Tourism policy

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Tourism policy (from French "tour" = travel and from Greek  Πολιτικά politiká = community affairs) describes the targeted planning and design of tourism reality and future by various state, private and higher-level agencies. The subject of the scientific consideration is the political content, processes and structures in the tourism sector.

legitimation

In general, the state's commitment to tourism policy can be justified by the fact that tourism is a sovereign task, an economic factor , an environmental problem and a social and cultural phenomenon. In addition, freedom of travel is considered part of the human right to freedom of movement , which implies the state's duty to protect.

More specific reasons that justify tourism policy interventions are:

  • Market failure : Asymmetrical information, externalities , monopoly structures and public goods can prevent the market from functioning in the sense of the welfare economy. An example of negative externalities in tourism are airlines, which, as greenhouse gas emitters, make a significant contribution to global warming , but are not involved in the follow-up costs in accordance with the polluter pays principle .
  • Public interest : Tourism takes on important socio-political functions (e.g. international understanding) and commercializes public goods - that is, puts them in value - such as B. the landscape.
  • Regional political significance and integrated location promotion: Tourism is a leading sector in structurally weak regions and is therefore promoted as a factor of prosperity.
  • Transaction costs : The high coordination effort involved in designing the tourism product (i.e. the trip) as a service bundle leads to transaction costs that are borne by the state (e.g. through the establishment and financing of a destination management organization).
  • Prisoner's Dilemma : Destinations compete for tourists and related advertising expenditure is i. d. Usually disputed from public budgets. E.g. The German National Tourist Board is funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics with over € 28 million annually from the federal budget in order to market Germany as an international destination. If a destination increases its efforts (by increasing the advertising budget), other destinations (especially their executive ) have to follow suit in order to prevent competitive disadvantages.

task

The fundamental task of tourism policy is to maximize the economic, ecological and social benefits of tourism and to minimize its negative effects. The model of sustainable tourism development has meanwhile largely established itself in the industry. Tourism policy should, in particular, strengthen entrepreneurial personal responsibility and secure the competitiveness of companies by improving the framework conditions. Furthermore, it aims to integrate tourism concerns into general economic policy and should develop decision-making bases and strategic objectives (statistics, research, models, concepts). Tourism policy is intended to promote tourism in the context of product design, destination marketing and regional development . In addition, tourist infrastructure such as transport facilities, educational, sports, entertainment and congress facilities are to be maintained and expanded.

Design concepts of tourism policy

There are different design concepts for tourism policy. Freyer differentiates between market-oriented tourism policy, which can be divided into both regulatory and organizational policy , conceptual- dogmatic tourism policy, pragmatic tourism policy and tourism policy as a marketing task. While these concepts are all oriented towards the market economy , tourism policy, as a universal planning task, is based on a planned economy approach. From a higher point of view, a holistic tourism policy and tourism policy as a dynamic future policy can be differentiated.

aims

The many different actors in tourism policy set their goals depending on the institutional mandate and the level of political action (local to global). Conflicting goals arise in the event of conflicting interests . A common example from tourism policy is the state-supported endeavor of (almost) all destinations to increase the number of (international) tourist arrivals in order to strengthen tourism as an economic factor. This undermines efforts to protect the climate , since air traffic in particular makes a significant contribution to global warming, which in turn poses existential challenges for tourism destinations .

Tourism policy goals of the German federal government

In 2009, the federal government adopted "Tourism Policy Guidelines". These provide for the importance of tourism as an economic and image factor for Germany to be brought more into the awareness of the population, politics and business and to further improve the framework conditions for the tourism industry. In addition, Germany stands for sustainable tourism and the opportunities that demographic change presents for tourism should be optimally used. Germany should stand for excellent quality of tourism services and those employed in the tourism sector should be better qualified. Likewise, the tourism “product Germany” is to be further improved. The Federal Government is striving for everyone to participate in tourism, and cooperation between tourism policy and the tourism industry should also be improved.

