Unit 12: Responsible Tourism Policy And Planning For Tourism Authorities

UNIT 12. RESPONSIBLE TOURISM POLICY ANDPLANNING FOR TOURISM AUTHORITIES

Picture source:Pixabay, www.pixabay.com

Unit outline

ObjectivesBy the end of this unit, participants will be able to:• Explain the importance of tourism to governments and the

challenge of sustainable growth• Describe how to incorporate sustainability into tourism

plans• Explain the importance of adopting a participatory planning

approach in policy and planning• Explain the function of impact appraisals in tourism

planning• Identify policy areas to create an enabling environment for

Responsible Tourism• Identify instruments for achieving Responsible Tourism

policies

Topics1. Tourism and its

importance to government

2. The challenge of sustainable growth

3. Incorporating sustainability into tourism plans

4. Using impact appraisals in tourism planning for sustainability

5. Identifying policy areas to create an enabling environment for Responsible Tourism

TOPIC 1. TOURISM AND ITSIMPORTANCE TO GOVERNMENT

RESPONSIBLE TOURISM POLICY & PLANNING FOR TOURISM AUTHORITIES


Seminar overview: the role of governments in building responsible tourism

How can we use impacts appraisals to achieve responsible tourism objectives?

TOPIC 4

What is the current importance of tourism to

governments and why should we change what we

are doing? TOPIC 1

How can responsible tourism help maintain

growth but create greater sustainability?

TOPIC 2

How can we best incorporate responsible

tourism into tourism planning? TOPIC 3

What policy areas should we address to make

tourism responsible and what instruments are

relevant? TOPIC 5


Tourism’s contribution to the economy of Vietnam

VND129,969.0bn VND140,179.0bn VND268,761.0bn

2012 2013 2023

DIRECT CONTRIBUTIONS OF TOURISM TO GDP IN VIETNAM:CONSTANT VND

Source: World Travel & Tourism Council 2013, Travel & Tourism Economic Impact 2013: Vietnam, WTTC, UK

Tourism’s contribution to the economy of Vietnam

TOTAL CONTRIBUTION OF TRAVEL & TOURISM TO GDP

CONSTANT VNDbn % WHOLE ECONOMY GDP


Tourism’s contribution to employment in Vietnam

‘000 JOBS % WHOLE ECONOMY EMPLOYMENT


The total economic value of tourism to Vietnam in 2013

US$3.7bnin capital investment or 8.3% of total

visitor exportsor 4.6% of total

US$5.9bnDIRECT JOBSor 3.8% of total

1,831,300

US$6.2bnin direct GDPor 4.5% of total



Tourism is spurring on infrastructure development in Vietnam

RoadsAirports

ElectricityWater


Tourism is driving investment in Vietnam

“Hue invests 9 billion VND in restoring traditional trade villages” (09/10/13)

“HA GIANG INVESTS VND 66 BILLION IN RESTORING DONG VAN

ANCIENT QUARTER” (03/10/13)

“Vingroup builds major ecotourism hub in Binh Dinh” (19/09/13)

“POLAND HELPS PRESERVE HUE’S KING TU DUC TOMB” (12/08/13)

“VND47 billion to upgrade dock station on Titov island” (24/07/13)

“Australia helps protect Ba Be National Park” (16/09/11)

“PHU YEN LICENSES TWO TOURISM PROJECTS” (07/09/11)


Tourism is contributing to local economies and rural development in Vietnam

Picture sources: http://www.flickr.com/photos/calflier001/6943300353/; http://www.flickr.com/photos/dalbera/4411151036/; http://www.fotopedia.com/items/flickr-197185820; http://www.flickr.com/photos/marfis75/404877169/; http://www.flickr.com/photos/breweruk/6464624651/;

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stilt_house_by_Muong_people_in_Mai_Chau-Hoa_Binh-Viet_Nam.jpg

Carvers

Weavers

Farmers

Homestay families

Women

Local guides

Tourism is also contributing to the protection of natural & cultural heritage in Vietnam

TOPIC 2. THE CHALLENGE OF SUSTAINABLE GROWTH IN TOURISM



Compromising sustainability compromises tourism’s competitiveness

?


