THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM

Principal Investigator Prof. S. P. Bansal, Vice Chancellor, Indira Gandhi

University, Rewari

Co-Principal Investigator Dr. Prashant K. Gautam, Director, UIHTM, Panjab

University, Chandigarh

Paper Coordinator Dr. Prashant K. Gautam, Director, UIHTM, Panjab

University, Chandigarh

Paper Co-Coordinator Dr. Amit Katoch, Assistant Professor, UIHTM, Panjab

University, Chandigarh

Content Writer Dr. Amit Katoch, Assistant Professor, UIHTM, Panjab

University, Chandigarh

Content Reviewer Prof. Sheeba Hamid, Department of Commerce,

Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, U.P.

Paper 12: Tourism Planning and Sustainable Development Module-16: Planning for tourism Destinations

TERMS DESCRIPTION OF MODULE

Subject Name Tourism & Hospitality

Paper Name Tourism Planning and Sustainable Development

Module No. 16

Module Title Planning for tourism Destinations

Objectives To study the concept of Planning and why there is a need for planning

Keywords Planning ,Tourism Destination

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Learning Outcome

2. Introduction

2.1 What is Tourism?

2.2 What is Tourism Destination?

3. Meaning and Concept of Planning

3.1 Tourism Destination Planning

4. Steps in Tourism Destination Planning

5. Role of Sustainable tourism in destination planning

6. Summary

After completing this module, students you will be able to:

What is tourism?

What is tourism destination?

Meaning and concept of planning

Tourism destination planning

Importance of tourism destination planning

Steps in tourism destination planning

Role of Sustainable tourism in destination planning

1. Introduction

When we talk about tourism, we consider mainly of tourists or guests who are visiting a

specific place or a destination for sightseeing, visiting friends and relatives, taking a vacation,

and having a good time. The tourist devote their leisure time in plethora of events such as

getting married, while doing adventure; taking sunshine, playing various sport activities,

taking outings, touring, reading, or liking the environment or just chilling out.

Let’s talk more about the subject, we may incorporate in our tourism, people who are

being part of an activity or may be an event, conference or any other kind of business activity

or personal and it also includes the people who are travelling with the purpose of studies or

research.

These visitors use different types of transportation depending upon the destination,

tourism type and most importantly depending on the taste of the tourists. This may vary from

cycling to biking or car to aircraft to have a memorable & pleasant experience.

This module will be discussing tourism planning methods or styles to achieve or reach to

the desired goals and objectives of tourism development for a tourist destination whether

national or international.

And, a tourism destination can be an entire country, a region, an island, a resort area, or a

single project.

Figure: Different Types of Transportation in Tourism

Sources: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/BZf6frPNrhg/maxresdefault.jpg

2. What is tourism?

Over the years the definition of tourism has experienced a change along with the

historical changes.

According to Hunziker and Krapf “Tourism is the total of the phenomena and

connections rising from the travel and holiday of non-residents, in so far as it do not lead to

permanent house and is not linked to any earning activity”.

This definition focuses on travel and stay, but ignores day trips, business trips etc. and

the overlapping of these boundaries with other practices.

But, later on significant changes were made in the definition of Tourism depending on

the experience of the tourists and the time span they spend at a destination outside their place

of origin or residence.

Figure: Definition of tourism given by League of Nations

Source: https://www.slideshare.net/xiclaire/japans-inbound-tourism-history

In 1937, the League of Nations recommended that tourism is the phenomena which

focuses on the social activities of the people travelling to a new destination for more than 24

hours from his/her usual native place.

However, the limitation of this definition was that it excluded domestic and emphasized only

on international tourism.

Further to facilitate the concept of tourism, the League of Nation categorized traveller’s into

two categorizes- one that are “tourists” and second which are not.

Figure: Definition of tourism given by IUOTO

Source: https://image.slidesharecdn.com/leipersmodel-141103110755-conversion-gate02/95/leipers-model-3-638.jpg?cb=1415012953

Though the maximum time of the stay was not set. Following years, IUOTO recommended

changes to the tourism definition and segregation of term “excursionist” and “transit

travellers” from the tourist terminology.

