Subject Title: Tourism Policy Planning and Development
Course/Level: Tourism Management 2
Handout #: 3
TOURISM DESTINATION PLANNING only people oriented but also people dependent. A pleasant
experience for visitors is an important factor for the success
Planning development for a tourism destination involves a comprehensive of a tourism destination. Appropriate training and
process of analyzing a location's unique attributes, identifying potential
development are necessary in two specific areas of
tourist attractions, developing necessary infrastructure, considering the employee qualification namely: attitudinal and technical. It
local community's needs, and creating a strategic marketing plan to attract
may be necessary to establish hotel and tourism schools
visitors while ensuring sustainable practices are implemented throughout and provide scholarships for some students to study
the development process. abroad.
MAJOR ELEMENTS IN PLANNING A TOURISM DESTINATION INFRASTRUCTURE AND SUPERSTRUCTURE– The term
infrastructure refers to all underground and surface
The major elements in planning a tourism destination are: construction of a region. It includes water supply, electric
lines, sewage and drainage systems, roads and highways,
Other elements such as state and county planning and zoning regulations,
communication and other related services. Superstructure
financing packages for destinations and resorts and construction documents
are the facilities and services that are above the ground
are often included in a comprehensive master plan
such as hotels, resorts, restaurants, shopping center, airport
1. MARKETING ANALYSIS– Market analysis requires a thorough study buildings, museums, stores and similar structures. The
of past and present trends, traveler profiles, traveler performances infrastructure comes before the superstructure. The lack of
and habit, market position, and destination images. an adequate infrastructure often hinders the development
and growth of a tourism destination. A country may have
2. ASSESSTMENT OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES beautiful beaches but these are worthless if they are not
VISITOR ATTRACTION – The success of a destination connected to major markets by roads of air facilities. They
depends not only on its power to attract visitors but also on are also valueless if adequate water, electricity, sewage
its ability to maintain them. Destination planning must look facilities are not available. The development of
at existing attractions plus the possibility of building new infrastructure facilities is generally a government
ones such s marinas, theme parks, and others. responsibility. Developing nations may seek assistance from
CULTURE– Destination planning encourages the inclusion of international agencies such as United Nations Development
cultural heritage in tourism. Native customs, dance, rituals, Bank in order to develop their infrastructure.
foods, crafts, ceremonies, traditional architecture should be TRANSPORTATION– a study of the present and future
included in tourism planning to enable a new destination to transportation needs such as air, highways, rail and water is
preserve its native culture of lessening its value. necessary in the movement of passengers and goods. This
MANPOWER– in destination planning, an adequately information can help the government in planning the
trained labor force is required. Tourism as an industry is not expansion of air routes, assessing traffic patterns between
1
Subject Title: Tourism Policy Planning and Development
Course/Level: Tourism Management 2
Handout #: 3
terminal and destinations and measuring the effect of 5. ENVIRONMENT– The aim of tourism planning is to develop the
congestion in major tourist attractions, historical sites, natural resources of the area without destroying them and to
parks, and beaches. improve the natural beauty of the area.
SUPPPORT SERVICES– They include services such as
maintenance and repair facilities, police protection, fire 6. SOCIAL IMPACT– Developers of a tourist destination should
protection, retail shops, sports facilities, gaming, festivals, consider the effect of tourism growth on the local population. Too
pharmacies, handicraft facilities, bookstores, department much contact between the resident population and visitors can lead
stores, art galleries, museums and others. Problems will to internal trouble. This is the reason why many countries plan and
arise if any of these services is not available. It is important develop resort areas away from population centers to avoid
to plan how these services can be provided. congestion and to be able to distribute tourism resources over a
ACCOMMODATION– Accommodation facilities are the wider area.
places where tourist stop travelers and become guests.