The challenge of balancing sustainability and growth

GROWTH SUSTAINABILITY

Some reasons why sustainable tourism has been hard to achieve 1/2

Economic growth prioritised

Misconceptions about value of investment

and foreign exchange in sustainability

Limited funds for maintenance

Limited sustainable development frameworks

Inadequate control mechanisms

Insufficient rural planning

Tourism in the wrong place and reason

Limited awareness

Lack of commitment

Limited local community influence


Some reasons why sustainable tourism has been hard to achieve 2/2

…and…sustainable tourism

did not ask anyone to do anything!


The evolution from sustainable tourism…

ENVIRONMENT

SOCIAL ECONOMIC

SUSTAINABLETOURISM

1. BEACCOUNTABLE

2. HAVECAPACITY

…to responsible tourism

ENVIRONMENT

SOCIAL ECONOMIC

SUSTAINABLETOURISM

1. BEACCOUNTABLE

3. TAKEACTION

2. HAVECAPACITY

RESPONSIBLETOURISM

We must accept that every decision and action we make

in our daily lives has an impact.

We must take responsibility for our actions and acquire the knowledge, skills and resources to make change.

Being responsible is not just an intent. It requires action. And that action must be

for good - based upon the law, our ethics and

morals.

Responds to market demand

The benefits for governments in adopting a responsible tourism approach

More attractive destinations

Better use of natural and cultural resources

Creates viable, long-term economic benefits for all


The influence of government in tourism destination development

Exploration

Involvement

Development

Consolidation

Stagnation

(Rejuvenate)

(Stable)

(Decline)

Developmentthreshold

TIME

NU

MBER O

F VISITORS

MY SON SANCTUARY

HUE

HOI AN

HA LONG BAY

Conceptual diagram of stage of development for key

heritage sites in Vietnam

Implementing responsible tourism will keep destinations

stable or even rejuvenate

7 key areas where governments can foster responsible tourism

41 Co-ordinating sector activities to enable responsible tourism

2 Managing natural and cultural resources responsibly

3 Setting responsible tourism standards

Building capacity in responsible tourism

5 Implementing responsible tourism legislation

6 Providing leadership in responsible tourism

7 Promoting responsible tourism activities

Increasing seasonality in tourism


http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/818858

Tourism hot spots / benefits not reaching poor

Picture source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slum

Reduction in the quality of local amenities and services, and compromises safety

Picture sources:www.pixabay.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/j-cornelius/2989147380/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbey_Road_Studios

http://www.flickr.com/photos/archer10/5187399563/

Cultural commodification and loss of authenticity

Picture sources:http://www.flickr.com/photos/runran/6885362990/

www.pixabay.comhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vietnamese_Dancers.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Vietnam

…is that dance really traditional? …water puppets are now

souvenirs but do the tourists understand the cultural significance?

Tourism development and changes to natural and social systems

…but who lived there before?

Looks nice…

…and what about the importance of coastal areas for protection from extreme weather events?

Picture sources:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benidorm

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jurvetson/5314774452/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthquake_engineering

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hoi_An_Fish_Market,_Vietnam).jpghttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:House_of_fisherman_Vietnam.jpg

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lecount_Hollow_Private_Beach_Access_Sign.jpg

Pollution affects important ecological processes and human health

Picture sources:http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Smoking_cruise_ships_Nile.JPG

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_B-47_Stratojethttp://www.flickr.com/photos/kk/4712861851/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landfill

