Tourism Planning

Tourism Planning Sheu, Ru-ShuoPh.D. Department of Tourism, Hsing-Wu Institute of Technology. No. 101, Sec. 1, Fen-Liao Rd, Lin-Kou .Taipei 24452, Taiwan. 080015@mail.hwc.edu.tw

ThinkGreen, LiveGreen Sustainability, Ecology ----- TravelGREEN!

ThinkGreen, LiveGreen Sustainabilityandecotourism: These two concepts are now and will continue to be major factors in the future of tourism.

WHAT IS ECOTOURISM? Ecotourismis: "Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people." (TIES, 1990)

Ecotourism is about uniting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel. • Minimize impact. • Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect. • Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts. • Provide direct financial benefits for conservation. • Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people. • Raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climate.

September 11, 2001 • Tourism industry, worth $4.2 trillion each year, has slumped dramatically after 911. • The World Travel and Tourism Council indicates that overall demand for tourism have dropped by 7.4% in the two years to the end of 2002 - far greater than during the Gulf War a decade ago. • It's estimated that almost 3.2 million jobs will have been lost.

These impacts (ecotourism and 911) revealed that: • Perhaps no other event could have the importance of tourism to the economy of all areas. • There was no ready response available to the sudden change of so many tourists.

“It will be good for tourism” • Tourism is frequently used as an add-on justification for many projects whose main purpose is NOT tourism. • Tourism is too important to be looked on as an additional possible benefactor.

“It will be good for tourism” • Tourism has traditionally been measured in economic terms. • Such a measurement looks at the success or failure of the means and not at the success or failure of the end. What is the end product of tourism?

“It will be good for tourism” • The end product of tourism is a satisfied customer. • The continued success of tourism depends upon the level and sustainability of visitor satisfaction. Planning is the key to success!

Fundamentals to Tourism Planning • Planning should encompass all travels. If planning is to be comprehensive, it should include all the elements that need to be integrated for best success for all involved. • Planning should predict a better future. Tourism planning’s main purpose must be the long-term betterment of all involved.

Fundamentals to Tourism Planning • Both planning and plan are needed for tourism today. Plans should give focus and direct action to specific project and program development. • Economic development should not be an exclusive goal of planning. Economy can not be improved without three other goals---enhanced visitor satisfactions, protected resource assets, and integration with community social and economic life.

Fundamentals to Tourism Planning • Planning must incorporate all three sectors of tourism. Business sector, nonprofit organizations, and government. • Planning processes today are becoming much more interactive. The older perception of “top-down” planning is being replaced by “bottom-up”planning.

Conclusion • Tourism is defined as all travel not just pleasure travel. Tourists--temporary visitor staying at least 24 hours in the country visited. leisure business family mission and meeting Excursionist--temporary visitor staying at least 24 hours in the country visited and not making an overnight stay.

Tourism is run by more than business. • All sectors need to understand the difference between their perspective of development and that of travelers. • of visitor satisfactions, protected resource Planning can and should be directed toward goals assets, community and area integration, and improve economy success.

Goals for Tourism Planning • Enhanced visitor satisfaction • Better business • Sustainable resource use • Community integration

Tourism Planning