Tourism Policy & Planning
Chapter 1 – Introduction to Tourism Policy & Planning
What is Policy?
The Importance of defining policy
- Clarifying what policy is from different perspectives provides a means for people to understand what it is we are talking about, examining or researching gives direction.
- Provide boundaries to the subject matter.
- Provide a common platform for understanding.
- Clarify who is involved and/or responsible.
Definitions of Policy
- Thomas Dye – “whatever governments choose to do or not to do.”
- Considine – “continuing work done by groups of policy actors who use available institutions to articulate and express the things they value.”
- Bridgeman and David – “the vehicle through which politicians seek to make a difference.”
Characteristics of Policy
1. Involves the government: involvement will vary according to the issue.
2. Is a stated intention or commitment to undertake a particular action or bring about change Course of action that has been legitimated by government.
3. Involves hypothesising about future causes and consequences.
4. Is an action that brings about intervention or an allocation/redistribution of resources.
5. Is an organisational practice.
6. Is about choices that governments and policy collaborators make.
7. Involves mediating values and interest.
What is Planning?
- Much like policy, there is no universal agreement on how to define planning.
- In its simplest form, planning is about identifying appropriate steps to achieve some predetermined goal.
- Planning is: o Concerned with the future. o Acquiring knowledge and identifying alternatives. o Anticipating change in uncertain conditions. o Developing a strategic vision. o Choosing the best/most appropriate course of action. o Value-laden and political.
What is Tourism?
- Definitions of tourism are diverse and are often driven by the need to collect data.
- Defining tourism from different perspectives shapes policy direction and content: o Tourism as
What is Policy?
The Importance of defining policy
- Clarifying what policy is from different perspectives provides a means for people to understand what it is we are talking about, examining or researching gives direction.
- Provide boundaries to the subject matter.
- Provide a common platform for understanding.
- Clarify who is involved and/or responsible.
Definitions of Policy
- Thomas Dye – “whatever governments choose to do or not to do.”
- Considine – “continuing work done by groups of policy actors who use available institutions to articulate and express the things they value.”
- Bridgeman and David – “the vehicle through which politicians seek to make a difference.”
Characteristics of Policy
1. Involves the government: involvement will vary according to the issue.
2. Is a stated intention or commitment to undertake a particular action or bring about change Course of action that has been legitimated by government.
3. Involves hypothesising about future causes and consequences.
4. Is an action that brings about intervention or an allocation/redistribution of resources.
5. Is an organisational practice.
6. Is about choices that governments and policy collaborators make.
7. Involves mediating values and interest.
What is Planning?
- Much like policy, there is no universal agreement on how to define planning.
- In its simplest form, planning is about identifying appropriate steps to achieve some predetermined goal.
- Planning is: o Concerned with the future. o Acquiring knowledge and identifying alternatives. o Anticipating change in uncertain conditions. o Developing a strategic vision. o Choosing the best/most appropriate course of action. o Value-laden and political.
What is Tourism?
- Definitions of tourism are diverse and are often driven by the need to collect data.
- Defining tourism from different perspectives shapes policy direction and content: o Tourism as