General Background Analysis

Perform initial analysis of geographic boundaries, assessing history, culture, climate, natural resources and existing economic patterns to determine potential for tourism development. Assess impacts of development on cultural traditions and values, and the environment. This study will provide the basis for upcoming activities.

Infrastructure Analysis and Recommendations

This component will focus on evaluating existing access and infrastructure, as well as planned and approved programs. Constraints on infrastructure development needed for tourism development will be evaluated and additional items recommended.

Visitor Attractions and Activities, and their Improvement

Participants will determine existing and potential primary and secondary attractions (natural, historical, cultural, commercial), as well as required improvements and conservation objectives. The positive and negative impacts on attracting visitors will be considered.

Visitor Facilities and Services, and their Improvement

Inventory existing and planned accommodations, including tour and travel operations, restaurants, banking and money exchange, handicraft, specialty and convenience shopping, medical facilities and services, post offices and shipping, public safety and visitor information services. Considerations to visitor facilities and services will be addressed.

Recommended extent and forms of tourism

Determine the most appropriate volume and character of tourism, based on an evaluation of visitor attractions and activities, visitor satisfaction objectives, carrying capacity of the area, etc.

Market Analysis and Projections

Analyze visitor arrival patterns and trends in the target area and surrounding regions, as well as the impacts of existing or potential competing visitor destinations. Establish market targets by number of visitors, type, country, region of origin, socioeconomic group, interest groupings, length of stay, etc. Use these targets to project the number, type and quality level of accommodations, facilities, services and infrastructure required in your destination.

Recommended Tourism Development Policy and Structure Plan

Using the data previously researched and analyzed, develop time-phased development plan. This study would include types and location of visitor attractions, designated tourism development regions or areas (tourism zones) and transportation linkages. Recommend tour patterns and programs, with visitor excursion routes or circuits.

Economic Analysis and Recommendations

Calculate present and projected economic impact of tourism by the standard measurements of contribution to GNP, GDP, or the regional economy, gross and net foreign exchange earnings, extent and types of national or regional economic leakage, income generated, the multiplier effect, direct, indirect and induced employment generated and contribution to government revenues.

Environmental Considerations and Recommendations

Identify environmental problems generated by tourism and recommend ways to lessen them immediately and in the future. Develop environmental protection/conservation policies and programs.

Sociocultural Considerations and Recommendations

Evaluate existing and potential positive and negative sociocultural impacts resulting from tourism. Define ways to lessen negative impacts and reinforce positive ones. Develop actions to generate public awareness and achieve community involvement in all aspects of tourism.

Institutional Consideration and Recommendations

Review/evaluate existing organizational structures and legislation related to tourism; develop recommendations required for the effective management of tourism, including capital resources and development incentives. Propose private and public sector education and training programs to provide requisite manpower.

Marketing and Promotion Recommendations

Develop marketing objectives and strategies, with specific promotion programs, cost estimates and possible sources of funding. Evaluate roles of public and private sectors in promotion. Recommendations on overseas and local promotion representation will be addressed.

Plan Assessment and Evaluation

Benchmarks and evaluation, to determine success, are vital to planning. The Lab will work to provide success targets and timeline benchmarks to evaluate and reinforce the action plan created at the Laboratory.

Crisis Management

Every destination at one time or another will undergo some type of crisis. The key to sustainability of a destination is pre-planning. The principles of a crisis management plan will be discussed and a Crisis Management Plan outline will be prepared during the workshop.

Plan Creation, How to Implement and Monitor

Bring together all the components and create a development action plan, including cost estimates, funding sources and identification of responsible parties. This final project will specify implementation procedures, including the respective roles of government and other agencies, as well as the private sector, standards for the design and development of visitor facilities, requirements of zoning and other land use constraints, use of incentives or disincentives to encourage development according to the plan, and techniques and procedures to monitor the plan implementation and the progress of tourism in general.