating tourism policy and planning into the mainstream of planning for the economy, land use and infrastructure, conservation and environment

Market Driven

Planning for tourism development that trades successfully in a competitive global marketplace

Resource Driven

Developing tourism which builds on the destination’s inherent strengths whilst protecting and enhancing the attributes and experiences of current tourism assets.

Consultative

Incorporating the wider community attitudes, needs and wants to determine what is acceptable to the population

Drawing on primary or secondary research to provide conceptual or predictive support for planners including the experiences of other tourism destinations

Why Tourism Planning is Important

If executed badly, tourism development can destroy the very environment or culture that it relies on. It can disrupt local economies, cause inflation and negative effects to local people and businesses. Unfortunately, developing countries tend to suffer the most from negative impacts such as these, largely as a result of limited education and experience in contrast with Western nations.

Sources and Links:

About Rashid Faridi

4 responses to tourism planning: overview and importance.

Hello Friend, I am Hira Nizami and I am regularly read your articles. Your articles are very charming and entertainment. Its motivate me to make a blog, and write an article. You know I am beginner please visit my site.

https://specialbeautiesoftheworld.blogspot.com/2020/09/9-astonishing-unseen-view-must-see-in.html?m=1

https://specialbeautiesoftheworld.blogspot.com/2020/09/12-secrets-that-help-you-to-win-murree.html?m=1

https://specialbeautiesoftheworld.blogspot.com/2020/09/siri-paye-such-supernatural-place-you.html?m=1

Thank you so much sir it helped a lotttt

This page a big help to us for a better planning for the future in the field of research.

Thank you for simplifying the work

Total Visitors

Search inside, my you tube channel.

Jugraphia With Rashid Faridi

Visitors on The Site

Subscribe by Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this Blog.

Email Address:

Click Here to Subscribe

Fill This Form to Contact Me

Being Social

View rashidazizfaridi’s profile on Facebook
View rashidfaridi’s profile on Twitter
View rashidfaridi’s profile on Instagram
View rashidafaridi’s profile on Pinterest
View rashidazizfaridi’s profile on LinkedIn
A load of crap from an idle brain
Akhil Tandulwadikar’s Blog
Anast's World
Earth in Danger
Install Flipkart on your Mobile
Onionesque Reality
WordPress.com
WordPress.org

Digital Blackboards

Geomorphology Class Blackboard
My Page at AMU

Other Sites I Am Involved With

Bytes From All Over The Globe
Jugraphia Slate
Rakhshanda's Blog

Treasure Hunt

Buy Certificate Physical and Human Geography
Buy BHARAT KA BHUGOL 4th Edition from Flipkart.com
Buy BHUGOLIK CHINTAN KA VIKAS
INDIA A COMPREHENSIVE GEOGRAPHY by KHULLAR D.R.

Tourism Geography

Entries feed
Comments feed

Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
Subscribe Subscribed
Copy shortlink
Report this content
View post in Reader
Manage subscriptions
Collapse this bar

Tourism Planning

Tourism Planning: The written account of projected future course of action or scheme aimed at achieving or targeting specific goals or objectives within a specific time period is called a Plan. A Tourism plan explains in detail what needs to be done, when to be done, how to be done, and by whom to be done. It often includes best case, expected case, and worst case scenarios or situations.

A plan is usually a map or list of steps with timing and available resources, used to achieve an objective to do something. It is commonly understood as a temporary set of projected actions through which one believes that the goals or targets would be achieved.

Plans can be formal or informal:

Structured and formal plans, utilised by numerous people, are more likely to occur in projects, diplomacy, careers, economic development, military campaigns, combat, sports, games, agriculture, technology, tourism, IT, Telecommunication etc. or in the conduct of other businesses.

In most cases, the absence of a well-laid plan can have high effects: for example, a nonrobust project plan can cost the organization long time and high cost.

The persons to fulfill their various quests do informal or adhoc planning. But, what most importantly matters is the extensiveness, time interval, and preciousness of the plans. Though, all these planning categories are not self-governing and dependent on each other.

For example, there is an intimate connection between short-range and long-range plans and tactical (strategic) & functional (operational) planning classifications.