In 1953, the statistical commission of the UN replaced the League of Nations and introduce

the term “visitor”.

“Visitor was defined as a non-resident intending to remain for a period of one year without

having remuneration for a profession and not staying for more than 12 months as a maximum

limit”.

In the same year, another definition unlike the earlier definition for tourist was given i.e. “any

person (...) who enters the territory of a contracting State other than that in which the person

normally resides and remains there for not less than 24 hours and not more than 6 months, as

long as that journey is due to a legitimate non-immigrant such as tourism, recreation, sports,

health, family reasons, study, religious pilgrimages or business”.

Further, in 1963, the Rome Conference on Tourism adopted the recommendation to

replace the term “tourist” with the term “visitor”.

He defined visitor as “any person visiting a country other than that in which he has his

usual place of residence, for any purpose other than following an occupation remunerated

there”.

Further this definition covered two categories of visitors i.e. ‘tourist’ and ‘excursionist’

(IUOTO, 1963). In 1968, this definition was recognized, but gave freedom to each country to

use the term “excursionist or same day visitor”.

However, subsequently the UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and

Development) gave directives regarding the formation of the tourism statistics, which started

publishing in 1971.

After 1963, the explanation & definitions given by IUOTO were accepted and the visitor was

categorized into- “tourists” and “excursionist or same day visitors”.

They may be defined as:

Tourist’s: are the category of visitor’s who spend at least one night or more than 24 hours at

a place and their purpose may be categorized firstly into leisure and secondly into business,

mission, meeting or family. The leisure comprises holidays, recreation, study, health, religion

and sports.

Same day visitors or Excursionist’s: are the categories of visitor’s who do not stay for night

and generally their stay is less than 24 hours at an accommodation or lodgings.

On 27th September (1970), IUOTO’s special general assembly meet in Mexico (in Mexico

City) approved “the statutes (rules or laws) of the UNWTO (i.e. United Nations World

Tourism Organization). The first meeting of UNWTO met in Madrid (Spain) on request &

invite of Spanish government. And, Robert Lonati became the first UNWTO Secretary

General, wherein the headquarters’ of the organization were established at Madrid. From

1980, onwards, 27th September was celebrated as “World Tourism Day”.

Figure: Types of Travellers

Source: http://slideplayer.com/slide/7777624/25/images/5/Basic+tourism+units+TRAVELERS+VISITORS+OTHER.jpg

In the earlier definitions, international tourism was only discussed, so UNWTO now also

started taking into account the national tourists or domestic visitors in definition of domestic

tourism.

The UN statistical commission in 1993, approved the definition of “visitor” which has been

used before and was the main concept of the tourism statistics.

The visitor was categorized into following ‘tourists’ and ‘day visitors’ and all of them were

described as follows:

Visitor: the basic concept was defined as a person going (travelling) to a place or tourist

destination outside his usual environment or place of residence for less than 12 months and

that he/she is not getting any remuneration to the destination or place visited (United Nations,

1994).

Tourist: the category of visitors which stay at least for one night in a collective or private

accommodation in the place/country visited (United Nations, 1994).

Same-day visitors: the category of visitors who do not stay for a night in a collective or

private accommodation in the place/country visited (United Nations, 1994).

Tourism– is a phenomenon where a tourist travels to new place and stays there for more than

24 hours with the purpose of business, leisure or visiting friends and family.

Excursion–excursion is a temporary visit to a new place not for more than 24 hours.