THE TOURISM PLANNING PROCESS
There are also the places where tourists spend most of their
time and money. Thus, planning for accommodation is very TOOLS AND DATA REQUIREMENTS FOR TOURISM PLANNING
important to the success of a tourist destination. A careful
analysis of visitor accommodations can help government The main tools that can be used for the situation analysis are published
officials in making decisions such as rezoning, acquisitions of toolkits, websites, government documents, statistical reports, and existing
property, release of public property for other uses, plans. The material for this section was taken mainly from DOT-JICA's
invitations for private capital investment. Tourism Development Planning Guidebook for Local Government Units.
Situation Analysis
3. MARKETING– Marketing is the process of selecting a target,
choosing strategies to reach the market, establishing objectives, The Situation Analysis section of a tourism plan is carried out to establish
coordinating the efforts of those involved in promoting the where the destination stands in terms of (1) socio-economic data,(2) land
destination and evaluating successes and failures. use, (3) infrastructure, (4) tourist attractions, (5) visitors, and (6)existing
plans and programs. Examples of data requirements for each variable are
4. ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS– It involves a careful analysis shown below.
of economic conditions and financial requirements such as
feasibility studies, cash flow, available capital and interest rates. On 1. Socio-economic situation
the international level, economic analysis also includes balance of Population at base year and at projected year
trade from inbound and outbound tourism. Economic indicators at base year and projected year (GDP,
GRDP)
Employment in tourism at base year and projected year
2
Subject Title: Tourism Policy Planning and Development
Course/Level: Tourism Management 2
Handout #: 3
2. Land Use (Source: LGU's Comprehensive Land Use Plan) Supply Data
Land use classification [Forest,. agriculture, settlement
Accommodation Establishments
(urban/rural residential area), zones specified for tourism
use, etc.] Total number of rooms available by size
Area in hectares and percent of total area: Land use maps Total number of AEs by type (hotel, condotel, tourist inn, serviced
may be prepared digitally or manually. residence, apartelles, motel, pension house, homestay site, etc.)
3. Infrastructure. Data on infrastructure can be from topographic
Number ofrooms by type
maps or from the provincial Geographic Information System. A
Classification of AEs by size:
planner or engineer can help locate infrastructure information to
provide a copy of an infrastructure map. Large: 60 or more rooms
Inventory of Infrastructure Medium: 20-59 rooms
In coming up with a list of infrastructure, you have to get the name, Small: 19 or less rooms
the length, capacity, any issues with current facilities, and future
plans, such as building a new one, expanding the current facility, or Tourism Service Industries
just improving it.
4. Tourist Attractions Tour operators
For tourist attractions, you have to list them by name, type, and Travel agents
category. Then you have to map their using standard symbols. You Tour guides
must also collect these useful information about the attractions, Souvenir shops
perhaps with the help of a tourism officer, like policies (e.g., Restaurants
conservation, land use control, financial support, etc.), historical 6. Existing Plans and Programs
background (unique aspects), and access from major airports, In preparing new plans, you will have to refer to existing plans and
seaports, and land transportation terminals (distance; travel time, programs. This will save a lot of time and effort and avoid costly
frequency, schedule, fare, and seating capacity). mistakes.
5. Visitors and Supply Data
Look for:
Visitor Data
Visitor arrivals at major entry points (airports/seaports) a. Comprehensive Land Use Plan. This is the basis of land use planning
Visitor profile at the LGU level. The socio-economic section of this document can
provide data common for tourism development. This can be
The survey on visitor arrivals at the entry point will yield data that will be
obtained from the LGU Planning Department/Office.
useful for calculating the demand for rooms or commercial accommodation.
3
Subject Title: Tourism Policy Planning and Development
Course/Level: Tourism Management 2
Handout #: 3
b. Comprehensive Development Plan. This is a five-year or three-year
development plan with a capital improvement plan. The document
may contain an infrastructure plan that can inform tourism
development planning.
c. Provincial Physical Framework Plan. A copy of this plan may be
requested from the Provincial Planning and Development Office, if
this is not available at the city or town level.
d. Regional Tourism Development Plan
e. National Tourism Development Plan
f. Philippine Medium-Term Development Plan by the National
g. Economic
h. Development Authority
