Key participants in the growth of the tourism sector
This article seeks to pinpoint the essential stakeholders involved in tourism development. Stakeholders play a critical role in any organization or industry, as achieving success becomes unlikely without their backing and dedication.
A stakeholder is an individual, collective, or entity that influences or is influenced by an organization. Johnson, Scholes & Whittington (2006) define stakeholders as those who rely on the organization to achieve their objectives and upon whom the organization also relies in return.
Engaging stakeholders in the decision-making process is crucial for achieving sustainable tourism development. As highlighted by UNWTO (2005), numerous stakeholders can influence tourism planning and development, either directly or indirectly. These stakeholders fulfill diverse roles and may occasionally have conflicting goals and priorities.
To grasp the significance of stakeholders in tourism development, recognizing the primary stakeholders is essential. The subsequent discussion explores this matter.
National governments are crucial in shaping tourism development. They oversee and coordinate tourism initiatives on a nationwide scale. Effective planning at this level demands the creation and execution of suitable policies.
National governments are responsible for a range of duties, including the creation and upkeep of infrastructure like roads, railways, and ports. They also focus on marketing destinations to both domestic and international visitors while guaranteeing the safety and security of tourists.
The 2022 National Travel and Tourism Strategy by the U.S. government seeks to establish the nation as a top-tier destination while fostering a travel and tourism industry that spurs economic expansion, generates quality employment, and enhances conservation and sustainability efforts (ITA, 2023).
The UK government has made significant investments to promote tourism beyond London and improve transportation throughout Britain, with the goal of enabling both domestic and international travelers to discover the diverse range of tourist attractions available nationwide.
Local governments responsible for tourism-related affairs significantly contribute to the growth of the tourism sector. They enhance regional tourist destinations, develop necessary infrastructure and amenities for visitors, and oversee the effects of tourism activities.
In 2022, the Mayor of London reinforced his dedication to enhancing tourism across the city. As highlighted by the GLA (2023), tourism plays a crucial role in both the social and economic fabric of the capital.
Local authorities are better equipped to recognize the distinct qualities of a destination and can craft a genuine experience for potential visitors.
Tourism establishments and businesses fulfill diverse functions in the growth of tourism. For instance, airlines, trains, and buses facilitate the movement of travelers between destinations, while restaurants offer meals and beverages, and hotels supply lodging.
Tour operators, travel agencies, and visitor information centers are also part of this group. Indeed, international travel is nearly unattainable without the involvement of tourism organizations.
Tourists, whether traveling for business or leisure, are among the most vital stakeholders for destinations, sites, and attractions. They explore these locations, contribute economically through spending, and can amplify positive experiences by sharing them via word of mouth or social platforms.
A negative experience may deter tourists from revisiting the attractions and could lead them to share unfavorable reviews. Such an outcome can be highly damaging for any destination.
Tourism workers, experts, and consultants are crucial to the growth of the tourism industry. Visit Britain (2023) reports that the sector has consistently led the UK in job creation for many years. By 2025, it is projected to sustain nearly 3.8 million jobs, accounting for approximately 11% of the country’s total workforce.
The data highlights the critical role of tourism workers and experts. Without sufficient staffing or a shortage of qualified professionals, sectors like restaurants, hotels, airlines, buses, and trains would face significant challenges.
The involvement of local communities is crucial for tourism development. They might have valid reservations and could oppose certain tourism initiatives. As a result, it’s essential to include them in relevant decision-making processes.
Local communities offer essential perspectives on the needs and issues of residents, along with meaningful input regarding planned tourism development initiatives.
The unique values and cultural heritage of local communities can significantly enhance the appeal of tourist destinations. Visitors often gain meaningful experiences and insights through their interactions with residents.
Non-government organizations play a significant role as stakeholders in tourism development. They frequently address social and environmental concerns, offering crucial perspectives on the possible effects of tourism development initiatives.
