Organisations in Development and Management of Destinations » Advice, Consultation, Standards and Quality

What you'll learn this session

Study time: 30 minutes

The role of tourism organisations in destination development
How advisory bodies and consultants support tourism development
The importance of quality standards in tourism
Key organisations that set and monitor tourism standards
How quality management affects visitor experiences
Real-world examples of successful tourism consultation

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Introduction to Tourism Organisations and Quality Standards

Tourism destinations don't just happen by accident! Behind every successful tourist spot are organisations that plan, develop and manage these places. These organisations make sure visitors have a great time while also looking after local communities and the environment.

Key Definitions:

Tourism Organisation: A body responsible for developing, promoting and managing tourism in a specific area.
Consultation: The process of seeking advice or information from experts to improve tourism planning and development.
Quality Standards: Agreed levels of service or facilities that tourism businesses should meet.
Destination Management: The coordinated management of all elements that make up a tourism destination.

💬 Advisory Bodies

These organisations provide expert advice to governments, businesses and communities about tourism development. They don't usually have decision-making power but offer valuable guidance based on research and experience.

📈 Tourism Consultants

These are professional experts hired to solve specific tourism problems or develop tourism plans. They might be individuals or companies specialising in areas like marketing, sustainability, or infrastructure planning.

Types of Tourism Organisations

Different kinds of organisations play important roles in developing and managing tourism destinations. Each has its own focus and responsibilities:

🌎 International

Organisations like the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) that work across many countries to develop global tourism standards and policies.

🏴 National

Government bodies like VisitBritain that promote tourism for an entire country and create national tourism strategies.

🏠 Local

Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) that focus on specific cities or regions, like Visit Manchester or the Lake District National Park Authority.

The Consultation Process in Tourism

Good tourism planning involves listening to many different people and organisations. This is called consultation and it's vital for creating tourism developments that work for everyone.

Why Consultation Matters

Tourism affects many different groups of people - from local residents to business owners, environmental groups to heritage organisations. Consultation helps:

Identify potential problems before they happen
Gather creative ideas from different perspectives
Build support for tourism projects
Ensure developments meet local needs
Protect important natural and cultural resources

Case Study Focus: Edinburgh Festival Consultation

When Edinburgh's famous festivals were growing rapidly, the city council conducted extensive consultation with local residents, businesses and artists. They discovered that while the festivals brought huge economic benefits, locals were concerned about overcrowding and rising rents. As a result, the council developed a balanced festivals strategy that included:

Creating "quiet zones" in residential areas
Spreading events across more of the city
Setting up a local discount scheme for residents
Investing festival profits in community projects

This consultation helped Edinburgh maintain its status as a world-class festival city while addressing local concerns.

Quality Standards in Tourism

Would you want to stay in a hotel where you didn't know if the rooms would be clean? Or eat at a restaurant where food safety wasn't checked? Quality standards help visitors know what to expect and help businesses provide good service.

⭐ Star Ratings

Many countries use star ratings for accommodation (1-5 stars). In the UK, these are managed by organisations like the AA and VisitEngland. Inspectors check things like cleanliness, facilities and service quality before awarding stars.

🌏 International Standards

ISO (International Organization for Standardization) creates worldwide standards for tourism services. For example, ISO 21401 covers sustainability in accommodation, while ISO 13810 focuses on industrial tourism.

Key Quality Standard Organisations

Several important organisations are responsible for setting and checking quality standards in tourism:

VisitBritain/VisitEngland: Runs the National Quality Assessment Scheme for accommodation in England
Green Tourism: Awards Bronze, Silver or Gold certification to sustainable tourism businesses
Blue Flag: An international award for beaches and marinas with excellent environmental standards
Investors in People: Recognises organisations that manage and develop their staff well
Accessible Tourism Scheme: Rates facilities for visitors with disabilities or special needs

Benefits of Quality Management

Having good quality standards doesn't just help visitors - it benefits everyone involved in tourism:

😊 For Visitors

Helps them choose suitable places to stay and visit, gives confidence about what to expect and improves overall experience.

💰 For Businesses

Helps stand out from competitors, justifies pricing, builds customer loyalty and provides a framework for improvement.

🏠 For Destinations

Builds reputation, encourages repeat visits, attracts higher-spending visitors and creates sustainable growth.

Case Study Focus: Lake District World Heritage Site

When the Lake District applied to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site, they hired specialist consultants to help with the complex application process. These consultants:

Researched the area's unique cultural landscape
Consulted with farmers, businesses and conservation groups
Developed a management plan that balanced tourism with conservation
Prepared documentation that met UNESCO's strict standards

In 2017, the Lake District successfully became a World Heritage Site, bringing international recognition, increased visitor numbers and new protection for its landscape. This shows how expert consultation can help achieve major tourism development goals.

Challenges in Tourism Quality Management

While quality standards are important, they can be difficult to implement and maintain:

Cost: Meeting high standards often requires investment that small businesses struggle to afford
Consistency: Maintaining the same quality level every day, with different staff members
Changing expectations: What visitors expect changes over time (like free WiFi becoming essential)
Different perspectives: What one visitor considers "quality" might not match another's view
Balancing standards with local character: Too many standardised rules might reduce the unique character of a place

The Future of Tourism Consultation and Quality

Tourism consultation and quality management are constantly evolving. Some important trends include:

🟢 Sustainability Focus

Quality standards increasingly include environmental and social sustainability measures. Consultants now regularly advise on reducing carbon footprints and supporting local communities.

📱 Technology Integration

Digital tools like apps and QR codes are being used to gather visitor feedback instantly. Virtual reality is helping consultants show what proposed developments will look like before they're built.

Remember, good tourism development doesn't happen by accident. It takes careful planning, expert advice and strong quality standards to create destinations that visitors love and that benefit local communities.

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