TOURISM GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE BOTH WITHIN THE EU INSTITUTIONS AND WITHIN THE INDUSTRY

Among the 8 Tourism Priorities listed by Commissioner Bieńkowska, who is responsible for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs is the need for improvement of the governance structure, both within the EU institutions and within the industry. Another priority is the promotion of sustainable tourism.

The  questionnaire here below may serve to guide the thinking at both the EU and Member State level about this important Priority as well as sustainable tourism. The aim of this questionnaire is to gather input in order to better understand the underlying complexity of tourism governance issues as well as EU and national differences.

 Scoring:

1. Area of particular need/opportunity- highest priority for action/intervention
2. Improvement required- should also be considered for intervention and support
3. May benefit from some improvement- but less current need for intervention
4. Appear to be satisfactory-maintain
5. Area of apparent strength- may provide an example to others
6. X.  No information available to answer the question/This could not be assessed

 Questions

1. The position of tourism in development policies and programmes

 Issue 1: The level of recognition given to tourism in development policies

1. Is tourism given sufficient coverage and recognition in studies and frameworks for development at EU and national level?
2. Is tourism considered a priority sector at EU and national government level in their own development policies?
3. How much support is given to tourism from the EU and national budgets?
4. What factors may be inhibiting the recognition afforded to tourism at EU and national  level?

 Issue 2: The extent and nature of assistance for sustainable tourism development

1. Are there any major or current projects or initiatives in sustainable tourism that are receiving EU assistance?
2. In general is it considered that current and recent assistance projects have been successful and can any lessons be learnt from them?
3. Is there sufficient coordination between the EU institutions in their support for sustainable tourism?

2. Tourism policy and regulatory framework

Issue 1: The existence of a tourism policy and strategic plans, sufficient to guide the development of tourism.

1. Is there a clearly elaborated tourism policy at EU and national level ?
2. Does the policy commit to the elements of sustainable tourism?
3. Is the EU and Member States signatories of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism and does the policy reflect this?
4. Is consideration given to the financial and fiscal implications of a policy to support tourism?
5. Is there a well-researched and comprehensive tourism strategy and/or a master plan for tourism at EU and national level?
6. Did preparation of the tourism policy and strategy/master plan involve consultation and engagement with stakeholders?
7. Is the tourism strategy/master plan up to date and is a revision planned?
8. Are actions and responsibilities clearly set out and costed in the plan?
9. Have tourism strategies/plans be prepared for specific destinations and are more needed.

 Issue 2: The implementation and monitoring of the policy /strategy/plan

1. Is the tourism policy/strategy/plan being effectively implemented?
2. Are all stakeholders fully involved in the implementation?
3. What may be holding back implementation?
4. Are progress and results being monitored and reviewed?

 Issue 3: The adequacy of legislation and regulations affecting tourism

1. Is there specific tourism legislation (e.g. Tourism Act) that is fit for purpose?
2. Is the tourism legislation fully implemented?
3. Does tourism legislation adequately reflect local level roles and responsibilities?
4. Does other current legislation meet the needs of sustainable tourism and is it enforced in the sector?
5. Is sustainable tourism development assisted or held back by regulations and how they are applied?

3. Tourism governance and institutional set up

Issue 1: The effectiveness of a central leadership structure for tourism

1. Is there a dedicated tourism ministry, department or government unit at both EU and national level?
2. Is there a separate governmental delivery agency for tourism with an inclusive structure and clear role that supports sustainable tourism?
3. Do these tourism governance bodies operate effectively and what are their main needs?
4. Are skills needs within tourism governance bodies effectively assessed and addressed, including in sustainability issues?
5. Does the country engage actively with global and regional bodies and other countries on tourism development and management?

 Issue 2: The engagement of stakeholder interests in EU and national tourism governance

1. Is there a structure or process for engagement of other ministries, departments, or governmental units in tourism governance?
2. Is there a structure or process for involvement of a range of tourism stakeholders in tourism governance?
3. Are NGOs, educational and other civil society bodies engaged in tourism governance structure at both EU and national level?
4. Does the multi-stakeholder structure/body have sufficient capacity to function effectively and does it need strengthening?
5. Is action taken to promote stakeholder buy in and wider public interest?

 Issue 3: The involvement of the private sector and use of public-private partnerships

1. Are there clear and active structures that bring together and represent private sector enterprises?
2. Do existing private sector structures have adequate capacity to be effective?
3. How fully is the private sector engaged in tourism governance?
4. In general how engaged and committed is the private sector to pursuing sustainable tourism policies?
5. Have other forms of business model and structure been encouraged in tourism?
6. To what extent are public private partnerships used in tourism development and management?

 Issue 4: The effectiveness of tourism governance at local level

1. Is there an effective process for involving local government structures in tourism?
2. Is there effective coordination between national, regional and local tourism governance?
3. Are there structures in place at a destination level that involve the private sector and other stakeholders in tourism governance and delivery?
4. Are local communities involved in tourism governance in their areas?
5. Are NGOs and other civil society bodies involved in local tourism governance structures?
6. Are local level structures working effectively and what would help them improve their performance?
7. Do those responsible locally for tourism governance have sufficient experience and skill, including in aspects of tourism sustainability.