Approaches to Tourism Planning and Development PDF

Approaches to Tourism Planning and Development Tourism Platforms – over the past 50 years, the study of tourism has undergone shifts in focus or what is referred to as platform. − A Platform is very similar to the concept of paradigm, which is a way of looking at the nature of something, ide...

Approaches to Tourism Planning and Development Tourism Platforms – over the past 50 years, the study of tourism has undergone shifts in focus or what is referred to as platform. − A Platform is very similar to the concept of paradigm, which is a way of looking at the nature of something, identifying the issues which are most important to consider, and thinking of ways to solve those issues. Tourism – is viewed from different lenses, & how we see tourism affects the way we plan & develop it. 1. Advocacy Platform – sees tourism as a good thing and celebrates tourism’s positive impacts on the economy, the environment, and society. − “Tourism is an instrument for achieving national development” is a policy statement that reflects this platform. − Tourism can be used to generate foreign exchange, create employment, modernize a country, and uplift the conditions of the poor. − The end result of this advocacy is Mass Tourism. − Related Theories: Tourism is a “clean industry” because it does not produce smoke the pollutes the environment. Revitalizes cultural traditions. Maintains peace through mutual understanding. 2. Cautionary Platform – views tourism as a bad thing and decries the negative effects of mass tourism that the advocacy platform has engendered. − Tourism results in cosmetic development, where poverty is concealed by high-rise hotels, new airports, and shopping complexes. − Tourism jobs are low-paying and very seasonal. − It results in loss of cultural traditions through: Demonstration Effect – a phenomenon of local residents adopting the styles and manners they have observed in visiting tourists. 3. Adaptancy Platform – acknowledges that mass tourism has negative impacts, but these can be minimized or avoided with “alternative tourism”, refers to low-volume, low-impact forms of tourism – the antithesis of mass tourism. − 2 sets of Alternative Tourism: 1. Environmentally-Oriented Tourism – includes ecotourism, soft tourism, and green tourism. 2. Socially-Oriented Tourism – includes altruistic tourism, volunteer tourism, just tourism, accessible tourism, ethnic tourism, community-based tourism, responsible tourism, pro-poor tourism, and fair-trade tourism. 4. Knowledge-based Platform – views tourism from a holistic perspective; not just from the impacts and forms but in terms of the underlying structures and functions. − This platform supports a critical analysis of tourism and is not inclined to labeling certain forms of tourism. − Under this platform, mass platform, mass tourism, when managed properly, may be sustainable. − While ecotourism, when mismanaged, may be unsustainable. − In other words, any form of tourism is neither innately bad nor good. − Sustainable Tourism Development Concept, whose principles include the need for education and research, conforms to the knowledge-based platform. 5. Social Justice Platform – embraces “participatory processes involving open dialogue: inclusivity, resource distribution, equity, equality, pro-poor planning; gender sensitivity; responsiveness to diversity”. − The main purpose of tourism is to be an agent for positive change and to defend the weak. − Forms of tourism that exhibit these principles are accessible tourism (for PWDs), aboriginal tourism, pro-poor tourism, responsible tourism, gender-sensitive tourism, and fair-trade tourism, community approach tourism. Tourism Development Theories (Advocacy Theories) 1. Laissez Faire Theory – the French for “leave it be”. − Assumes that an industry, such as tourism, will function best when it is left solely to market forces. − A.k.a. “Liberal Economic Theory” – government does not intervene in terms of policy, plans, regulations, guidelines, codes, or standards. − It tends to encourage the growth of tourism businesses but an emphasis on the economic returns (profit and taxes). − It has caused the rapid deterioration of many destinations due to social malaise and environmental exploitation. 2. Modernization Theory – as applied to tourism assumes that tourism contributes to the economic progress and transformation of “traditional” societies into modern ones. − Tourism improves the standard of living of the residents through the transfer of technology, improvement of knowledge and skills, and the adoption of “Western Culture”, “New is better than old”. 3. Trickle-down Theory – is related to Modernization Theory. − It assumes that any form of economic growth will lead to the improvement of the living conditions of all. − Everyone benefits from tourism growth. Multiplier Effect – where the value of the original tourist expenditure seems to become greater as the money passes hands among the different sectors of the economy. 4. Neo-liberal Theory – the Neo-liberal theory of development asserts that the economy functions best when there is minimal government intervention. − It accepts the idea of government regulation but rejects government competing with the private sector by being a business operator itself.  Tourism Development Theories (Cautionary Theories) 1. Dependency Theory – states that tourism can actually worsen the difficult situation of the “Third World” countries because the “First World” countries exploit and draw off the resources of the latter. − Tourism is seen as creating dependencies by the “periphery” (developing nations) on the “core” (developed countries). − Destinations depend on foreign countries for technology, know-how, and products to satisfy the demands of international tourists. − The local economy suffers from leakages in the form of repatriated income, imports, royalties, and management services. − International Tourism as a form of modern-day colonialism. 2. Irridex Model – the Doxey’s Irritation Index Model (Irridex Model), is a theory about the social impacts of tourism. − It states that residents’ attitudes toward tourism will deteriorate over the destination life cycle as the negative consequences of tourism intensify. − Planners must incorporate measures to prevent undue stress on the host residents brought about by the influx of tourists. 1. Euphoria – sense of excitement and anticipation. − Informal contact with tourists. 2. Apathy – more formal contact with tourists. − Tourism is seen as a source of income and investment. 3. Annoyance – residents begin to show misgivings about the tourism industry due to increasing numbers, external investment and infrastructure. 