The aim of this essay is to show the relationship between politics and tourism and to discuss the issue of policy as a tool for tourism regulation in the context of sustainability. To reach this aim, an examination of literature surrounding the fields of tourism policy and planning will be undertaken. Different theories will be given and the role of governments in tourism will be defined. The issue will be discussed in a historical as well as a modern context, mainly focussing on the case study of Bhutan, and a final conclusion will be given.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The politics of tourism
3. The history of international tourism policy
4. Human vs. indigenous rights?
5. The role of governments in tourism: responsibilities and tasks in the context of sustainability
6. The case study of Bhutan
7. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Key Topics
This essay explores the intricate relationship between politics and tourism, specifically examining how policy serves as a regulatory mechanism for achieving sustainability. It investigates the historical evolution of tourism policy and the fundamental responsibilities of governments in balancing industry interests with environmental and cultural protection, using the case study of Bhutan as a primary example.
- The political dimensions of global tourism and stakeholder interests
- The historical development of international tourism policy framework
- Conflict resolution between human rights and indigenous rights in tourism development
- Governmental roles in planning, regulation, and protection of public interests
- Sustainability as a guiding principle in national tourism strategies
Excerpt from the Book
6. The case study of Bhutan
Bhutan is an interesting country to look at in the context of tourism policy. It has a very unique culture, which is one of the major tourism drivers, but at the same time in danger of being changed by tourism. Since the country (same size as Switzerland) and its population (1.5 Million inhabitants) are very small, the government has developed a very strict tourism policy, in order to protect this culture.
Before 1974 no tourists were allowed at all in the country (Burton 1995 in Weaver 1998). And according to Richter (1989), cited in Weaver (1998:157), the first tourists were only allowed into the country in 1974 since Bhutan had the desire to be “recognized internationally as a full-fledged state” to avoid an annexation by adjacent India, as had happened to Sikkim the previous year.
From these beginnings, the government soon established a quota of 200 tourists a year, and stipulated they must travel in a group of six or more. The cost was set at US $ 130 per day, which was increased to US $ 200 for the main and US $ 165 for the low season in 1989, since the number of tourists was becoming unsustainable (Brunet, Bauer, De Lacy and Tshering 2001).
In WTO’s ‘Tourism Development Master Plan For Bhutan’ from 1986 Bhutanese tourism is exactly regulated (World Tourism Organization 2001). Three types of tourism are possible in three tourism zones: • “Himalayan zone for mountaineering and high altitude trekking. • Central zone for cultural tours, including trekking. • Southern foothills zone for wildlife tourism in conjunction with Indian winter tourism…
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: Outlines the goal of the essay to analyze the connection between politics, policy, and sustainable tourism management.
2. The politics of tourism: Defines tourism as a political issue and discusses the necessity of regulation to manage its global growth and impact.
3. The history of international tourism policy: Traces the evolution of global tourism governance through four major phases from 1945 to the modern era.
4. Human vs. indigenous rights?: Examines the clash between international tourism development and the rights of indigenous peoples, referencing the DRIP framework.
5. The role of governments in tourism: responsibilities and tasks in the context of sustainability: Identifies the fundamental duties of the state, including planning, regulation, and the protection of public interests.
6. The case study of Bhutan: Analyzes Bhutan’s restrictive and controlled tourism policy as a successful model for cultural and environmental preservation.
7. Conclusion: Summarizes the necessity of strong policy frameworks to ensure that destinations maintain their appeal without sacrificing unique assets.
Keywords
Tourism Policy, Sustainability, Government Regulation, Bhutan, Indigenous Rights, Human Rights, Global Tourism, Tourism Planning, Stakeholder Management, Environmental Protection, Cultural Heritage, Public Interest, International Framework, Tourism Development, Political Research
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this academic work?
The work investigates the intersection of politics and the tourism industry, focusing on how governments utilize policy to regulate tourism development within a sustainable context.
What are the primary themes discussed?
Key themes include the historical evolution of global tourism policies, the conflict between indigenous land rights and tourism growth, and the regulatory roles of the state.
What is the ultimate objective of the research?
The objective is to demonstrate that tourism policy is a critical tool for governments to balance economic benefits against the preservation of cultural and natural assets.
Which scientific approaches are utilized?
The essay employs a literature review to establish theoretical foundations and a case study analysis of Bhutan to evaluate practical policy implementation.
What content is covered in the main body?
The main body addresses the definition of tourism as a political issue, the four phases of international policy history, human rights challenges, and specific government tasks such as coordination and planning.
Which terms best characterize this work?
Essential terms include Tourism Policy, Sustainable Tourism, Government Intervention, and Cultural Preservation.
Why is Bhutan considered a significant case study?
Bhutan is significant because it has successfully implemented a highly restrictive, high-value, low-volume tourism policy to protect its unique culture from the negative impacts of mass tourism.
How does the author view the role of international legislation?
The author notes that while international agreements provide guidelines, they currently lack binding enforcement mechanisms, making domestic regulation far more critical.
What is the main challenge identified regarding indigenous rights?
The challenge lies in the tension between the freedom of movement for international tourists and the rights of indigenous populations to control their own lands and developmental destiny.
- Quote paper
- Lilly Marlene Kunkel (Author), 2008, International Tourism Policy and the Role of Governments in Tourism in the Context of Sustainability, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/140517