This definition also ignored the domestic tourist, although it did identify the day visitor. The

Tourism Society of Britain in 1976 proposed to simplify the concept of tourism by saying

that “movement of people for short period of time or on temporary basis to a new

place/destination, where he/she is involved in recreational or business activity during the time

of stay. In simple aspects tourism can be defined as what visitor’s do. By UNWTO definition,

it is “the activity of persons travelling”, but in this case the object of tourism would be

confused with its subject (Cunha, n.d). Many researchers or tourism scholars may consider it

as a system (Leiper (1979) (see fig 16.1), Gun (1994), Lainé (1989) etc.). To some it may

appear as a phenomenon (Burkart and Medlik (1981) (see fig 16.2), Papadopoulos (1986)

Tribe (2006), Mathieson and Wall (1982) etc.) and to some it may appear as a human activity

which involves use of resources & host-guest interaction.

For some it may appear as an inter displinary area where there is interaction of social

sciences such as psychology, politics, anthropology, law, statistics etc. All these aspects

highlight that various outlooks can be observed and nothing is right or wrong. The

observations and explanations vary from one person to other.

However, they stand as an evolution path in course of study. And result in good

understanding of the concept which involves host-guest interaction which is a win-win

situation for both players who have an important role to play in tourism.

UNWTO has also defined International Tourism who travels outside his place of

residence which involves various countries &requirements documents (passport & VISA);

mode of transport (preferably air), language understanding, different environment and many

aspects. Though, the tourism phenomenon can be categorized into different types involving

own country or foreign country or individuals which are residents or non-residents. And

hence, the tourism can be categorized into three types from which other tourism arise.

Figure: Types of Tourism (UNWTO)

Source: https://image.slidesharecdn.com/thetourismindustrychapter1-111117225112-phpapp01/95/the-tourism-industry-chapter-1-9-

728.jpg?cb=1321570304

Inbound tourism: involving foreign or non-citizens to come for tourism activity in other

countries from their own country.

Outbound tourism: involves citizens of a country to travel to foreign tourist destinations

from their own country.

Domestic tourism: involves citizens of a country and to travel their own country.

The various tourism derived from the UNWTO concepts of inbound, outbound and domestic

tourism are:

International Tourism: It involves both inbound and outbound tourism.

Internal Tourism: It involves domestic tourism and inbound tourism.

National Tourism: It involves domestic tourism and outbound tourism.

Figure: Tourism Destination (Dubai)

Source: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT-7y2ftGTJZrwCldfLxj5fUYI9_xzUwCN-xwg8MIct8t6JgD1FnQ

3. What is Tourism Destination?

One of the most often used terms in tourism is ‘destination’, but it is used very

inversely by diverse authors. In the literature ‘destinations’ seem to be defined as images, as

narratives.

‘Destinations’ seem to be defined through their matter of attractions, facilities and services.

At ‘destinations’ contacts may take place between the tourists and the businesses, mutually in

the tourist industry, and between the single establishment and the tourist organizations and

the authorities.

Jensen, Hansen and Metz in the year 1993 gave a definition which is very close to that

we have learned earlier that is “Tourism destination is a geographical area, which consists of

variety of landscapes and cultural characteristics and also have different facilities like

transport, accommodation, restaurants, cafes, food units which helps to create a unique

experience.”

A tourist destination refers to a physical area in which a tourist spends or invests

his/her time for at least 24hrs or a night, the destination can comprise different tourism

products and numerous support services like n number of places and different resources

within one days return time.

It has physical and organizational boundaries defining its management, and images and

perceptions stating its market effectiveness.

Local destinations include various stakeholders often including a host community, and can

nest and network to form larger destinations.

Figure: Scale of Tourism Destination can be small or big

Source: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQiUgiwOXInOyWiuCsj09fFtC_a8q7l33tDpYTRw5j5lgxOgG1dJw

Destinations could be on any scale or size, from a whole country e.g. India, a region such as

north India and island such as Lakshadweep, to a village, town or city, or a self-contained

like centre National museum, Delhi. (Raina & Aggarwal, 2004)

Tourism destinations is the centre of tourism phenomenon and involves 5 A’s i.e.

attractions, amenities, accessibility, accommodation and awareness.

4. Meaning and Concept of Planning

Planning also called forethought is the procedure of idea and creating the activities

important to get a desired goal or the idea.

