External Factors » Political Influences

What you'll learn this session

Study time: 30 minutes

How political factors influence tourism development
The role of government policies in tourism
How political stability affects tourism destinations
The impact of international relations on tourism
Real-world examples of political influences on tourism

Introduction to Political Influences on Tourism

Politics and tourism are closely linked. Government decisions, international relations and political stability all shape how tourism develops in a country. Political factors can either encourage tourism to grow or create barriers that limit it.

Key Definitions:

Political factors: Elements related to government policies, stability and international relations that affect tourism.
Government policy: Official guidelines and rules created by governments that influence how tourism operates.
Political stability: The absence of violence, terrorism, or major political upheaval in a destination.

📝 Government Roles in Tourism

Governments play several key roles in tourism:

Planning: Creating tourism development strategies
Regulation: Setting rules for tourism businesses
Promotion: Marketing the country to tourists
Infrastructure: Building roads, airports and other facilities
Protection: Safeguarding natural and cultural assets

📈 Economic Policies

Government economic policies directly impact tourism:

Tax incentives for hotel development
Currency controls affecting exchange rates
Investment in tourism infrastructure
Funding for tourism marketing campaigns
Employment regulations for tourism workers

Government Tourism Policies

Governments create specific policies to manage tourism development. These policies aim to maximise benefits while minimising negative impacts.

Types of Tourism Policies

Tourism policies come in many forms and address different aspects of the industry:

🛡 Regulatory Policies

Rules that control how tourism businesses operate:

Safety standards for attractions
Environmental protection laws
Licensing requirements for tour guides
Quality standards for accommodation

🎓 Development Policies

Strategies to grow tourism in specific ways:

Sustainable tourism initiatives
Rural tourism development
Cultural heritage preservation
Tourism education and training

💰 Financial Policies

Money-related decisions affecting tourism:

Tourism taxes and fees
Grants for tourism businesses
Public-private partnerships
Funding for destination marketing

Political Stability and Tourism

Political stability is crucial for tourism success. Tourists avoid destinations they perceive as dangerous or unstable, regardless of how beautiful or interesting they might be.

🚫 Negative Political Factors

These political issues can harm tourism:

Terrorism: Creates fear and deters visitors
Civil unrest: Protests, riots, or conflicts
Political violence: Coups or armed conflicts
Corruption: Undermines tourism development
Human rights abuses: Ethical concerns for tourists

👍 Positive Political Factors

These political conditions support tourism:

Peace and safety: Essential for tourist confidence
Democratic governance: Often more tourist-friendly
Low corruption: Better tourism infrastructure
Rule of law: Protects tourists and businesses
Political freedoms: Attractive to many visitors

Case Study Focus: Egypt's Tourism Crisis

Egypt shows how political instability can devastate tourism:

Before the 2011 revolution, Egypt welcomed 14.7 million tourists annually
After political unrest began, tourism dropped by over 30%
The situation worsened with terrorist attacks targeting tourists
By 2016, visitor numbers had fallen to just 5.4 million
Tourism revenue dropped from $12.5 billion to $3.8 billion
Recovery began only when political stability improved
This case demonstrates how quickly political events can affect tourism

International Relations and Tourism

How countries interact with each other significantly impacts tourism flows. Diplomatic relationships, trade agreements and international conflicts all affect where tourists can and want to travel.

Key International Political Factors

Several aspects of international relations directly impact tourism:

🗎 Visa Policies

Government decisions about who can enter a country have a major impact on tourism:

Visa-free travel encourages more visitors
E-visas make entry easier and faster
Strict visa requirements reduce tourist numbers
Visa costs can deter budget travellers
Diplomatic tensions can lead to visa restrictions

🌎 International Agreements

Formal relationships between countries affect tourism development:

Trade agreements can include tourism provisions
Freedom of movement (like in the EU) boosts tourism
Aviation agreements determine flight routes
Tourism cooperation between friendly nations
Regional tourism initiatives (ASEAN, Caribbean)

Case Study Focus: Cuba-US Relations

The changing political relationship between Cuba and the United States demonstrates how international politics affects tourism:

1959-2014: US embargo severely limited American tourism to Cuba
2014: Obama administration eased travel restrictions
2015-2016: US visitor numbers to Cuba increased by 77%
New flights, cruises and accommodation developments began
2017: Trump administration tightened restrictions again
Tourism numbers dropped as cruise ships were banned
This case shows how quickly political decisions can create or destroy tourism opportunities

Government Tourism Organisations

Most countries have specific government bodies responsible for tourism development and promotion. These organisations implement political decisions about tourism.

Types of Tourism Organisations

Different levels of government have different tourism responsibilities:

🏥 National Tourism Organisations

Examples: VisitBritain, Tourism Australia

Create national tourism strategies
International marketing campaigns
Research tourism trends
Coordinate with regional bodies

🏠 Regional Tourism Bodies

Examples: Visit Scotland, Tourism North East

Promote specific regions
Support local tourism businesses
Develop regional attractions
Create themed tourism routes

🌇 Local Tourism Authorities

Examples: City tourism boards, local councils

Visitor information centres
Local event promotion
Small business support
Community tourism planning

Political Changes and Tourism Impacts

When political situations change, tourism can be affected very quickly. Understanding these connections helps tourism businesses prepare for and respond to political events.

🔄 Short-term Political Impacts

Immediate effects of political events:

Travel advisories warning against visiting
Flight cancellations to unstable areas
Emergency evacuations of tourists
Temporary border closures during crises
Media coverage affecting destination image

📊 Long-term Political Impacts

Lasting effects of political changes:

Destination reputation damage or improvement
Investment patterns in tourism infrastructure
Policy changes affecting tourism businesses
New tourism markets opening or closing
Shifts in tourism development priorities

Summary: Political Influences on Tourism

Political factors are some of the most powerful external influences on tourism. They can create opportunities for tourism growth or present significant challenges. Understanding these influences helps tourism businesses and destinations adapt to changing political environments.

Key points to remember:

Government policies directly shape how tourism develops
Political stability is essential for tourism success
International relations affect tourism flows between countries
Tourism organisations implement political decisions about tourism
Political changes can have both immediate and long-term impacts on tourism

As you continue your studies, consider how political factors might affect tourism development in different destinations around the world.