For businesses, sector planning’s (such as IT, telecommunication, services, banking, tourism, agriculture etc.) and military purposes formal plans used to a greater level. They are conceptualized, thought as abstract ideas, are likely to be written down, drawn up or otherwise stored in a form that is accessible to multiple people across time and space. This allows more reliable collaboration in the execution of the plan.

Tourism Planning and the Need for Tourism Planning

Planning is one of the most important project management and time management techniques or methods. It involves preparing or forming of a sequence of action steps to achieve some specific desired goals. If you do it effectively and efficiently, you can reduce much of the necessary time and effort used in achieving the goal.

A plan is like a map or a blueprint which would fetch you results slowly & steady according to a time frame. Whenever, you are following any plan, you are able to know how much you have neared to your assignment objectives or how much distant you are from your goals.

Why is planning important?

To set direction and priorities for the workforce in the organisation:

The strategy is the chief requirement of the organization, in order to achieve the targets. The strategies give the route and primacies (priorities) for your organization. It describes your organization’s perspective and gives an order to the activities that will make the perspective into reality.

Read more on World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA)

The plan will assist the team in achieving goals and also give them familiarity about the tasks. The plainly defined and appropriate strategy will give priority initiatives that will drive the maximum success.

To get everyone on the same room or the same box:

An organisation has different departments, but a single goal. That’s, why different departments work in a way that add to the goals of the organization.

Hence, a strategy is required, so that all actions move in one direction. Then only, the various departments such as marketing, administration, sales, operations etc. can move together to accomplish the anticipated goals of the organisation. Tourism Planning

To simplify decision-making process within the organisation:

Whenever, there are targets, there are different solutions. The team also may have new philosophies or probable solutions. Therefore, you need a definite plan, so there are no inhibiting factors.

To drive alignment:

Many a times, inspite of the best labour, you reach nowhere. The reason is that the efforts or labour is done in areas, which are of no use. Hence, the effort should coincide with the priorities or primacies. The plan serves as a vehicle for answering the enquiry, that “How well we can use all the resources such as material, man, machine etc. to upsurge our tactical (strategic) success?

To communicate the message to everyone:

The countless managers in the top level management know how to make an effective plan/strategy, at which position their organisation is, what they need to do and where they need to be there Many a time, the strategies are not written down and the various aspects in the plan are not linked systematically.

Then, only few members of your team can work towards your goals. Therefore, it’s very important that your team, staff, customers, suppliers and other stakeholder’s know your plan of action and strategy base, this will lead to better probability of success and more efforts pouring in. Tourism Planning

Also read Contribution of Tour Guiding in Sustainability

Once, you ascertain your goal, you are in a good position to make a solid proof plan in which role of each team member is defined. There are very less managers, who have understanding of situations and actually comprehend to make the greatest use of their part in smoothing policy (Eagles, McCool, Haynes, Philips, & United Nations Environment Programme, 2002).

Techniques of Plan formulation

It involves a number of steps:

Collection of information (data):

The most noteworthy phase of economic planning is the gathering of the economic data. The data not only contains economic defining variables, but also descriptive variables such as demographical, topographical, and political data. The economic planning also contains non-quantitative variables. And surely in order to collect appropriate data the planner should have intra-disciplinary as well as inter-disciplinary knowledge.

Deciding the nature and duration of the plan:

After the collection of data in context to the economy. Now the next step is deciding the nature and period (time duration) of the plan. Now, the planner has to decide the planning levels i.e. micro or macro basis, functional (practical) or structural (operational),centralised (central) or decentralised (distributed), long or medium or short term etc. The medium term plan generally comprises 5 years and is enough time periods to apply its drivers, strategies and approaches.

Also read Goals and objective of sustainable tourism development

Setting up of the objectives:

The third step after setting the nature and time period of the plan is setting the goals or objectives or aim of the plan. And, surely these objectives will have to be realized in a fixed time schedule. Generally, most of the objectives related to economy of the country are related to advanced progress rate of GNP, reduction in joblessness, eradication of local discrepancies, removal of illiteracy, growth of farming and manufacturing areas, etc.

After, the planner has analysed the ground situation and given the objectives. Now, the planner has to establish these objectives depending on the eminence/Significance to the individuals and the economy in totality.

Determination of growth rate:

While framing the plan, the planner has to determine the growth rate i.e. at what rate the economy will grow through this time interval. Whatever plan, the planner and policy makers decide at least, it should maintain the per capita income level of the country. The plan should be such that the per capita income do not decreases or affect the progress of the country negatively.