It involves the creation and protection of a plan, such as psychological parts that need

theoretical skills.

There are even a number of tests to measure someone’s capability of planning. As such,

planning is an important property of smart behaviour.

Also, planning has an exact process and is important for numerous jobs (particularly in

fields such as management, commerce, etc.).

In each field there are diverse types of plans that help companies attain efficiency and

effectiveness.

Although often overlooked aspect of planning, is the relationship it holds to forecasting.

Forecasting can be defined as what the future will look like, whereas planning forecasts

what the future should look like for many situations.

Planning combines forecasting with preparation of circumstances and how to react to

them.

Planning is one of the most significant project management and time management

method.

Planning is ordering an arrangement of action steps to achieve some specific goal.

If a person does it effectively and efficiently, they can reduce the needed time and effort

for achieving the goal.

A plan is like a map or a blueprint.

Planning is a very important aspect for every organisation/company in order to achieve the

desired goals.

Proper planning can lead to reach the desired goals or destination with more efficiency and

effectiveness.

In order to reach the targets, there is always a need for a proper and effective plan.

A good plan is blue print of the activities to be done and the methods or techniques to be used

for reaching a target or destination. it also help to reduce the cost and the time constraint.

Complete utilisation can be done through a proper plan.

Figure: Tourism Destination planning

Source: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSQNYedd0AqA4uGAJB_h-m7N1tKc-VvvMdjtRiapMDg09OQNky7

3.1 Tourism destination Planning

Tourism offers a foremost economic development to a particular destination or an area

and also provides opportunity for many countries and also gives income for improving the

quality of life of its residents.

Both the government sector and private sectors are involved in tourism and both focuses

on tourism planning and to achieve sustainable tourism development.

Figure: Sustainable Tourism does not harm the locals

Source: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR9Fnqa8fGKCtW8f-e8mxf3OoRA_nipgBJkmC5HHy-iwOygXUxJ

The sustainable tourism does not harm the locals instead respects the local communities,

creates suitable/sufficient employment, helps in maintenance of the natural environment, and

tends to delivers a quality visitor experience.

However, many tourism destinations or areas have followed development without proper

planning and without considering the countless impacts of such development which it will

bring to the community.

3.2 Importance of Tourism Destination Planning

Tourism planning is mainly done for socio-economic development. It is directed to tourism-

related objectives which also vary between the public sector and the private sector.

In the public sector, most of the planning is done by the government.

Figure: Sustainable Tourism balances social, environment and economic factors

Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/70/Sustainable_development.svg/1200px-Sustainable_development.svg.png

It primarily focuses on the economy and the social factors, use of land and zoning controls,

focus on environmental problems, plans for infrastructure development, focus on

employment generation, and the provision of public services.

Whereas private sector planning is usually focused with the aim of investment objectives

involving numerous traits of product development, buildings and design, financial feasibility,

marketing and promotion, management and operations.

The importance should be given to destination planning on following basis:

1) Valuation of the possible impacts of development and the resource difficulties which

will be faced:

Planning for a tourism destination first assess or analysis the impacts on both the

environment and the society or the local community of a particular destination. Which, means

that how much impact, development would cause on a particular area or the destination?

And, whether it will be harmful or helpful for the growth of the society or lead to the

protection of the environment. And, also looks on the problems of availability of resources

for the development at a particular area/destination.

Figure: Valuation of the possible impacts of development

Source: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRcH_c2igqLS7PEke1duBstTtv8QHWv3zS1g5J9JyDeaA9ilXLM

Figure: Competitive status of a tourism destination and its ability to respond

Source: https://searchengineland.com/bidding-competition-really-worth-258398

2) It examines the competitive status of a tourism destination and its ability to respond

to changes in the current travel market:

Planning for a tourism destination also see and analyse about the potential of a

particular destination or area or the competitive status of the destination.

And, that how far the destination can compete with the other destinations available for

the tourists to visit.

And, whether the destination would be able to respond to the changes in the current

travel market.

