Evidence-informed Planning for Tourism

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to further advance the discussion regarding Local Authorities and approaches to facilitate sustainable planning for tourism. Building on previous research into tourism planning at local level in Ireland, this study employed qualitative semi-structured interviews with every senior planner in Ireland's 28 Local Authorities to identify the degree to which evidenceinformed planning for tourism is encouraged. Findings point to a tendency from senior planners to rely on existing legislative procedures to measure tourism activity. Despite the legal responsibilities Local Authorities have to sustainably plan for tourism, together with substantial advancements in the development of procedures for facilitating evidence-informed planning for tourism. The absence of sufficient monitoring of several key tourism impacts at destination level by this study, questions the ability of senior planners in Ireland to plan sustainably for tourism and protect the tourism product going forward.

Barriers to Evidence-Based Sustainable Planning for Tourism: Perspectives from Ireland’s Local Authorities

“…Discussions concerning the sustainability agenda for destinations still revolve around the challenges of monitoring growth limits and managing capacities [4,18,28]. McLoughlin and Hanrahan [8] argue that such concerns can be addressed by applying reliable tourism indicator systems [7,29,30]. However, applying these systems by Local Authorities remains a relatively under-researched topic.…”

“…Maxim [39] further alluded to their legal responsibility for providing planning guidelines for tourist services after examining sustainable tourism planning by Local Authorities in London. However, moving towards an evidence-based approach to tourism planning depends on using quality indicators but also on the effectiveness and commitment of policy makers to apply them effectively and accurately [7,40].…”

“…However, evidence has shown that tourism has only sometimes met destination development expectations [4,5]. Effective planning with a sustainable long-term vision is vital for long-term economic and social development, visitor satisfaction, improved business success, social integration, and the protection of environmental assets [6,7]. McLoughlin and Hanrahan [8] and Mason [9] note how tourism planning is crucial to delivering on a destination's sustainability agenda.…”

“…Early studies highlighted their importance in tourism planning [14]. Their benefits have long been observed [7,15,16]. For example, Font et al [3] note their ability to simplify complex data, allowing policy makers to quantify the actual situation in the tourism sector within destinations.…”

Barriers to Evidence-Based Sustainable Planning for Tourism: Perspectives from Ireland’s Local Authorities

“…However, evidence has shown that tourism has not always met destination development expectations [4,5]. Effective planning with a sustainable long-term vision is vital for long-term economic and social development, visitor satisfaction, improved business success, social integration, and the protection of environmental assets [6,7]. McLoughlin and Hanrahan [8] and Mason [9] note how tourism planning is crucial to delivering on a destination's sustainability agenda.…”