And, such a thing is possible, if the growth rate of GNP or growth rate of the country and growth rate or progress of the population is same. But this growth rate is least recommended. Rather, the planner will choose for that growth rate which is better than the population rate. “For example, if India wants to maintain its present per capita income while population is growing at the rate of 8% p.a., then the obligatory GNP growth rate should not be less than 8%. If we want to grow GNP by 8%, NI should grow @ 16%.

If the capital output ratio (COR) is 1:3, then we will have to invest 16% of GNP. While defining the growth rate, the planner must keep in view the growth rate of other adjoining or developing countries like Pakistan, China, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Bangladesh, etc.” Tourism Planning

Full utilisation of financial resources of the plan:

The utilization of resources including the fiscal resources should be in a way that the predetermined objectives are realized. The various resources used in a plan of a country are human resources, natural resources, technology, worthy governance, entrepreneurial skills, financial resources etc. Therefore, from these resources or sources advantages or profits can be achieved.

Read more Local Community Involvement in Tourism Development

Broadly it can be categorized into renewable or renewal resources. Advantages of resource application may be augmented prosperity or needs, appropriate operation of a system, or boosted welfare. With the resource allocation, resource management is also crucial in a plan. The various resources have three basic attributes- “utility, limited availability, and potential for depletion or consumption.”

In order to accomplish the planning requirements, outside (external) resources are also used, when internal (inside) resources fall short. The outside resources generally comprises of foreign relief and support, foreign grants, foreign direct investment, and foreign borrowings from various International Financial Institutions (IFI’s) and rich countries.

The role of government is important and cannot be ignored. They plan and take various roles depending upon the environment of the country. When, a country is developed, their role more becomes as a facilitator, while in case of developing or poor countries, they have to actively participate in it. They have to implement plans as well as pour on their resources.

Whenever, the plans have been made by the government, they are sent to the necessary departments with goals, necessary steps and outlays. Thereafter, the concerned ministries or departments see the feasibility of the sent projects and give recommendations about the feasibility (viability) of various schemes and projects of the plan. Here, the government organisations are asked of their keeping in mind the sectorial distribution and extent of the plan. There are also some projects where partnership occurs between governmental and private sectors. Here, the government may play role of a catalyst or facilitator and there may be some revenue sharing understandings.

Formation of economic policies:

In planning, plans are fine. The role of planners is fine. But, most importantly the plans should be able to give the desired results. The results should have more positive effects than the negative effects. Here, economic programmes, policies or strategies play a substantial role. As, they act as a gasoline to the locomotive of economic development. Also, the plans implemented should be based on ground or current scenario, rather than being picked from other countries, environments or sectors.

Plan execution:

The final phase of planning is plan operation. And, for actual implementation of plan, following conditions cannot be ignored:

The regime should be steady, truthful, genuine and productive.
The organisational (administrative) system should be well-organized,
i.e. free of nepotism, dishonesty, enticement, red tapism.
Upkeep of law and order inside the nation.
There should be equivalent level of involvement of both private and public sectors in economic growth.
Keep a check on convenience and electronic up keep of government records, monetary proclamations and cost statements. Tourism Planning
The opposition should be Watchful and productive. (Wagner, Frick, & Schupp, 2007)
Different countries use planning models/techniques dependent upon the nature of the economy.
The availability of the data, the volume to use and manage such techniques and models.

Read more Tourism Policy formulation Bodies in India

Market Segmentation

Nature Based Tourism

Sustainability Principles and Developments

IMAGES

Why Tourism Planning Is Important
PPT
Process, elements, and stages of tourism planning and development
Why Tourism Planning Is Important
Tourism Planning: Importance, Benefits, Types & Levels / Geography
PPT

