DESTINATION MANAGEMENT

Destination management defines a process that involves coordinated actions aimed to control the economic, socio-cultural and environmental dimensions of a specific tourism territory. It should be carried out by local authorities and other tourism stakeholders in partnership, following principles of good governance. It is central to the delivery of sustainable tourism as it allows a territorial approach to the multi-sector, multi-stakeholder, multi-thematic matrix of challenges and opportunities facing tourism development. It is also central to sustainable tourism implementation as actions taken within destinations at local and regional level are best able to influence the tourism impacts.

The Role of Tourism Stakeholders

The challenge for destination developers and administrators is to start by improving sustainability knowledge and skills, reducing green-wash and rhetoric, and collaborating with a common multi- stakeholder vision that offers shared transformational goals to each set of stakeholders that help deliver the SDGs. There should be in place at destination level a solid sustainability policy and programme delivery platform for multi-sector implementation of the global green economy. Priority must be given to protect natural cultural heritage and promote socially responsible, economically viable tourism destinations in both the short and long term.

Governments

Role of Governments include the provision of infrastructure, the development of tourist attractions and experiences, manegment of events and and monitor the complex system of tourism. Governments play an esstential role in planning , policy making and development of a destination.

NGOs, networks, partnerships

NGOs play a vital role in destination mangement such as taking all the stakeholders interests into account, cooperating with local govenrment in order to realize the plans and policies made for a destination, actively helping for implementation of community based project and etc.

Research, education, consultancy

It is a must for DMOs to gain knowledge about the competitive environment, opportunities and threats, and trends that will change the future competitive landscape. Researchers, educational bodies and consultants are the main contributors to this purpose.

Destinations

Effective destination management - based on well resourced strategies and action plans, implemented through governance structures and inclusive of all stakeholders - is critical for achieving sustainable tourism in destinations.

Businesses

Local businesses need to innovate with the changes in the market and adapt themselves to more complex activity, more sophisticated products and a more independent market approach. Some of them took over the role of incoming tour operators, specializing in a specifi c destination and creating products for unknown customers.

Travellers

Adapting a proper management approch in a destination can facilitate greenwash free branding, marketing, and also communication with travelers to meet their preferences and needs.