Drivers of change in regional tourism governance: a case analysis of the influence of the New South Wales Government, Australia, 2007–2013

Abstract

The study of governance and policy-making for tourism is an important area of academic scholarship. This paper reviews recent theoretical concepts and approaches to governance, policy-making, and sustainable and regional tourism. Practical application of these concepts is demonstrated through a case study analysis that traces and assesses the main policy and strategic initiatives of the New South Wales Government (Australia) directed at influencing change in regional tourism governance from 2007 to 2013. The analysis compares these main drivers influencing change at a regional scale to relevant themes, concepts and interpretations derived from literature on tourism governance. In particular, it uses Hall's (2011) typology of tourism governance as a framework to explore conceptualisations of the governance structures evident in the case. The paper demonstrates the complexity of the regional tourism governance space, including the ebb and flow of various policy initiatives that have been driven by the political agendas of consecutive governments and their election commitments, as well as a pro-growth mode of governance that does not emphasise sustainable tourism. Moreover, the case suggests the opportunity to use destination management planning as a framework to drive sustainable tourism outcomes.

Strengthening governance processes to improve benefit-sharing from tourism in protected areas by using stakeholder analysis

“…The interest in governance as a concept has increased significantly in the social sciences over the last few decades (Bramwell & Lane, 2011;Kooiman, 2003;Wray, 2015). Nevertheless, despite the potential of governance to provide insights regarding the management of tourism-landscape interactions, its usage in the tourism literature is limited.…”

“…When Bramwell and Lane (2011) wrote their article, only a few scholars working on governance in relation to tourism were influential (Eagles, 2009;Hall, 2011;Higgins-Desbiolles, 2011;Wesley & Pforr, 2010). Since then, usage of governance in relation to tourism has increased considerably (Halkier, 2014;Sharpley & Ussi, 2014;Wray, 2015).…”

Twenty-five years of sustainable tourism and the Journal of Sustainable Tourism: looking back and moving forward

“…Governance systems and regimes can steer societal relations, including social rules and values, and also socio-technical systems, such as the technologies of tourism provision, which affect the introduction of more sustainable tourism practices. Connections between governance and sustainable tourism are explored in the 2011 Special Issue of this Journal on "Tourism governance: critical perspectives on governance and sustainability", and in a number of recent papers in the Journal (Hartman, 2016;Wray, 2015).…”

Private over Public Interests in Regional Tourism Governance: A Case Study in Costalegre, Mexico

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