COMMENTS

Different levels of tourism policy and planning
The national level of tourism planning is concerned with: tourism policy; infrastructure facilities and a physical structure plan which includes important tourist attractions, selected tourism development regions, international entry points, facilities, and services. It is also concerned with: the amount, kinds, and quality of accommodation and ...
Tourism Planning: Importance, Benefits, Types & Levels
In 1987 D.Getz defined tourism planning as "a process, based on research and evaluation, which seeks to optimize the potential contribution of tourism to human welfare and environmental quality". ... Levels of Tourism Planning. Planning and policy for the tourism industry occur at several levels. This can be done in a top-down approach, with ...
Tourism Planning: Importance, Benefits, Types & Levels
In 1987 D.Getz defined tourism planning as "a process, based on research and evaluation, which seeks to optimize the potential contribution of tourism to human welfare and environmental quality". ... Levels of Tourism Planning. Planning and policy for the tourism industry occur at several levels. This can be done in a top-down approach ...
Tourism Policy, Planning, and Development
A tourism policy is essentially a framework including guidelines, goals, and initiatives to work toward achieving the goals. Where as an act by government, such as the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 establishing Brand USA, is a law or statute. A policy for international travel is having a current passport and for many countries a Visa.
Tourism Planning: Importance, Constraints, Scope, Levels, Types
Inactivity dilemma: For the tourism planning process, the nodal agency involved may have large infrastructure, bureaucracy, man power involved but may suffer from the fear of change. This mental state creates a lot of obstacles in the tourism planning. ... National level: Tourism planning at the national level is concerned with national tourism ...
National and Regional Tourism Planning: Methodologies and Case Studies
This publication lays the foundation for tourism development of a country and its regions. It establishes the principal guidelines for preparing tourism development plans at the national and regional levels with emphasis on the integrated approach, balancing economic, environmental, and socio-cultural factors achieving sustainable tourism.
The Tourism Planning Process: A Comprehensive Guide
A tourism planning process is done mainly by a tourism office and relies on clear indicators to develop a thriving tourism plan. Moreover, tourism plans are most likely supervised and executed on ...
PDF CHAPTER 2: The Tourism Planning Process
7. Select the preferred alternative. 8. Implement the plan. 9. Monitor, evaluate, and revise the implementation. 10. Identify new problems and begin with the process again. Although this is a step-by-step procedure, it is actually a cycle as denoted by step #10.
Process, elements, and stages of tourism planning and development
Areas which are detailed in the master plan are: 1. Performing an in-depth marketing study 2. Designation and extent of land uses for tourism 3. Planning infrastructure facilities including roads, airports, walkways, drainage, sewage, water, power and other utilities. 4.
Full article: Sustainable tourism planning and management for
3. Tourism planning and management. According to Williams and Hall (Citation 2002:126), planning is, or should be, a process for anticipating and ordering change that is forward looking, that seeks optimal 'solutions, that is designed to increase and ideally maximise possible development benefits and, that will produce predictable outcomes'.'. McCabe et al. (Citation 2000: 235) state ...
What are the 7 steps of the tourism planning process?
Step 6: Implementation and Monitoring. Implementing the tourism plan requires careful coordination and management. This step involves allocating resources, coordinating various stakeholders, and ensuring timely execution. Regular monitoring and evaluation of the plan's progress are vital to identify any gaps or necessary adjustments.
Masterplan: Tourism
Tourism planning takes place in many forms, in diverse settings, and at different scales. It is an ordered and disciplined sequence of events designed to organize the future. In the past, the masterplan was a dominant approach normally done at the national or subnational level. In its comprehensive sense, a tourism masterplan is an integrative ...
Evidence-informed planning for tourism
Evidence-informed planning for tourism. Head (Citation 2008) discussed how evidence has become central to the design, implementation and evaluation of policies and programmes.From a tourism perspective McCole and Joppe (Citation 2014) argue that gathering data on tourist activity is important for not only its future sustainability, but also how the destination is managed.
Planning for tourism at local and regional levels: Principles
As mass-tourism grew and tourism started to be recognised for its economic contribution (Baud-Bovy, 1982;Hall, 2008; King & Pearlman, 2009), the absence of public sector planning and regulations ...
What Are the Three Levels of Tourism Planning?
Tourism planning is a crucial aspect of the travel industry. It involves the development of strategies and policies that aim to improve tourism activities in a particular destination. The process of tourism planning involves several levels, each with its own objectives and goals.
Planning
Tourism planning has existed as a professional field for approximately 50 years. It started in countries such as Ireland and France where there was a strong belief in community long-term planning and especially in a regional context and rural areas. These earliest plans were done by government agencies and prepared by professionals with a background in regional and urban planning rather than ...
Tourism Planning : Basics, Concepts, Cases
Tourism Planning. : Clare A. Gunn, Turgut Var. Psychology Press, 2002 - Architecture - 442 pages. As one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy since the 1950s, tourism has proved to be a complicated phenomenon, unlike any other economic producer. Over the last few decades, tourism has exerted increasing pressure on the land and negative ...
Why Tourism Planning Is Important
On a basic level, tourism development can be defined as creating strategies and plans to increase/develop/encourage tourism for a destination. The fundamental reason behind planning and implementing strategies for developing the tourism sector is primarily to make money and to subsequently increase the GDP of a country/area.
Tourism Planning & Development
Tourism Planning and Development (TPD) aims to explore and advance our theoretical and practical understandings of the intersections between tourism, planning and development studies. Each of these fields of study is characterised by rich scholarly and interdisciplinary traditions. TPD seeks to leverage these and other complementary scholarly traditions to build new interdisciplinary ...
Tourism Planning: Overview and Importance
D.Getz (1987) defines tourism planning as" a process, based on research and evaluation, which seeks to optimize the potential contribution of tourism to human welfare and environmental quality". ... There are different levels of tourism planning and policy. On a basic level, the main stages in tourism development planning include:
Tourism Planning » Meaning, Concept, Need, Importance, Techniques
For example, there is an intimate connection between short-range and long-range plans and tactical (strategic) & functional (operational) planning classifications. For businesses, sector planning's (such as IT, telecommunication, services, banking, tourism, agriculture etc.) and military purposes formal plans used to a greater level.
Evidence-informed planning for tourism
at destination level should address issues around embodying not only management approaches, but also planning considerations and local economic concerns. McLoughlin et al. (2018, p. 87), in fact, suggests that evidence-informed planning for tourism is the way forward to help ensure the future sustainability of tourism.
PDF UNIT 15 TOURISM PLANNING Tourism Impacts
15.2.2 Process of Tourism Planning. Tourism Planning Process involves the following steps: Study recognition and preparation:The first stage in planning process is associated with the recognition of the need for the strategy in order to obtain and/or increase competitive advantage to contribute to long-term growth.

