Six steps of basic planning process for tourism development

a) Study preparation

• Specify exactly what it wants studied through Min. of tourism or national planning agency.
• Invite a tourism specialist to visit country
• Assess the specific types of planning needed
• Assist with preparation of precise terms of reference for study.

b) Determination of objectives

• Preliminary objectives for tourism development determined
• Modified later based on result of the analysis and plan formulation.
• Establishing objectives in consultation with government. Survey
• Inventory and evaluation of various existing and potential tourist attractions
• Unique to an area and that reflect its inherent natural and cultural character.

c) Analysis and synthesis

• Include present tourism development, its historical background, the main obstacle to its further development, prospects, and potential for further development.
• Analyzed policies and measures taken to protect the cultural and natural heritage of the nation, and any related infrastructure.
• Covered issues: direct and indirect effects of tourism sector on the GNP, balance of foreign payments, employment, natural environment, industry, preservation of cultural traits.

d) Policy and plan formation

• Consideration of all the elements surveyed and analyzed by the study team.
• Prepare alternate policies and outline plans
• Evaluate how well each fulfils the tourism objectives
• Optimizes economic benefits
• Minimizes environmental and socio-cultural impacts
• Accords with the country’s overall development policy
• With participation of government determined final policies and plan

e) National tourism plans often include policies for:

• The development of tourism infrastructure
• Training of human resources
• Development of transportation for tourism
• Coordination with other sectors
• Setting up of councils
• Tax incentives, subsidies and other fiscal stimuli, credit support
• Creation of regional and local programmes

f) Recommendation

Selected plan should indicate:

• The major tourist attraction
• Designed tourism regionor development areas
• Transportation acess and internal linkages
• Tour routeand design
• Facility standards that the country should apply to any tourism development
• Should consider implementation techniques throught the planning process and specify them