Examining the role of government agencies in planning
...ll regional boards must have complete information about tourism regarding its statistics, facilities and services within the region. The regional boards advice the government on regional factors of management and policies and the boards need to develop relations with local and public authorities within the region to make sure objectives are achieved. The national boards are present to create awareness among the local residents and tourists. Their role is promoting the region locally and internationally, local authorities work for the economic, social and environmental benefits to the area. The boards work to provide facilities and services. They also concentrate on tourism support and development in smaller areas of the country. Local authorities are responsible for planning and development in their own area, this generally includes tourism. Planning departments are linked with local authorities. Roles played: Infrastructure refers to facilities such as roads, railways and airport runways. It includes services such as supplies of water, electricity and gas. Superstructure cannot be built until infrastructure is in built. Accommodation is one part of superstructure, and is usually built by the private sector. Infrastructure is usually built by the public sector or the government. Although it can be built by the private sector if the private sector can invest in the production. To develop infrastructure and superstructure money is needed, and the only way to gather money is by foreign tourists. Although some of the money is spent on marketing and promoting the country. Laws are made by the government to protect the interest of consumers and to prevent malpractice by retailers. The consumer protection act and the buying act are two laws that were set up to stop retailers from misleading customers into buying faulty goods. For example, a package that may include all the necessary information that the customer may need when traveling. If the information was misleading or some information was missing, the customer can file a law suit against the organization that brought about this package. An important role of the government is promoting the destination. This is done through mass media advertising. This can be done in different levels, like regional or local tourist boards. The tourist authorities could print brochures, special travel magazines in order to promote a particular area or destination. Governments try to influence other factors of the industry to improve transportation or tourist facilities. Role of government and the political environment Government Government are people and groups within the society who have the authority to make, carry out, and impose laws; manage disputes about laws; and provide for the defense of the nation. A civil society depends on the active and ethical participation of both its citizenry and government – at local, regional and national levels. Governments that provide for the safety, security, health and basic necessities of all citizens, rather than particular groups or individuals, help nurture civil societies. All citizens in civil societies share in the benefits of economic growth. When governments work for the benefit of the whole society, instead of for catering to private, self-seeking interests of class, race religion or ethnicity it is said that they are working towards the common good. The local governments have to play a role in providing facilities both for local and for visitors to the area. Litter bins, toilets, car parks etc are some of the services that the local government is responsible of providing. These services are mainly for the locals who have elected the council although in popular tourist areas the council will take into account the needs of visitors. In some cases, the local government works with the private sector to promote a tourist attraction. In these cases the local government must consider both the interest of the local resident as well as the company who wants to develop the attraction. The local government usually plays a role in the development of all attractions as permission is needed from the local government to build or develop in an area. Regional body’s main aim is to promote employment, to improve development and application of skills relevant to employment and to contribute to sustainable development. Their rather specific functions are to formulate a regional strategy in relation to their purposes and taking forward the government’s competitiveness agenda in the regions. In some regions, tourism plays a huge role in the economy as it creates wealth and employment. Apart from the tourist boards, quasi governments rely on the government money to continue their work. The Country Commission is an example of an organization whose work involves both professional and volunteers. The effort given from these organizations is closely related to the success of tourism. Political Structures: Political structure is the way the country is governed. The government manages the country and tries to establish a trade with other countries to promote tourism. The government has to play amore managing role than a providing role. Governments should try to lead and co-ordinate tourism and regulate the industry. The revenue received from travel and tourism is re-invested locally and nationally to its people. The government’s attitude towards tourism is really important whether it is held centrally or if it has a more decentralized attitude. The government should have an overview of the whole economy, pushing tourism to achieve revenue to help develop other industries and give them a better balance. Sensible governments will put in place measures so that tourism development is in line with host society, needs, demands and elements of the conflict do not exist. Free market encourages private sectors to start their own businesses. But certain obligations have to be met before any final decision can be made. Political Change: A place or region which is politically unstable the possibility of an attack by rebels can be pretty high. It has to make sure it’s a safe environment both for the local people and the guest community. When people go on holiday, their main aim is to relax so they wouldn’t go to a place where they would need to worry about the possibility of being attacked and where police men and soldiers are walking around the streets. It is important that the government assures safety within the country. Economic Environment Macro Economics Currency exchange rates are the value of one currency in terms of another. A fall in the exchange rate can have a positive impact on the tourism industry. An example: Britain has always enjoyed had a higher exchange rate compared t...