Module Description:

This module provides a comprehensive learning framework regarding the design, implementation, and evaluation of tourism policies in various governance tiers. The students will study the role of governments, supranational organizations, and relevant other players in the guidance of the sector. Sustainable tourism and its comprehensive, strategic, and integrative planning from the economic, environmental, and socio-cultural perspectives is given prominence. This module develops practical competencies in tourism planning, stakeholder involvement, and impact evaluation through the application of numerous real-world case studies and policy analyses. The module enables students to understand, evaluate, and develop relevant tourism policies, and to make informed responsible decisions to improve governance in the public and private sector tourism (250 Hours).

Learning Outcomes:

Competences:

At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to: 

  • Strategic thinking in relation to policy formulation and evaluation development in the sector of tourism.
  • Efficiency in tourism policies and stakeholder engagement.
  • Ability to fulfill the economic, social, and environmental goals in the strategic planning of tourism.
  • The planning of tourism requires the exercise of vision, leadership, decision-making, and management of multi-stakeholder processes.
  • Research and policy analysis related to the tourism policies and strategic frameworks of policies is of an adequate standard.
  • Negotiation or public relations with the locality, businesses, and the public in the planning processes.
  • Tourism policy and plans require adequate skills of expression, both orally and in writing.

Knowledge:

At the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following: 

  • Critically define and discuss ‘tourism policy and planning’ and examine key concepts of policy and planning.
  • Examine and analyse the different components addressed in policy and planning such as accommodation, attractions and activities, transportation facilities and other infrastructure.
  • Critically compare and contrast between different levels of tourism planning such as local, regional, national and international.
  • Analyse ways in which tourism policy can be transformed into reality through the implementation of successful planning.
  • Have knowledge of the critical factors and characteristics which influence and shape tourism policy.
  • Reflect on the stakeholders which shape and influence tourism and hospitality policy.
  • Assess the importance to implement sustainable tourism and hospitality practices.

Skills:

At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills: 

  • Apply tourism policy and planning in aid of achieving sustainable practices.
  • Use relevant examples and cases to assess the challenges of tourism and hospitality policy and planning.
  • Apply analytical and critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills.
  • Communicate effectively through various mediums of communication.

Core Topics and Subtopics :

1. Introduction to Tourism Policy

  • Levels and Definitions (Local, National, and International)
  • Stakeholders include NGOs, the private sector, and governments
  • The Function of Policy Development in Sustainable Tourism

2. Frameworks for Tourism Planning

  • Types: Operational, Strategic, and Destination Planning
  • Top-down versus Participatory Models

3. Legal and Institutional Frameworks

  • Governmental Organisations and Officials
  • Zoning, Licensing, and Standards as Regulatory Tools
  • Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)

4. Tourism that is Sustainable and Responsible

  • Triple Bottom Line Framework (Economic, Environmental, Social)
  • Benefit-Sharing and Community Participation
  • Certification and Comparison (e.g., GSTC)

5. Destination Governance

  • Coordination, Cooperation, and Conflict Resolution
  • Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) and Governance Models
  • Power, Equity, and Stakeholder Dynamics

6. Development of Policies and Tools

  • How Policies Are Formulated
  • Market-Based vs. Regulatory Instruments (Taxes, Incentives)
  • Funding Plans and Economic Impact Analyses

7. Risk, Crisis, and Resilience Planning

  • Risk Assessment and Vulnerability Analysis
  • Frameworks for Responding to Crises
  • Planning for Recovery, Resilience, and Continuity

8. Planning for Space and Infrastructure

  • Transportation, Accessibility, and Connectivity Planning
  • Lodging, Attractions, and Facility Development
  • Carrying Capacity and Land Use Strategies

9. Monitoring and Assessment

  • Data Systems and Destination Dashboards
  • Policy Assessment and Adaptive Management
  • Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Metrics

10. Current Events & Worldwide Views

  • Overtourism and Rebalancing
  • Digital Transformation and Technology in Planning
  • Decarbonization, Climate Change, and Global Policy Frameworks (SDGs, UNWTO)

Weekly Breakdown / Session Plan

Week 1: An Overview of Planning and Policy for Tourism

  • Session Purpose: Explain basic ideas and make a distinction between planning and tourism policy.
  • Activities: Group conversation about the difficulties facing tourism in different settings.
  • Recommended Literature: Chapter 1 of Hall & Jenkins (1995).

Week 2: Tourism Stakeholders and Governance

  • Session Purpose: Determine the key players and comprehend the governance frameworks involved in the growth of tourism.
  • Activities: Team stakeholder analysis.
  • Recommended Literature: Bramwell and Sharman (1999), pages 1–25.