Are there enough tourism resources to compete and attract more tourists towards it

and give the amount of satisfaction a tourist wish for.

Planning is done keeping in mind all these aspects before development of a tourism

destination.

Figure: Level of stability between factors of a tourist destination

Source: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRcH_c2igqLS7PEke1duBstTtv8QHWv3zS1g5J9JyDeaA9ilXLM

3) Delivering a level of stability and predictability in the advancement of the overall

development of tourism in a given area/destination:

Tourism destination development also focuses on providing a level of stability and

predictability in the progress of the overall development of tourism in a particular given

area/destination, planning plays a crucial role in providing a stability to a tourist destination

and also predicts the progress rate that at what speed the overall development of a tourism

destination is taking place. (Ramakrishna, 2010).

5. Steps in Tourism Destination Planning:

Figure: What we want to do in the Tourism Destination?

Source: https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--zfxFTcn6--/c_scale,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/18qp70mocrz1jjpg.jpg

Step 1.What do we want to do?

The first step in tourism planning is what we want to do, which means what is the plan and

how do we execute it at the first place. And, keeping in mind the available resources and how

to use them in a way that full utilisation can be done.

Figure: Who is, or could be involved?

Source: https://www.theodysseyonline.com/getting-involved-on-your-campus-is-important

Step 2.Who is, or could be involved?

The second step in tourism destination planning is what are the available human resource

with us and what the alternates are, should more people or group of people should be

involved in the process.

And surely, the involvement of the local community can be a good option, as it would be

helpful for the growth of hosts as well as for the destination.

Figure: Valuation of the possible impacts of development

Source: https://pixabay.com/p-1019820/?no_redirect

Step 3.What is known?

The third step focuses on what is known to us i.e. what are the available tourism resources

like attractions, natural environment, heritage and culture, things to do for a tourist and other

activities like adventure tourism, culinary tourism etc. at a particular area or destination.

Step 4.What makes this region, place or product special?

The fourth step in the process of tourism destination planning is to identify the special and

unique aspect or product of that particular area/region/destination.

So, that it can be used in a positive and effective manner for the development of tourist

destination.

The unique product should be used as a USP for tourism development and growth, this can

only happen if proper products are identified and USP are created.

Figure: To identify the special and unique aspect or product of that particular

area/region/destination.

Source: https://rashidfaridi.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/creating-customer-loyalty-in-the-travel-and-tourism-industry-3-638.jpg

Figure: To know the various issues

Source: http://www.mrcci.com.au/what-are-your-top-5-business-issues/

Step 5. What are the issues?

The fifth step in the process of tourism destination development is to look on to or identify

the major issues faced by that particular area or destination like economic, socio and

environmental.

The correct identification of issues can help in analysing and finding the right solutions or

alternatives for the development and growth of the region/destination.

If one knows about the issues than only, he can set up certain standards or make plans in

order to overcome the current issues arising at that region/destination.

Figure: Analysis of various issues in tourism destination

Source: http://coloradoforcarroll.com/issues/

Step 6. Analysing issues

The sixth step in the process of tourism destination development is to analyse the identified

issues at a particular region/destination.

And accordingly find out alternates and solution to the problems or issues, and further

correcting or improving the issues by applying the possible solutions or measures.

Figure: Formation of certain principles and objectives to reach a planned tourism destination

Source: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRcH_c2igqLS7PEke1duBstTtv8QHWv3zS1g5J9JyDeaA9ilXLM

Step 7. Principles or objectives to guide actions

The seventh step in the process of tourism destination planning is to form certain principles

and objectives on the basis of which actions or steps can be taken in order to reach a certain

level of planned development of the area/destination.

Figure: To bring suggestion and own ideas into work

Source: https://appirio.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/idea.jpg

Step 8. What are your ideas and options?

The eighth step in the process of tourism destination planning is to bring your own ideas and

suggestion into work.