The coalition agreement for the 18th legislative period states that tourism needs a "good price-performance ratio, quality and friendliness in service and further efforts in the tourism sector". “The hospitality industry has to make greater efforts to attract qualified specialists, for example through improved training efforts. The expansion of the tourist infrastructure must be further supported with the existing and proven funding instruments. The German National Tourist Board should continue to support the international marketing of Germany as a travel destination at the previous level and also help to increase the awareness of previously less frequented tourist areas. We want to set up a ' Cultural Tourism Initiative ' and shape it in cooperation with the Culture and Economy departments . The main goals are to qualify actors from the fields of culture and tourism in their interaction and to promote model projects and innovative forms of cooperation. "

Instruments

Depending on the design concept and objectives, state actors use the following instruments in tourism policy:

  1. Regulatory instruments
  2. Financial instruments
  3. Competition policy instruments
  4. Security policy instruments
  5. Organizational and cooperation structures (including constitutive instruments)
  6. Infrastructure policy instruments
  7. Information and communication policy instruments
    • Qualification of specialists (basic, advanced and advanced training)
    • Awareness-raising among consumers (including information campaigns)
    • Advertising campaigns
    • Information and advice offers
    • Appeals and recommendations / suggestions for action
    • public relation
    • Public consultations and referendums
  8. Recognition and appreciation

The instruments can be divided into hard to soft instruments according to the intensity of the associated measures. In addition, they can be categorized according to those influenced ( supplier , customer , market ).

Structures

The structures of tourism policy vary greatly: In countries with a high level of economic dependence on international tourism, tourism policy is often set up as a sectoral policy with its own tourism ministry. Since tourism basically affects various policy areas, tourism policy in other countries can be understood and organized as a cross-sectional task. It is therefore necessary that tourism policy has an integrating effect on the various sectors.

In Germany, there is a division of competencies between the federal government and the federal states, which is regulated by Articles 30 and 70 ff. Of the Basic Law. The essential competencies for the more concrete political shaping of tourism lie with the federal states. The Federal-State Committee on Tourism acts as a coordinating body between the federal and state governments.

actors

Tourism policy actors can u. a. differentiate according to legal form (public law, private law, mixed forms), political levels (global to local) and professional affiliation.

Situation in Germany

In German tourism policy there are numerous private, state and higher-level actors with a variety of competencies and responsibilities.

State actors at the national level

Unlike in many other countries such as France, Germany does not have an independent tourism ministry. Instead, the federal government appoints a tourism commissioner (usually Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Economics). The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy is in charge of coordinating tourism policy at the federal level . Due to the complexity of tourism policy, however, there are numerous overlaps with the areas of responsibility of other departments (e.g. labor and social affairs , environment , transport and digital infrastructure ).

The Tourism Committee of the German Bundestag, chaired by Heike Brehmer (CDU / CSU), advises drafts on tourism policy, proposals, briefings and reports from parliament and ministry. The Advisory Council for Tourism, which is made up of representatives of the central associations, trade unions, the press and consumer associations, is also available to advise the Federal Minister of Economics on tourism issues.

Non-state actors (mixed forms and private actors)

The umbrella organization for all national, regional and municipal tourism organizations is the German Tourism Association . He founded the German National Tourist Board, which serves to market Germany as a destination for foreign tourists. Other actors are private companies and non-governmental organizations such as B. the Naturschutzbund Deutschland , the World Wide Fund for Nature , which are active both nationally and internationally, or the General German Bicycle Club .

Tourism policy actors at the European level

In the European Commission, as a supranational administrative body , the Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry is in charge of EU tourism policy. The European Travel Commission national umbrella organization Destination marketing organizations marketing Europe as a tourist destination.

Tourism policy actors on a global level

The leading international actor in tourism policy is the World Tourism Organization . The World Tourism Organization, with currently 156 member states, pursues the goal of responsible, sustainable and generally accessible tourism.

The aim of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), founded in 1991, is to emphasize the importance of tourism as one of the most important economic sectors. The WTTC is the only tourism organization that represents the private sector worldwide and serves as a forum for important companies from the tourism industry.

The Tourism Committee of the Intergovernmental Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development works u. a. in reducing travel difficulties within its member countries and promoting sustainable tourism. A large number of non-governmental organizations, such as the aforementioned World Wide Fund for Nature or the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources , are also active at the international level . a. as the basis of tourism.

Current topics in tourism policy

Currently, questions of inclusive and sustainable tourism development determine the tourism policy agendas. This includes the effects of demographic change and climate change on tourism and the adaptation to these phenomena. The barrier-free design of tourism plays a central role, especially in demographic terms .

