Agents Of Tourism Development
Agents and Businesses of the tourism industry and tourism development can be categorised into three sectors: Private, Public and Voluntary. Private Sector is the part of the economy that is not state controlled, and is run by individuals and companies for profit. The private sector encompasses all for-profit businesses that are not owned or operated by the government. Companies and corporations that are government run are part of what is known as the public sector, while charities and other non-profit organizations are part of the voluntary sector.
Private Sector
The Private Sector is businesses that are owned by private shareholders and not the state. In most free-market economies, the private sector is the sector where most jobs are held. This differs from countries where the government exerts considerable power over the economy, like in the People's Republic of China. However, this part of the economy is not state controlled, and is run by individuals and companies for profit.
Travel companies are a huge agent in tourism development in the Private Sector, with enterpreneurs utilising the industry to make a profit. An example of this Is Richard Branson, the CEO and founder of the successful British airline, Virgin Atlantic. Their objectives, which are outlined in their website are; 'Our objective is to fly a profitable airline that people love to fly and where people love to work. Our focus is on further improving customer services for our
business and leisure travellers, as well as setting new standards for the rest of the industry to follow. Our strategy is to ensure we offer the best business product in the air, grow our leisure business even further, and run an efficient but effective global airline.'
Travel companies are a huge agent in tourism development in the Private Sector, with enterpreneurs utilising the industry to make a profit. An example of this Is Richard Branson, the CEO and founder of the successful British airline, Virgin Atlantic. Their objectives, which are outlined in their website are; 'Our objective is to fly a profitable airline that people love to fly and where people love to work. Our focus is on further improving customer services for our
business and leisure travellers, as well as setting new standards for the rest of the industry to follow. Our strategy is to ensure we offer the best business product in the air, grow our leisure business even further, and run an efficient but effective global airline.'
Public Sector
Public Sector – Nationalised industries and services
A public sector business is usually funded by the government through the tax payers’ money. An example for this would be the VisitEngland Tourist Board. The Mission statement for VisitEngland is: "to grow the value of the domestic tourism market by encouraging people to spend more on tourism throughout the English regions, throughout the year.” The aims and objectives of this company would be to try and persuade people from across the world, as well as Great Britain to spend their holiday in England. This will create money for all the local economies as well as the national economy.
Tourism development
Individual businesses will undertake their own development programmes to a greater or lesser degree, depending on the business. But destination-wide programmes need public sector support to succeed, at least in the early stages, and often throughout the life of a development programme. These programmes include:
-raising quality standards
-training the workforce (in particular the micro-business sector)
-delivering strategic objectives (e.g sustainable business operation, greater uptake of local produce, improved access)
-conservation and management of heritage and landscape areas.
It is argued that in most developing countries government involvement in tourism is required not only to attain long-term objectives but to compensate for the absence of a strong and tourism-experienced private sector.The Trinidad & Tobago’s government is taking steps to develop and diversify the tourism industry to make it more attractive, sustainable and to promote higher standard quality as a tourist destination in the Caribbean. Areas of intensified focus include business conventions, conference hosting, eco-adventure, sport and recreation, history and cultural tourism.
The Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS) has seized the opportunity to support government’s efforts by encouraging the tourism industry to use standards to improve the quality of its products and services. The primary role of TTBS is to develop, promote and enforce standards, in order to improve the quality and performance of goods produced or used in the Republic of Trinidad
and Tobago.
* To ensure industrial efficiency and development.
* To promote public and industrial welfare, health and safety.
* To protect the environment.
A public sector business is usually funded by the government through the tax payers’ money. An example for this would be the VisitEngland Tourist Board. The Mission statement for VisitEngland is: "to grow the value of the domestic tourism market by encouraging people to spend more on tourism throughout the English regions, throughout the year.” The aims and objectives of this company would be to try and persuade people from across the world, as well as Great Britain to spend their holiday in England. This will create money for all the local economies as well as the national economy.
Tourism development
Individual businesses will undertake their own development programmes to a greater or lesser degree, depending on the business. But destination-wide programmes need public sector support to succeed, at least in the early stages, and often throughout the life of a development programme. These programmes include:
-raising quality standards
-training the workforce (in particular the micro-business sector)
-delivering strategic objectives (e.g sustainable business operation, greater uptake of local produce, improved access)
-conservation and management of heritage and landscape areas.
It is argued that in most developing countries government involvement in tourism is required not only to attain long-term objectives but to compensate for the absence of a strong and tourism-experienced private sector.The Trinidad & Tobago’s government is taking steps to develop and diversify the tourism industry to make it more attractive, sustainable and to promote higher standard quality as a tourist destination in the Caribbean. Areas of intensified focus include business conventions, conference hosting, eco-adventure, sport and recreation, history and cultural tourism.
The Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS) has seized the opportunity to support government’s efforts by encouraging the tourism industry to use standards to improve the quality of its products and services. The primary role of TTBS is to develop, promote and enforce standards, in order to improve the quality and performance of goods produced or used in the Republic of Trinidad
and Tobago.
* To ensure industrial efficiency and development.
* To promote public and industrial welfare, health and safety.
* To protect the environment.
Voluntary Sector
The voluntary sector in tourism comprises all the activities and services provided on the basis of volunteering, which in turn refers to unpaid work accomplished within the context of a formal business (public or private) or an association. This sector is made up from non-profit organisations, such as registered charities, community groups and pressure groups. Their role is an important one in the travel and tourism industry as they promote special issues and interests, both domestically and internationally. Without the voluntary sector, many worldwide destinations would suffer and many cultures and traditions would disappear after the onset of tourism development. They will receive their source of funding through donations, grants, membership fees, admission fees and sales.
Community groups often work at local levels to campaign for changes that will benefit the community.
Pressure groups generally try to influence plans made by local or national governments.
Conservation organisations will want to keep the environment sought by holidaymakers, but at the same time large numbers of holiday makers can threaten that environment. They will do all they can to try and preserve the environment.
Tourism Concern seeks to strengthen the bargaining position of local destination interest groups, facilitate equitable market access for small stakeholders, raise awareness amongst consumers and influence international trade policy. Our Fair Trade in Tourism Network developed some basic guidelines and principles for Fair Trade in Tourism. These remain the basis for Tourism Concern's ongoing endeavours to make fair trade in tourism a reality.
Community groups often work at local levels to campaign for changes that will benefit the community.
Pressure groups generally try to influence plans made by local or national governments.
Conservation organisations will want to keep the environment sought by holidaymakers, but at the same time large numbers of holiday makers can threaten that environment. They will do all they can to try and preserve the environment.
Tourism Concern seeks to strengthen the bargaining position of local destination interest groups, facilitate equitable market access for small stakeholders, raise awareness amongst consumers and influence international trade policy. Our Fair Trade in Tourism Network developed some basic guidelines and principles for Fair Trade in Tourism. These remain the basis for Tourism Concern's ongoing endeavours to make fair trade in tourism a reality.