TOPIC 3. INCORPORATING SUSTAINABILITY INTO TOURISM PLANS



The old days of tourism planning – localised, site specific

HOTEL

Transport

MARKET

GOVERNMENT

Promotion

Site selectionApply site planning, landscaping, & engineering design standards

Today’s tourism planning – integrated, strategic

HOTEL

TransportMARKET A

GOVERNMENT

Promotion

Site impactsAND impacts on surroundingenvironment,community & economy

Community

Environment

Economy

MARKET B

MARKET C

The role and importance of tourism planning in responsible tourism development

TOURISM PLANNING

Beneficiaries

Types

Form

Timing

Location

Effects of not incorporating sustainability into tourism planning process

lost opportunitiesto maximise positive impacts

activities and processesCONFLICTINGmore

to find support

morechallenging

on the environment, community and economy

ADVERSE IMPACTS Greater

Why traditional tourism plans often fail

Lack of flexibility

Lack of strategic

thinking and vision

Ineffective top-down planning

Poor linking of formulation

and implementatio

n

The logical and rational plans are often too

rigorous and unable to adapt to changing

conditions

Logical and rational plans often lack leadership vision in formulation

processes

Only involving planning officials or outside

planning experts may not represent the needs of

all stakeholders

Traditional planning often fails to link plan

formulation to the outcomes to ensure accountability and measure success

Key principles for integrating sustainability into tourism plans

ACHIEVING SUSTAINABILITY IN

TOURISM PLANNING

Economic objectives

Social objectives

Environmental objectives

Politicalobjectives

Tourism vs development goalsPlan integration

Top-down vs. local

Ecological balanceDevelopment pace

Environmentally costedImpacts assessed

Costs vs. benefitsBenefit distribution

Community compatibilityBenefit balance

Tourism seasonalityEmployment

Living standardCultural appreciationCompatible designs

Visitor-community needs

Integrating sustainability into tourism plans

NATIONAL

REGIONAL

DESTINATION TOURISM PLANS

Principal organisations

Legislative framework

Stakeholder roles & functions

Market environment

BACKGROUNDANALYSIS

IMPLEMENTATIONREQUIREMENTS

Financing

Marketing

Human resources

PRINCIPALELEMENTS

Infrastructure

Facilities and services

Attractions

TOURISM PLANS

Principal organisations

Legislative framework

Stakeholder roles & functions

Market environment

BACKGROUNDANALYSIS

IMPLEMENTATIONREQUIREMENTS

Financing

Marketing

Human resources

PRINCIPALELEMENTS

Infrastructure

Facilities and services

Attractions

Integrating sustainability into tourism plans

NATIONAL

REGIONAL

DESTINATION

integratesustainability

here

TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE

Planning for sustainability in tourism infrastructure

A. Transport

C. Waste management

D. Recreation & entertainment

E. Health & safety

B. Utilities

A. Key principles for tourism transport planning

Well connected international air

services

Provision of water transport options and experiences

Development of major land transport circulation systems linking attractions

Comprehensive network of domestic

airports

Sustainability issues to consider in planning tourism transport

Destruction of natural areas in infrastructure construction and operation

Tourism volume vs destination carrying

capacity

Creation of new adverse social quality

of life impacts

Others?


B. Key principles in tourism utilities planning

Ensuring sufficient water to meet

demand

Ensuring sufficient electricity supply to

meet demand

Ensuring effective water storage and

distribution

Collecting water appropriately

according to location

Sustainability issues to consider in planning tourism utilities

Overuse of water to maintain high visitation sites

Environmental impacts from construction & operation

Adequate and continuous supply of

safe drinking water and electricity

High water use by holiday-makers

Others?


C. Key principles in tourism waste management

Minimising the volume of liquid

waste and ensuring proper treatment before discharge

Developing structures and

systems to monitor waste management

practices

Implementing recycling systems for paper, plastic, glass

and metals

Ensuring treatment of solid waste and proper

disposal

Sustainability issues to consider in planning tourism waste management

Impact of water and land pollution on visitor satisfaction

Impact of poor waste storage, collection,

treatment, and disposal on human and

ecosystem health

Ability of waste management facilities to deal with additional tourism related waste

Others?


