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SUPPLY SIDE:
Parts
of the tourism product as viewed by supply side:
Organisational
structures and political influences:
EU
policies on tourism
The European Commission started
involvement in tourism with the establishment of the Tourism Advisory Committee in 1986
The Council
of Ministers declared the year 1990 as the "The European Year of Tourism" and in
1992 started a three year Action Plan to Assist Tourism.
In 1996
the European Commission
adopted a proposal for a Council Decision on a First
Multiannual Programme to assist European Tourism ("Philoxenia" 1997-2000).
The Council
of Ministers could however not reach the necessary unanimous agreement on the proposed programme. The Commission formally withdrew its proposal in April 2000.
In 1999 the Commission and the Member
States agreed to set up five working groups:
 to facilitate the exchange and
dissemination of information, particularly through new technologies (Working
Group A);
to
improve training in order to upgrade skills in the tourism industry (Working
Group B);
to
improve the quality of tourist products (Working Group C);
to promote environmental
protection and sustainable development in tourism (Working Group D) and
a special working
group 'managing the impact of new technologies in the tourism sector (Working
Group E)
In 2001 an annual European
Tourism Forum was
proposed.
In May 2002, the Council of Ministers
for the first time adopted a resolution
specifically on tourism, in where it urges closer monitoring of the impact of EU
legislation on the tourism sector, suggests futher examination of promoting
Europe as a destination, and invites the industry to support the efforts
undertaken by the European Community and the Member
States.
In February 2005, the Commission proposed a new start for the Lisbon Strategy focusing the European Union’s efforts on two principal tasks – delivering stronger, lasting growth and more and better jobs.
EU current tourism policy: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/tourism/index_en.htm
Commission communication 2010:
Europe, the world's No 1 tourist destination - a new political framework for tourism in Europe (pdf)
Phases of international tourism policies since 1945
(Up to 2000 based on Hall 2000)
|
Phase
|
Characteristics
|
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1945-1955
|
Dismantling and streamlining of police, customs,
currency, and health regulations from the Second World War and immediate
post-war period (in some countries longer than 1955)
|
|
1955-1970
|
Greater government involvement in tourism marketing
in order to increase tourism earning potential, in post-colonial countries
beginning of tourism policy
|
|
1970-1985
|
Government involvement in the supply of tourism
infrastructure and in the use of tourism as a tool of regional
development
|
|
1985-2000
|
Continued use of tourism as a tool for regional
development, increased focus on environmental issues, reduced direct government
involvement in the supply of tourism infrastructure, greater emphasis on the
development of public-private partnerships and industry self-regulations.
|
| 2000-today |
Renewed government involvement (terrorism, environmental questions, community-based tourism) |
Examples: Airlines, Beach resorts,
Tourist Information Offices
|
Five
approaches to Tourism Planning and Policies, their assumptions and main questions:
>
boosterism:
"Tourism
is good"
How to attract tourists,
how to make locals into good hosts.
>
economic, industry-oriented approach:
"Tourism
is an industry like other industries"
How
to maximize profit, cost-benefit analysis
>
physical/spatial approach:
"Tourism
is a resource user"
Visitor management,
carrying capacity, environmental impact,
National Parks
>
community-oriented approach:
"Tourism
changes local societies"
Empowerment,
education, social impact
>
sustainable approach:
"Tourism
needs holistic approach"
tourism
as system, tourism planning part of overall
planning, stakeholder
(after Getz 1987/Hall
2000)
21st
century development:
>
From "Sustainable" to "Responsible" Tourism approach:
2002 Cape Town Conference on Responsible Tourism in Destinations.
2002 Cape Town declaration agreed
that responsible tourism:
- minimises negative economic, environmental and social impacts
- generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well
being of host communities; improves working conditions and access to the
industry
- involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life
chances
- makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural
heritage embracing diversity
- provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful
connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural,
social and environmental issues
- provides access for physically challenged people
- is culturally sensitive, encourages respect between tourists and hosts, and
builds local pride and confidence.
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