Tourism Planning: Importance, Benefits, Types & Levels

What is Tourism Planning?

What is the need for Tourism Planning?

What are the components of Tourism Planning

Benefits of Tourism Planning

Impacts of Tourism Planning

Formulating an approach to tourism policy and planning:

1. Goal Oriented:

2. Integrative:

3. Market Driven:

4. Resource Driven:

5. Consultative:

6. Systematic:

Levels of Tourism Planning

1. International Tourism Planning:

2. National Tourism Planning:

3. Regional Tourism Planning:

4. Local Tourism Planning:

Types of Tourism Planning

Spatial Tourism Planning:

Sectoral Tourism Planning:

Complex Tourism Planning:

Integrated Tourism Planning:

Sustainable Tourism Planning:

Centralized Tourism Planning:

Decentralized Tourism Planning:

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the features of tourism planning?

What are the barriers to tourism planning?

ravinder babbar

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Talk To Us!

Tourism Policy, Planning, and Development

Tourism Policy

Policy Setting Process

Tourism Planning

Tourism Planning Models or Approaches

Tourism Development

Sustainable Tourism Development

Tourism Development Strategies

Tourism Development Roles

Project Development Analyses

Share This Book

Tourism Planning

Importance of Tourism Planning

Constraints in Tourism Planning

Scope in Tourism Planning

Accommodation

Types of Tourism Planning

Levels of Tourism Planning

Please Share This Share this content

You Might Also Like

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Process, elements, and stages of tourism planning and development

Related Papers

RELATED PAPERS

What are the 7 steps of the tourism planning process?

Step 1: Understanding the Destination

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

About The Author

Buying options

Author information

Corresponding author

Editor information

Rights and permissions

Copyright information

About this entry

Download citation

Why tourism planning is important

What is tourism planning?

What is tourism development planning?

Basic stages in tourism development planning

The benefits of tourism development

The costs of tourism development

Formulating an approach to tourism policy and planning

Why tourism development planning is important

You might also be interested in my post- ‘ What is ‘begpacking’ and why is it so bad ?’

Useful Links

Tourism Planning: Overview and Importance

Basic Stages in Tourism Development Planning