D. Key principles in planning of recreation & entertainment facilities

Providing a range of recreational and entertainment

options

Development of effective recreation and entertainment

areas

Sustainability issues to consider in planning recreation and entertainment facilities

Impact of large-scale facilities on

the local environment

Social disturbance from traffic, noise, crowding

and anti-sociable behaviour

Creation of new social problems from local participation in new recreational activities

Others?


E. Key principles in planning tourism health & safety services

Ensuring provision of full range of health care and safety services

Ensuring health care and safety services

are easily accessible

Ensuring good systems are in place to ensure proper hygiene and

sanitary standards in F&B outlets

Sustainability issues to consider in planning health & safety services

Impacts of mass tourism on

accessibility of services to locals

Ability of local services to handle demand from

additional visitors Impact of social services taxes on local community’s standard of living

Others?


FACILITIES AND SERVICES

Planning for sustainability in tourism facilities and services

A. Accommodation

C. Shopping

D. Travel and tour services

B. Food and beverage facilities

A. Key principles for accommodation planning

Understand existing offer

Ensuring suitable accommodation

development

Understand projected demand needs

Sustainability issues to consider in planning accommodation

Geographical positioning impacts

Tourists’ demands vs community’s interests

Oversupply / undersupply

impacts

Scale, height and concentration impacts

Waste, power and water use impacts

Design impacts

Others?


Promoting supply of a range of F&B

outlets

Promoting design parameters

Encouraging sector development

through incentives and supporting

services

Enforcing standards of hygiene, service and

quality

Determining suitable locations

B. Key principles for F&B services planning

Sustainability issues to consider in planning F&B services

Standards in service and meal quality

Standards of hygiene

Scale, height and concentration

impacts

Oversupply / undersupply impacts

Design impacts

Waste, power and water use impacts

Others?


C. Key principles for shopping facilities planning

Improving shopping attractiveness and

encouraging diversity

Linking tourism nodes via shopping

“corridors”

Promoting off-season activities to

support retailers

Regulating to protect authentic locally-made

goods

Establishing premises for locally-

produced goods

Sustainability issues to consider in planning of shopping facilities

Oversupply / seasonality impacts

Location and distribution social & environmental impacts

Economic leakage from imported products

Waste from products and packaging

Economic related dislocation due to inflated retail land

prices and retail tax

Others?


D. Principles for travel and tour services planning

Ensuring tourist information services are suitably located

Supporting local guides

Ensuring accessible training and

certification for tour guides

Ensuring tour operators are licenced

and meet required standards

Fostering implementation of codes of conduct

Sustainability issues to consider in planning of travel and tour services

Standards in tour guiding and tour operation

Standards in transportation provision

and environmental impacts

Safety and security of tour groups

Impacts of tourists’ behaviour on communities and sites

Others?


TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Planning for sustainability in tourist attractions

A. Natural attractions

C. Special events & activities

B. Cultural attractions

A. Key principles for natural tourism attractions planning

Developing natural resources

information base

Providing natural resource

interpretation

Implementing policies and

practices for visitor satisfaction and

conservation

Creating facilities for viewing and

experiencing natural environment

Sustainability issues to consider in planning natural tourism attractions

Impacts of activities and infrastructure on ecosystems

Limited understanding of biodiversity and landscapes

Limited resources for conservation

and visitor safety

Others?


B. Key principles for cultural tourism attractions planning

Understanding cultural resources

Retaining authenticity

Controlling visitor impacts

Provision of cultural information and interpretation

Sustainability issues to consider in planning cultural tourism attractions

Eroding of traditions and anti-social behaviour

Commodification of culture and loss of authenticity

Limited resources to understand function of local culture

Cultural conflict

Limited resources to protect cultural heritage sites

Others?


C. Key principles for tourism activities and events planning

Understanding existing offer

Provision of Infrastructure and

services

Provision of information /

interpretation

Developing and promoting activities and events calendar

Sustainability issues to consider in planning tourism activities & events

Safety and security for all

Noise, traffic, waste and pollution

Undesirable or anti-social behaviour

Strain on local infrastructure and

facilitiesOthers?