Also, try to find out the best possible options which can benefit in terms of tourism

destination development. And, putting the best abstract ideas into practical work that can lead

to healthy development of a destination

Figure: The steps taken for development of tourism destination

Source: http://thesvas.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/How-to-do-it-01-770x285.jpg

Step 9. How to do it?

The ninth step in the process of tourism destination planning is that what steps should be

taken or what techniques or methods should be used in the process of development or

improvement of a tourism destination.

Proper analysis has to be done and depending upon the conditions and resources available

various methods or techniques are to be used for the destination planning and development.

Figure: To follow statement of directions to grow development & growth in tourism

destination

Source: https://geresidents.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/future-directions-v2.jpg

Step10. Statement of directions

The tenth and the last step in the process of tourism destination planning is to follow the

statement of the direction in order to achieve a certain level of growth and development if

statement of direction is properly followed, it can take one to growth and improvement in the

applied field. (Jamal & Getz, 1995).

Figure: Role of sustainability in destination planning

Source: https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e5R6rjqwqes/VzMMJLVhvkI/AAAAAAAAABw/jlLEJfpjWoQiG00tYmIjJOiE2teXzYttQCLcB/s1600/Immagine1.jpg

6. Role of Sustainable tourism in destination planning

Sustainable tourism plays an important role in destination planning. According to UNWTO,

it may be defined as: "Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic,

social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the

environment and host communities"

Theoretically, Sustainable tourism philosophies refer to the environmental, economic, and

socio-cultural facets of tourism development, and maintaining a balance between them, so

that no one overpowers each other and there is a long term growth which prospers all the

stakeholders especially the local community.

Hence, it employs the guidelines and management practises which protects the resources,

lead to their judicial resources and also applies to all forms of tourism whether green tourism,

agro tourism, rural tourism or the mass tourism.

Hence, sustainable tourism benefits the people, nature and society in the following way:

1) Leads to optimal use of ecological possessions that are very important in development of

tourism, protection of flora & fauna & also maintaining a balance among them.

2) It gives pride and respect to the local & host communities and helps in restoration of

culture by giving it authenticity, preserving their heritage, culture, traditions, and contributing

to universal brotherhood and world peace.

3) Guarantees sustainable, long-term commercial operations, leading to socio-economic

development to all stakeholders by providing them employment, avenues for livelihood,

poverty alleviation and improving the services to the local communities.

Hence, development of Sustainable tourism would result only due to the participation of all

relevant stakeholders, a firm political support for wide participation and consent building. It

is an unceasing progression and requires relentless checking of impacts, taking corrective

measures and addressing the economic, social & ecological implications in a balanced way

without harming mother earth. It brings satisfaction to both host and guests. To the tourists, it

provides a unique experience; on the contrary it provides opportunities & judicial use of

resources through participation of the local community.

7. Summary

Planning is a very important part of development in each and every field.

Proper planning can lead you to the desired goals or targets.

Planning plays an essential or an important role in the achievement of set targets or goals as it

decreases the chances of failing. Planning is required at every aspect of life.

Proper planning can lead a destination to a longer span/period of time in destination life

cycle.

With the help of proper planning the available tourism resources can be put up at right places

and enhances the sustainability of that particular destination.

Planning can also help in conservation and protection of the natural environment of a

destination, preservation of cultural heritage, customs and lifestyle of the local communities,

protection of wildlife and forests etc.

Proper planning help in development of a tourism destination which further increases

opportunities for employment, infrastructure development and helps in improving the quality

of life of the local communities. It also helps in increasing the income level of the locals

which further helps in strengthening the economy of the country.

Sustainable tourism plays an important role in destination planning. It refer to the

environmental, economic, and socio-cultural facets of tourism development, and maintaining

a balance between them, so that no one overpowers each other and there is a long term

growth which prospers all the stakeholders especially the local community.

Hence, it employs the guidelines and management practises which protects the resources,

lead to their judicial resources and also applies to all forms of tourism whether green tourism,

agro tourism, rural tourism or the mass tourism.