Week 3: International Structures and Institutional Functions

  • Session Purpose: Examine how international organisations contribute to the creation of tourism policies.
  • Activities: Evaluation of WTO and UNWTO regulations.
  • Recommended Literature: UNWTO Reports; Hall (2008), Chapter 3.

Week 4: Strategies for Destination Planning

  • Session Purpose: Analyse the planning techniques and destination lifecycle.
  • Activities: Create a simple plan for a tourist destination.
  • Recommended Literature: UNWTO Guidelines, Chapter 2; Inskeep (1991).

Week 5: Policies for Sustainable Tourism

  • Session Purpose: Recognise how tourism policy incorporates sustainability.
  • Activities: Conduct a PESTEL study to plan for sustainability.
  • Recommended Literature: Butler (1999); Weaver (2011), Chapter 4.

Week 6: The Economic and Environmental Impact of Tourism

  • Session Purpose: Analyse how tourism affects regional ecosystems and economies.
  • Activities: Impact analysis based on a case study.
  • Recommended Literature: Goodwin (1996) and Stynes (1997).

Week 7: Issues with Social and Cultural Tourism

  • Session Purpose: Examine the effects of tourism on local communities and cultural heritage.
  • Activities: Act out a consultation with the community.
  • Recommended Literature: Murphy (2010), Chapter 5; Smith (2001).

Week 8: Link between Tourism Marketing and Policy

  • Session Purpose: Recognise how tourism marketing aligns with the goals of policy.
  • Activities: Create a model for integrating marketing and policy.
  • Recommended Literature: Pike (2012); Chapter 6 of Morgan & Pritchard (2013).

Week 9: Tourism Crisis Management

  • Session Purpose: Learn about disaster preparedness and policy responses to tourism crises.
  • Activities: Examine case studies pertaining to crisis management.
  • Recommended Literature: Jiang & Ritchie (2019); Hall (2010).

Week 10: Astute Planning and Creative Approaches in Travel

  • Session Purpose: Introduce innovative planning techniques and digital tools in the tourism industry.
  • Activities: Examine models of smart destinations.
  • Recommended Literature: Baggio et al. (2020); Gretzel et al. (2015).

Week 11: Observation and Assessment in Tourism Policy

  • Session Purpose: Gain expertise in evaluating and improving travel plans.
  • Activities: Develop key performance indicators for tourism plans.
  • Recommended Literature: UNWTO Evaluation Manuals; Bramwell & Lane (2011).

Week 12: Final Presentations and Course Evaluation

  • Session Purpose: Conclude the course through final presentations and peer evaluations.
  • Activities: Group project presentations and course reflection.
  • Recommended Literature: Review of all course materials.

Reading Materials

Core Textbooks

  • Books / Author(s): Edgell, Swanson, et al., “Tourism Policy and Planning: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow” (4th ed., Routledge)
  • Descriptions: Provides an exhaustive account of the planning frameworks, policy cycles, and case studies including sustainable strategies.
  • Books / Author(s): Planning and Policy for Tourism (SAGE)
  • Descriptions: Provides in-depth discussions including a rounded approach covering ethics, inclusion, sustainability, and strategic planning featuring numerous case studies.
  • Books / Author(s): Wiley's Tourism Planning and Policy (Wiley)
  • Descriptions: A practical manual that firmly establishes planning methods and policy-making concepts.

 Supplementary Books & Handbooks

  • Books / Author(s): Veal (Stylus)’s Leisure and Tourism Policy and Planning (Stylus)
  • Descriptions: Offers a multidisciplinary viewpoint on governance, evaluation techniques, public planning strategies, policy, and leisure tourism integration.
  • Books / Author(s): Edward Elgar’s Handbook on Tourism Planning (Elgar)
  • Descriptions: An up-to-date resource discussing global case studies, current events, and evolving planning theory.
  • Books / Author(s): Implementing Tourism Policy and Planning: Problems and Difficulties (Routledge)
  • Descriptions: Concentrates on advanced policy execution strategies rationalized through critical thinking and practical application.

Academic Articles and Case Studies

  • Books / Author(s): “Using a Market Basket Analysis in Tourism Studies” (Vavpotič et al., 2021)
  • Descriptions: Advanced methodologies utilizing GIS for analyzing trends in visitor demand and behavior.
  • Books / Author(s): “Environmental Regulations as a Tourist Attraction? Observations from Italy” (Serio et al., 2024)
  • Descriptions: Examines the impact of ecolabels on traveler attraction based on empirical studies.

Encyclopedia and Methodology References

  • Books / Author(s): Encyclopedia of Tourism (Jafari, ed.)
  • Descriptions: An essential resource.
  • Books / Author(s): Regarding Research Methods – Altinay and Paraskevas (2008), Brotherton (2008), Veal (2006), and Smith (2010)
  • Descriptions: Pertinent materials for understanding research planning and methodological techniques.