1. MEANING OF TOURISM POLICY

Tourism policy refers to the set of guidelines, regulations, rules, directives, and development objectives established by governments — often in collaboration with private and social actors — to manage, promote, and regulate the tourism industry. It acts as a framework within which collective and individual decisions affecting the long-term development of tourism, as well as the day-to-day activities within a destination, are taken. Tourism policy is generally treated as a form of public policy, since it is largely formulated and implemented by central and local governments, though private organisations and community stakeholders play an important supporting role.

In simple terms, tourism policy answers two basic questions for a destination: what kind of tourism does it want to develop, and how does it intend to achieve this in a manner that balances economic benefit with social and environmental responsibility?

2. DEFINITIONS OF TOURISM POLICY

Goeldner & Ritchie: Tourism policy is a set of regulations, rules, guidelines, directives, and development/promotion objectives and strategies that provide a framework within which the collective and individual decisions directly affecting long-term tourism development, and the daily activities within a destination, are taken.

Bannock, Baxter & Davis (Penguin Dictionary of Economics): Tourism policy is a form of public policy, formulated by the public sector — comprising central government and local authorities — together with nationalised industries or public corporations.

General/Working Definition: Tourism policy is a set of guidelines, regulations, and measures adopted by governments and tourism organisations to promote and manage tourism activities, covering infrastructure, destination development, environmental protection, cultural preservation, and community involvement.

1.1.3 BACKGROUND OF TOURISM POLICY

Tourism policy as a distinct field of study and government action is a relatively young phenomenon, closely tied to the rapid growth of tourism as a global economic sector following the Second World War. In its early stages, tourism was largely viewed only through an economic lens — as a source of foreign exchange, employment, and regional development — and government policy focused mainly on promotion and infrastructure creation.

From the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s, tourism policy research grew substantially, though it remained largely descriptive, focusing on identifying the actors who influence and are influenced by tourism, and the mechanisms available to policymakers. Over time, as tourism’s environmental and socio-cultural impacts became more evident — including overcrowding, resource depletion, and cultural erosion — the scope of tourism policy expanded to include sustainability, community participation, and regulation of private operators, moving beyond a purely economic focus.

Today, tourism policy is recognised as a complex, multi-level process, shaped by international bodies (such as the UNWTO and OECD), national governments, state/regional authorities, and local communities, all interacting to shape how tourism develops within a destination.

1.1.4 TYPES OF TOURISM POLICY

Tourism policy can be classified in several ways, depending on the level of governance and the objective it serves:

(A) On the basis of Level of Governance:

• International/Global Policy: Formulated by international bodies such as the UNWTO, guiding member nations on broad best practices.
• National Policy: Framed by the central government of a country to guide overall tourism direction (e.g., India’s National Tourism Policy).
• State/Regional Policy: Framed by state or provincial governments to address region-specific priorities (e.g., a state adventure tourism policy).
• Local/Destination-level Policy: Formulated by local municipal or destination-management bodies for site-specific regulation.

(B) On the basis of Objective/Focus Area:

• Economic Policy: Focused on revenue generation, investment promotion, and employment creation.
• Environmental Policy: Focused on conservation, carrying capacity, and sustainable resource use.
• Socio-cultural Policy: Focused on heritage preservation and community benefit-sharing.
• Regulatory/Safety Policy: Focused on licensing, safety standards, and quality control (e.g., adventure tourism safety guidelines).
• Marketing and Promotion Policy: Focused on destination branding and market development (e.g., “Incredible India” campaign).

1.1.5 ADVENTURE TOURISM GUIDELINE — A CASE ILLUSTRATION

Adventure tourism guidelines are a practical example of a regulatory-type tourism policy, illustrating how policy translates into operational safety standards. In India, the Ministry of Tourism, in partnership with the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), introduced the Indian Adventure Tourism Guidelines, most notably updated as Version 2.0 in 2018, covering land-based, air-based, and water-based adventure activities.

Key Features of the Guidelines

• Cover a wide range of activities — 15 land-based, 7 air-based, and 7 water-based activities, including trekking, mountaineering, bungee jumping, paragliding, river rafting, kayaking, and scuba diving.
• Lay down basic minimum standards for safety and quality, aimed at minimising the risk associated with adventure activities.
• Mandate registration of all adventure tour operators with the tourism department of the relevant state/UT.
• Specify minimum staff qualifications, requiring certified training (e.g., First Aid/CPR, activity-specific certification from bodies such as the Indian Mountaineering Foundation for mountaineering, or NIWS Goa for water/aero sports).
• Provide standard operating procedures (SOPs) for emergencies, search and rescue operations, and risk management.
• Address equipment standards, inspection and maintenance schedules, insurance liability, and a “leave no trace” environmental policy.

While the Ministry of Tourism formulates and circulates these guidelines, responsibility for the actual development, promotion, and enforcement of adventure tourism rests primarily with State Governments and Union Territory Administrations, who are advised to adopt and implement the guidelines and strictly monitor licensing norms.

Compiled from tourism policy references including Goeldner & Ritchie, the Penguin Dictionary of Economics, Ministry of Tourism (Government of India) Adventure Tourism Guidelines, and standard tourism policy literature.

AYESHA SHAHANAT.S

BA.TORISM AND TRAVEL MANAGEMENT (26-29)

ETHIRAJ COLLEGE FOR WOMEN