IMPLEMENTATION REQUIREMENTS

Creating sustainability in tourism plan implementation

A. Financing

C. Human resource development

B. Marketing and promotions

A. Key principles for financing of tourism plans

Aggressive pursuit of foreign aid opportunities

Supporting domestic investment

Offering a range of incentives

Fostering foreign private investment

Sustainability issues to consider in financing of tourism projects

Foreign aid vs. local development control

Tourism economic leakage

Investor demands vs. local needs

Factoring social and environmental impacts into economic decisions

Others?


B. Key principles for tourism marketing planning

Planning is both strategic and tactical

Current market situation is understood

Tourism promotion is designed for target

markets

Sustainability issues to consider in planning of tourism marketing

Target markets fit desires of local community

Targets consider spend and local capacity

Seasonality of visitor arrivals and socio-economic impacts

Promotions create realistic expectations, and are sympathetic to local culture

Others?


C. Key principles for tourism human resources planning

Meets needs of small business, self-

employed, and government

Policies on tourism employment and

tourism education & training

Understanding of existing situation

Strategy for forecast future skilled

workforce requirements

Sustainability issues to consider in planning of tourism human resources

Availability of required tourism skill levels

Adequacy and accessibility of education and

training

Tourism sector working conditions

Accessibility of employment for locals

Others?


The need to ensure tourism planning is participatory

• Recognise the concerns and goals of all• Engage stakeholders based on interest,

skills and expertise• Understand and communicate all values

of tourism• Develop a shared understanding and

vision for tourism• Identify clear roles and responsibilities

for all• Implement a structure for good

governance

Industry operators

Government departments and associations

Visitors

Community

Investors / developers

Land owners

Industry associations

Tourism-related organisations

Community development & environmental organisations

TOPIC 4. USING IMPACT APPRAISALS IN TOURISM PLANNING FOR SUSTAINABILITY



Tourism impact appraisals are a key requirement in ensuring sustainable tourism

development

Impact appraisals in

tourism provide

decision makers

with:

Understanding of impacts of tourism development proposals

Supportive evidence about why particular projects are approved

Potential alternative development options with different ranges of impacts

Mechanism to foster coordination among stakeholders

Suggestions for avoiding or reducing damage and other impacts

Mechanism to enhance public participation in decision-making processes

Tourism development impact appraisals must cover the triple bottom line

TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

PROPOSAL

ENVIRONMENT

SOCIAL

ECONOMIC

IMPACT APPRAISAL AREAS

Appraising economic impacts of tourism development

Evaluation: • Evaluate economic benefits relating to

travel activity, expenditures, employment, business earnings, profits, and tax revenue.

• Evaluate economic costs based on measuring the current situation and the additional costs that will occur as a result of the planned tourism development, or alternatively, the cost of not making any change

Objective: Determine the cost or benefit to the economic well-being of a community as a result of tourism activities or development in terms of employment, income and wealth

Data sources: Direct observation, surveys of tourist purchases and expenditure, estimates of expenditure based on business receipts or sample surveys of travellers and tourists

Tourism economic impact appraisal criteria

EXAMPLES OF ECONOMIC IMPACT APPRAISAL CRITERIAForeign exchange earningsIncome level changesChanges in employment opportunitiesInvestment changes and multipliersStimulation of other industriesChanges in balance of paymentsBroadening of taxesChanges to property valuesSupport of conservation activitiesStimulation of local entrepreneurship

Appraising environmental impacts of tourism development

Evaluation: • Analyse predicted effects on the

environment as a result of a planned tourism project

• Analyse the degree of impact and change

• Identify the significance of the changes and impacts

• Identify ways in which the impacts could be mitigated, ameliorated, or controlled

Objective: Evaluate the potential impact to the environment and its ecosystems from tourism development and activity with specific mention to the nature, scale and likely consequences of any environmental disturbance