See also

literature

Textbooks
  • Werner Oppitz: International tourism policy. Manz-Verlag school book 2000, ISBN 3-7068-0108-6 .
  • Walter Freyer: Tourism - Introduction to Tourism Economics. Oldenbourg Wissenschaftsverlag, 10th revised and updated edition 2011, ISBN 978-3-486-59673-1 .
  • Jörn W Mundt: Tourism Policy. Oldenbourg Wissenschaftsverlag, 2004, ISBN 3-486-27556-9 .
  • Hansruedi Müller: Tourism Policy - Paths to Sustainable Development. Rüegger Verlag, 1st edition 2011, ISBN 978-3-7253-0971-9 .
  • Thomas Bieger : Tourism theory - a floor plan. UTB Stuttgart, 3rd revised edition 2010, ISBN 978-3-8252-2536-0 .
  • Axel Schulz, Waldemar Berg, Marco A. Gardini, Torsten Kirstges, Bernd Eisenstein: Basics of tourism - textbook in 5 modules. Oldenbourg Wissenschaftsverlag, 2010, ISBN 978-3-486-59725-7 .
  • Dianne Dredge, John Jenkins: Tourism planning and policy. John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 2007, ISBN 978-0-470-80776-7 .
Scientific journals
  • International Journal of Tourism Policy
  • Journal of Policy Research in Tourism, Leisure and Events
  • Tourism Management: Research, Policies, Practice
  • Journal of Sustainable Tourism

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c d e Walter Freyer: Tourism - Introduction to Tourism Economics. 2011, ISBN 978-3-486-59673-1 , p. 362 f.
  2. ^ Hansruedi Müller: Tourism Policy - Paths to Sustainable Development. Rüegger Verlag, 2010, ISBN 978-3-7253-0971-9 , pp. 87 ff.
  3. ↑ Thomas Bieger : Tourism theory - a floor plan. 2010, p. 269 ff.
  4. ↑ Climate change as an external effect. forschungsinformationssystem.de, March 25, 2011, accessed on January 25, 2014.
  5. ↑ a b c actors. Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, accessed on January 25, 2014.
  6. ↑ DTV position paper Tourism and Sustainable Development in Germany , accessed on January 25, 2014 (PDF)
  7. ↑ a b Germany's tourism policy. E-travel-pedia, 12/2011, accessed on January 25, 2014.
  8. ^ Walter Freyer: Tourism - Introduction to Tourism Economics. 2011, ISBN 978-3-486-59673-1 , p. 369 ff.
  9. ↑ Dossier Climate Change and Tourism - The Interrelationships. ( Memento of the original from February 2, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. NFI, accessed January 25, 2014. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.nfi.at
  10. ↑ Climate change and tourism: where is the journey going? Deutsche Bank Research, accessed January 25, 2014.
  11. ↑ Tourism policy guidelines of the federal government. Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, 2009.
  12. ^ Coalition agreement, 18th legislative period. CDU, accessed on January 25, 2014.
  13. ^ Florian Carius State Leisure and Tourism Policy - Materials for the course. Unpublished manuscript, 2013, University of Bremen.
  14. ↑ a b c d e f g Kahlenborn, Kraak, Carius: Tourism and environmental policy. 1999, Springer-Verlag, ISBN 978-3-540-64873-4 , p. 61 f.
  15. ↑ a b c d e Tourism Policy Report of the Federal Government, 17th legislative period Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, accessed on January 25, 2014. (PDF)
  16. ^ Walter Freyer: Tourism - Introduction to Tourism Economics. 2011, ISBN 978-3-486-59673-1 , p. 376 ff.
  17. ↑ Our Mission. WTTC website, accessed January 25, 2014 27
  18. ↑ About the OECD. Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, accessed January 25, 2014
  19. ↑ David Edgell Sr., Maria DelMaestro Allen, Ginger Smith, Jason Swanson: Tourism Policy and Planning. Elsevier, 2008, ISBN 978-0-7506-8557-3 , p. 143 ff.
  20. ^ Walter Kahlenborn, Michael Kraak, Alexander Carius: Tourism and environmental policy. 1999, p. 7 f.
  21. ↑ What we do. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, accessed January 25, 2014.