4. Antagonism – irritations: expressed verbally and physically. − Tourists: seen as the cause of the problem. Approaches to Tourism Planning and Development 1. No Planning – many destinations start out with no tourism planning at all. − Tourism may not be seen as a priority industry. − Sometimes, there may be a felt need to plan but a destination or LGU may not have the capacity in terms of planning skills or budget to invest in tourism. 2. Ad-hoc Planning – is planning only as the need arises, such as planning in preparation for a town fiesta or when an important visitor is coming. − May be in the form of preparing the welcome party and the meals, itinerary for the special guest. − Related to Issue-based Planning – driven by issues that emerge from time to time and the search for solutions to those issues. 3. Integrated Tourism Planning – is when tourism is developed and planned as an integrated system within itself and as part of an overall tourism plan & total development patterns in an area. − This implies that tourism must be compatible with existing economic activities and the values of the local residents. 4. Boosterism Approach – sees tourism as a positive force for economic development. − Its primary goal is to maximize tourism revenues through mass tourism. − Main Strategies: expand tourism’s physical capacity and conduct heavy international promotional campaigns. − May be product-led or market-led, State-led, industry-led or shared enterprise between the public and private sector. 5. Product-led Development – “Build it and they will come.” − Suggests that the key to successful tourism program is to provide infrastructure, facilities, and amenities to tourists. − Construct a theme park in the middle of nowhere and people will find their way to it for as long as the attraction is of high quality. 6. Spatial Planning Approach – type of product-led tourism planning, but on a wider scale. − It is focused on “destination layout and design” and breaks down tourism into spatial units such as gateways (main access point – airport), communities, access routes, attraction complexes. − Three (3) Spatial Units in Tourism: 1. Site Scale – refers to planning at the level of individual tourism property like hotel, resort, or restaurant. Example: Angeles City Heritage District 2. Destination Scale – is the planning of tourism in a community and its surrounding areas. Example: Angeles City-wide 3. Regional Scale – is planning at the level of province, region, or country. Example: Pampanga (Central Luzon) 7. Demand-Led Approach – “Know-the customer and satisfy them.”. − The provision of tourism facilities, amenities, and services must follow a thorough understanding of the market characteristics and requirements. 8. Bureaucratic/Government-Led Approach – puts the government at the center of planning and development. − 2 Types of Bureaucratic Approach: 1. Central Planning Approach – is where the national-level agencies carry out all functions related to tourism planning and development. Example: North Korea 2. Developed Planning Approach – is where local government units assume control of tourism planning and development for their respective jurisdictions. Example: Philippines (mandated by Republic Act 7160 – Local Government Code of 1991) 9. Middle Path Approach (Bhutan Model) – opposite of boosterism is low volume, high-yield tourism. − Where strict controls are imposed on the types and volume of tourism to maximize revenue but minimize the adverse effects of tourism religion, culture, and the environment. − To the Bhutanese, “Gross National Happiness” is more important than “plain material wealth.” 10. Environmental Approach – works best when the place being considered for tourism development is endowed with natural attractions. − Environment-friendly tourism, like ecotourism, may be the only acceptable alternative. − Example: Palawan – Strategic Environmental Plan (RA 7611) 1. Carrying Capacity – the maximum number of people that may visit a tourist destination at the same time, without causing destruction of the physical, economic, socio- cultural environment, and an unacceptable decrease in the quality of visitors’ satisfaction. − A common capacity standard for good quality resort is 10 square meters per person and 1 meter of beach frontage per person. 2. Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) – delimits the conditions that are deemed ideal for an area and sets up management strategies to achieve the conditions. − Sets a range (minimum and maximum values) for a given factor in terms of social, ecological, physical, and economic impacts which are considered as acceptable. 11. Ecotourism Approach – a form of sustainable tourism within a natural and cultural heritage area where community participation, protection and management of natural resources, culture and indigenous knowledge and practices, environmental education and ethics, as well as economic benefits are fostered and pursued for the enrichment of host communities and satisfaction of visitors. − Emphasizes the environmental and cultural dimensions of sustainability. 12. Social Approach – emphasizes the role of stakeholders in the tourism planning process. − Concerned with directing the benefit and control of resources toward the community and other vulnerable groups. 13. Participatory/Stakeholder Approach – puts people at the center of the planning process. − Each relevant Stakeholder has a say in the deliberation and decision-making process. 14. Community-Based Tourism (CBT) – tourism that is owned and/or managed by communities and intended to deliver wider community benefit. − Its core idea is allowing a community to have control over a tourism enterprise. − Its rationale is the community stands to win or lose. 15. Pro-Poor Approach (PPT) – tourism that generates net benefits for the poor. − Interventions from the government or other agencies are needed to channel the benefits of tourism to the poor. 16. Fair Trade Tourism – a response to the failure of conventional trade to deliver sustainable livelihoods and development opportunities to people in the poorest countries of the world. − It includes paying fair wages and working conditions, fair purchasing and operations, equitable distribution of benefits and respect for human rights, culture, and the environment. 17. Sustainable Tourism Approach – development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. − “People-Planet-Profit” “Equity-Environment-Economy”. − 12 Main Goals of Sustainable Tourism: 1. Economic Viability 7. Community Well-Being 2. Local Prosperity 8. Cultural Richness 3. Employment Quality 9. Physical Integrity 4. Social Equity 10. Biological Diversity 5. Visitor Fulfillment 11. Resource Efficiency 6. Local Control 12. Environmental Purity