Data sources: Existing environmental surveys and statistics, reports, plans and strategies, observation, minutes of key stakeholder meetings, focus groups sessions, interviews

Tourism environmental impact appraisal criteria

EXAMPLES OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT APPRAISAL CRITERIAFlora AirPhysical damage Carbon monoxide emission from vehicles, boats etcLoss of fragile species FaunaDisturbance to ecological balance Disturbance to habitatDisturbance of regeneration and growth rates Behaviour patternsReduction in vegetation cover and species diversity Killing / removal of animalsWater Disruption of the predator-prey relationshipReduction in quality of waterContamination of fish and reef lifeEutrophication leading to weed growth

Appraising social impacts of tourism development

Evaluation: • Conduct a baseline profile to understand

the current impacts of the activity being examined and identify the groups and communities associated with the activity

• Assess direct impacts of change felt by individuals, groups and firms, the level and nature of potential impacts of the activity, and the range of potential impacts of the proposed changes

• Assess indirect impacts of a change at the broader level as a result of the impacts felt by those individuals, groups and firms directly associated with the change by using regional profiling, surveys and /or modelling

Objective: Examine the impact on social, cultural and political systems that may be attributed to the impact of tourism

Data sources: City / province / district council statistics, reports, plans and strategies, local surveys undertaken, existing literature, observation, minutes from public meetings, workshop results, focus groups sessions, telephone hotlines, interviews

Tourism social impact appraisal criteria

EXAMPLES OF SOCIAL IMPACT APPRAISAL CRITERIA

Changes to economic independence of population groups

Displacement of local communities

Changes to access to traditional economic domain

Changes from traditional occupational structures

Changes in land value patterns

Changes in living standards

Growth of undesirable activities

Adoption of foreign values, ideologies and behaviours

Changes to value placed on traditional art, music, rituals and ceremonies

Changes in attitudes to tourists

TOPIC 5. IDENTIFYING POLICY AREAS TO CREATE AN ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR RESPONSIBLE TOURISM



8. Social equity

9. Visitorfulfilment

10. Local control

11. Community wellbeing

12. Cultural richness

UNWTO’s 12 policy areas for sustainable tourism

SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY

1. Economic viability

2. Local prosperity

3. Employment quality

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

4. Physical integrity

5. Biological diversity

6. Resource efficiency

7. Environmentalpurity


Meeting Policy Area 1: Economic viability

ECONOMIC VIABILITY

Understand the marketDeliver visitor satisfactionMaintain good trading conditionsMaintain and project attractive destinationsSupport business

PRACTICES TO MEET THE POLICY

Meeting Policy Area 2: Local prosperity

LOCAL PROSPERITY

Reduce leakages

Strengthen links between businesses

Increase visitor spending


Meeting Policy Area 3: Employment quality

EMPLOYMENT QUALITY

Increase employment opportunitiesEnsure and enforce labour regulations

Provide skills training and career advancementEnsure wellbeing of workers who lose their jobs


Meeting Policy Area 4: Physical integrity

PHYSICAL INTEGRITY

Tourism developments appropriate to environmentMinimise physical impact of tourist activitiesMaintain high quality rural and urban landscapes


Meeting Policy Area 5: Biological diversity


BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

Work with protected areasPromote ecotourismUse tourism to encourage sustainable land management

Work with private parks and reserves

Minimise damage to natural heritage from tourism

Raise visitor awareness of biodiversity

Raise support for conservation

Meeting Policy Area 6: Resource efficiency


RESOURCE EFFICIENCY

Account for resource supply in tourism planningMinimise water consumption by the tourism sectorUse land and raw materials efficiently in developmentPromote a reduce, reuse, recycle mentality

Meeting Policy Area 7: Environmental purity


ENVIRONMENTAL PURITY

Promote the use of more sustainable transportReduce the use of environmentally damaging chemicalsAvoid discharge of sewage to the seas and rivers / lakesMinimise waste and disposing with careInfluence the development of new tourism facilities