Tourism planners must also account for additional stakeholders. These include financial institutions supporting tourism initiatives, labor unions representing tourism workers, professionals in the tourism sector, educational institutions focused on tourism, and other specialized organizations involved in tourism. Each of these groups contributes in different ways to the growth and development of the tourism industry.
This article shifts its focus to the significance of stakeholders in tourism development after examining their roles. As previously outlined, tourism planners need to account for the various stakeholders involved in the process.
The contemporary tourism industry operates as an intricate network of interdependent stakeholders. Consequently, recognizing their requirements and aspirations is essential for achieving optimal outcomes in the planning and execution of tourism initiatives.
Stakeholders offer essential insights on planned initiatives, enabling the detection of possible issues before they escalate. This proactive approach can result in reduced expenses and improved project oversight.
Involving stakeholders in tourism development is a multifaceted endeavor. Recognizing their interests is crucial to guaranteeing their perspectives are considered. Equally important is making certain they believe their contributions are respected and acknowledged.
Various approaches and techniques can be employed to involve stakeholders in tourism development. These encompass direct interactions, community gatherings, targeted discussions, and questionnaires. Choosing the appropriate approach and technique for each stakeholder group is essential, as their responses may vary depending on the engagement method used.
Direct communication allows stakeholders to be engaged individually or in small groups. This interaction can occur face-to-face, via phone calls, or through email correspondence.
Public meetings serve as an effective platform for involving numerous stakeholders. They provide a space where everyone can share their views and address any issues. Proper organization and inclusive participation are essential to the success of these gatherings.
Surveys offer an effective way to involve stakeholders broadly, capturing their key interests and concerns. While they yield useful quantitative insights, their scope is often limited to numerical data.
Obstacles to engaging stakeholders in the growth of the tourism sector
A major obstacle in engaging stakeholders for tourism development is the absence of trust among them. This often results in disputes, hindering effective participation in the tourism development process.
A further obstacle is the scarcity of resources. Engaging stakeholders becomes challenging when insufficient resources hinder the process, such as limited time, funding, or staff. Consequently, securing enough resources is essential for effective stakeholder engagement.
Effective approaches to address the difficulties of engaging stakeholders in tourism development
To address the difficulties of involving stakeholders in tourism development, various approaches can be employed. A key method is guaranteeing that all parties receive necessary information and believe their contributions are respected and meaningful.
A different approach involves maintaining transparency and inclusivity throughout the engagement process. This fosters trust among stakeholders and ensures their active and meaningful participation.
Involving stakeholders in tourism development offers numerous advantages. Recognizing their concerns and including them in decision-making can lead to better project design, improved funding, and more effective management.
However, it should be noted that not all stakeholders possess the same level of influence or interest in a given tourism initiative. Consequently, planners must determine which stakeholders hold the greatest significance in tourism development to formulate an effective communication plan. The article onIdentifying Stakeholders – Analyzing Stakeholder Rolesoffers additional details on determining the key stakeholders.
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GLA (2023) Mayor reiterates dedication to enhancing tourism, available at: https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/mayor-reaffirms-commitment-to-boosting-tourism (accessed 22 January 2023)
Johnson, G., Scholes, K., & Whittington, R. (2006). *Exploring Corporate Strategy*, 7th Edition.thedition, Prentice Hall
ITA (2023) National Travel and Tourism Strategy 2022, accessible at: https://www.trade.gov/national-travel-and-tourism-strategy (retrieved 22 January 2023)
Pearson Education Limited (2011) Travel and Tourism Management: Study Guide, Essex: Pearson Education Limited
Visit Britain (2023) Key facts about Britain’s visitor economy, available at: https://www.visitbritain.org/visitor-economy-facts (accessed 22 January 2023)
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Author: M Rahman
M Rahman is an active writer, contributing both online and offline, with a focus on business management, marketing, and tourism. He teaches Management and Marketing as a lecturer. His academic qualifications include an MSc in Tourism & Hospitality from the University of Sunderland. Additionally, he earned a BA in Business & Management Studies from Leeds Metropolitan University and a DTLLS (Diploma in Teaching in the Life-Long Learning Sector) from London South Bank University.
