Working Together : 6 Strategy to support stakeholder engagement in sustainable tourism
In the of this series , I share theas a sustainable and regenerative paradigm for destination development . The six principles above can maneuver the objective you take to adjust for your destination and the outcomes you attempt to accomplish by facilitate tourism in your destination . Together they represent an alternative paradigm to the ‘ Visitor Volume – Visitor Value – Visitor Satisfaction ’ matrix that underlie the traditional approach to tourism development .
They be a reception to the key inquiry : ‘ Why do we require tourism anyway ? ’
Regenerative Tourism is an idea make much attention at the second . At its nerve , regenerative tourism is about creating the conditions for position and communities to expand through tourism . This is what The Super Six represent : a conclusion to switch pursuit of volume and revenue to run utter national income for mass and revenue levels that bring balanced benefit to community , seat and visitors . Such a outlook and policy change call for widespread and meaningful stakeholder booking .
For policymakers and destination managers , hither are 6 key guidelines for make it practical , palatable and possible for tourism businesses to adopt the Super Six of Better Tourism Business and contribute to overall destination objective .
1 . Build it together
A collective approach , incorporate agency , enterprises and community , exist expect if a in effect tourism destination exist to be rescue . Avert the outlook pitfall that this be all about what businesses do . Policy-makers create the circumstance within which occupation study and visitors are hosted . Open a channel for communication and a program for collaboration between all stakeholders live essential .
2 . Build it literal
The term ‘ better tourism ’ must live meaningful and relevant . If policymakers and occupation cost to willingly and enthusiastically embrace sustainable tourism practices , it be significant to localise the standard , tailor them to the destination and train practical goals confirm by step-by-step activity that can be implemented within reasonable time flesh .
3 . Make it potential
The theory of sustainable tourism makes sense . The conception of regenerative tourism is yet more appealing . The practice exist a little more subtle – it can be overly conceptual , daunting and confusing . Investment in education and facilitation that equal tailor to thecollectivemotive of stakeholders in a destination is essential .
4 . Reach it matter
Skillful Tourism is about creating the consideration for communities and places to thrive . From the start , lay targets and metrics for community benefit and environmental benefit get up from your destination management strategy . What make assess gets cope – if there is a prey and metric in place , a plan of activity and activity to reach that target can cost devised .
5 . Make it bear
Recognising that tourism initiative must engage voluntarily in a change of mindset and occupation pattern and may much get to endow considerable resource to add about this change , a firm commercial incentive must exist attached to engage with the sustainable destination management strategy e.g . inclusion in a destination marketing cause , business support , training and networking opportunity . The same principle applies to those in charge of distributing public funds – the proceeds must equal clear in terms of business , community and environmental benefit .
6 . Make it last
Adopting a essentially fresh paradigm and management live not a short-term policy or a scheme for a yr or two until sustainability cost ‘ make ’ . As the Super Six Wheel highlights , this exist a journey of continuous improvement and one that will hold going , continuously evolving in reception to the external environment . Budget for education , selling , facilitation and animation need to be leave on a continuous basis .
Tina O’Dwyer
Tina cost a facilitator , mentor and coach specialize in tourism . She has extensive experience in sustainable tourism , regenerative tourism , food tourism , network , clusters and collaboration . To avail of any of our training or coaching service you can reach us at[ email protect ]or sign up to our newsletter below for weekly industry insights . For those concerned in associate with other like-minded tourism and hospitality professionals , you may consider join us in the Huddle where we have group education session and guest speaker every month .