Meeting Policy Area 8: Social equity


SOCIAL EQUITY

Develop income opportunities for the disadvantagedUtilise income from tourism to support social programmes

Meeting Policy Area 9: Visitor fulfilment


VISITORFULFILMENT

Provide safe and satisfying experiences for all visitorsProvide holiday opportunities for disadvantagedMaintain a duty of care to visitorsMonitor and address visitor satisfaction

Meeting Policy Area 10: Local control


LOCAL CONTROL

Ensure engagement and empowerment of local communities

Improve conditions for effective local decision makingEmpower indigenous and traditional communities

Meeting Policy Area 11: Cultural richness


CULTURAL RICHNESS

Ensure effective management and conservation of heritage sites

Work with communities on sensitive presentation and promotion of culture and traditions

Meeting Policy Area 12: Community wellbeing


COMMUNITYWELLBEING

Promote the use of more sustainable transportReduce the use of environmentally damaging chemicalsAvoid discharge of sewage to the seas and rivers / lakesMinimise waste and disposing with careInfluence the development of new tourism facilities

The draft Vietnam Responsible Tourism Policy framework

RESPONSIBLE TOURISM

DYNAMIC & EFFICIENT

COMPETITIVENESS & SUSTAINABILITY

SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING

NATURAL & CULTURAL RESOURCES

HUMAN CAPITAL & RESOURCES

1. A dynamic & efficient tourism sector

Action Areas Key Issues1.1 Policy & Planning

• Recognition given to RT in development policies• Policy gaps and overlaps• Restrictive and unclear policies• Lack of quality data for planning, policies and investment

planning 1.2 Efficient Sector Functioning

• Inter-ministerial coordination • Implementation of plans and regulations • Visa issuing for tourists

1.3 Supportive Business Environment

• Financial and regulatory restrictions • Tourism sector is not adequately recognized• Tourism investment policies not support sustainable

development • Taxation Issues

1.4 Stakeholder Cooperation

• Support stakeholder engagement in tourism planning

2. Competitiveness with sustainability

Action Areas Key Issues2.1 Promoting Good Business Practices

• Negative competition leads to lower quality of services• Unfair treatment of tourists by businesses

2.2 Enhancing Product Development

• Lack of variety and distinctive products and services • Improve quality of products and services• More local products that add distinction and local benefits

2.3 Strategic Marketing and Promotion

• VN brand better supported and taken up by the sector• Higher yielding markets that create more economic impact • VN is currently viewed as a “one time visit destination” • Lack of funding for effective marketing

2.4 Support to Positive Visitor Experiences

• Fair treatment of tourists at destinations• Ensure the safety of tourists at destinations

3. Broad-based socio-economic development

Action Areas Key Issues3.1 Social Inclusion

• Tourism related benefits are not reaching as much as possible

• Lack of planning processes that include local people

• Lack of opportunities for the disadvantaged

• Lack of support to micro-enterprise development3.2 Poverty Reduction

• Planning and policies not linked enough to poverty reduction

• Support the development of tourism where poor reside

• Barriers for businesses to engage disadvantaged people

• Barriers for disadvantaged people participating in tourism

4. Expanding knowledge and understanding

Action Areas Key Issues4.1 Public Sector (national/ provincial/ local)

• Lack strong government commitment for Tourism

• Higher yielding-lower impact tourism not recognized

• Lack of recognition of the importance of sustainable tourism

• Stakeholder engagement to achieve effective sector functioning

• Lack of understanding for the RT approach to planning4.2 Business Sector (management / staff)

• Lack of awareness on responsible businesses practices/operations

• Importance of quality over quantity not fully realized

• Low capacity in managing tourist & local community interaction 4.3 Visitors and Hosts

• Tourists behaving inappropriately at tourist sites

• Lack of information about local communities and customs

• Improving treatment of tourist at the community level

• Host communities not always happy with tourism 4.4 General Population

• Low awareness on the importance of tourism

5. Investing in human capital / resources

Action Areas Key Issues5.1 Governance (public sector, all levels)

