For example,
community-based town improvements and conservation measures can also create benefits for
visitors ... and vice versa (i.e.
sustainable visitor-based improvements that benefit local communities in various ways).
The world's most significant industry
Adopting
the view that tourism is only about low paying jobs is not only erroneous, but a serious strategic mistake - specially in the
regional context. Tourism is now the world's largest & most
economically significant industry.
For many non
metropolitan regions - particularly those that have suffered major declines in their more traditional local industries - tourism
(and its many economic multipliers) may be one of the only serious economic options left.*
[*Assuming sufficient visitor drawcards
and amenities exist or can be created ... and that other key influences like proximity & accessibility to markets
are reasonably favorable, and genuine community support for tourism exists.]
Planning for a managed & sustainable
approach
By way of example, in many coastal areas (particularly those experiencing significant residential growth),
sustainable tourism now lies at the heart of their economic futures.* Tourism will strongly affect each community's
prospects
for creating more jobs and keeping local businesses
viable - let alone more profitable.
A further dilemma is that,
given visitors' fundamental attraction to
'the ocean' ... and water in general (for its relaxation and other
pleasurable
properties) ... rapid growth in tourist numbers
will most likely occur - whether desired locally, or not.
(*See
adjacent column - 'Planning for success'.)
Consequently, how well tourism is managed and planned for, will
also help determine the kinds of impacts it will have on the locally desired
way of life, its ecology and life support systems, and any special 'sense
of place'
that has been attracting people to both live in, and visit, a particular area.
As a consequence
of its extensive state and regional tourism planning experience, TCDS can readily assist newly emerging destinations with
their tourism-based, civic, economic & business development needs.
We are also able to offer services at affordable rates
to smaller communities, counties & regions, and newly emerging destinations (state, regional, local) - including
drive tourism audits, development policies and plans,
branding strategies, visitor center assessments and visitor communication reviews (brochure,
website, maps, signage). These will help determine if the approaches in use are achieving their true potential and impact.
Tourism product development