• Government / provincial / local staff with tourism responsibilities have little experience or training on tourism

5.2 Business Sector (management and staff)

• Many tourism business managers lack to skills necessary to both operate efficient businesses or contribute effectively to RT

• Staff of many tourism businesses have little understanding on sustainable and RT

5.3 Local People • Lack of skills for people living at or near tourism sites prevent participation and contribution to the tourism sector

5.4 Employment & Decent Work

• Working conditions in some cases not at appropriate standards

• Health and working insurance not comprehensively available

6. Conservation and enhancement of resources

Action Areas Key Issues6.1 Cross-cutting Issues

• Overcrowding at sites

• Destruction of resources by tourists / business practices

• Commercialization leading to degradation of resources

• Negative impacts from other economic sectors

• Weak cooperation amongst local stakeholders at tourism sites

• Weak policy support for the conservation of cultural and environmental resources in tourism policies and planning

6.2 Natural Resources

• Businesses operating in environmentally unsustainable ways

• Low awareness and policies, strategies related to climate change and the impacts on, and from, the tourism sector

6.3 Cultural Resources

• Conflicting interests between agencies responsible for heritage conservation and tourism development/promotion

Using instruments to support responsible tourism policies

• Governments can use instruments to influence the sustainability of tourism

• For best effect, all instruments should be applied in ways that are complementary and mutually reinforcing

Instruments have different functions:

• To measure levels of tourism and impacts

• To control aspects of development and operation

• To influence behaviour and impact

• To encourage voluntary adherence to sustainable approaches and practices

• To influence enterprises and tourists to make operations and activities sustainable

Using indicators and monitoring to support responsible tourism policies

• Set sustainable tourism objectives

• Establish a baseline• Set targets for policies

and actions to achieve objectives

• Incorporate assessment and evaluation of implemented actions

• Make provisions for continuous improvementPicture source:

Pixabay, www.pixabay.com

Using limits of change to support responsible tourism policies

• Establish limits of economically, environmentally and socially acceptable change

• Help manage levels of undesirable impact


Using national tourism laws to support responsible tourism policies

• Set out the responsibilities of governments and their agencies towards tourism

• Sustainable tourism principles should be incorporated into the preamble and the wording of articles to ensure harmony


Using regulations to support responsible tourism policies

• Help enforce compliance• Can include:– Interactions with local

environment and community

– Allowable activities and forms of activities

– Accessibility to places and / or frequency of use– Qualification requirements– Construction and building standards


Using land use planning & development controls to support responsible tourism policies

• Influence the type and location of tourism development and activities

• Can prioritise areas and sites for conservation for tourism activities

• Can ensure sustainable land use


Using tourism impact assessments to support responsible tourism policies

• Require developers to assess potential impacts of development proposals

• Ensure sustainability by identifying costs and benefits to the economy, society and environment


Using taxes and charges to support responsible tourism policies

• Business tax and tourist tax can help affect businesses and consumer behaviour

• Charges can help control visitor numbers

• Revenue raised can be used for management, conservation, or support local community development projects etc


Using financial incentives and agreements to support responsible tourism policies

• Influence behaviour of enterprises by offering financial benefits for acting in a certain way

• Can require enterprises to perform in a specific environmentally / socially / economically sensitive way

• Can be used to assist particular types of sustainable tourism activities and direct government investments in sustainable tourism ventures


Using voluntary mechanisms to support responsible tourism policies

• Non-legally binding codes of conduct and guidelines for visitors and enterprises

• Help establish expectations or requirements of behaviour

• Certification schemes can also be promoted to help improve quality standards


Using supportive instruments to support responsible tourism policies

• Provision of infrastructure and services - fosters tourism development

• Capacity building - feeds demand for skilled labour and enhances local employment and income

• Marketing and information services - support economic instruments, guidelines and certification, as well as facilitate market access, promote particular forms of tourism or products, and influence visitor behaviour


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