Introduction
Last updated:
September 2008
The development of a Tourism Planning Toolkit for local government is a collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism, Local Government New Zealand and Lincoln University.
The Toolkit brings together extensive existing information, as well as developing new resources, that will enable local government to improve tourism destination management in their areas.
The Tourism Planning Toolkit is a resource to help local government understand and plan for tourism. The kit consists of a series of toolboxes, each dealing with different aspects of tourism planning and management. These can be used together or separately. Each toolbox contains case studies and references to additional material.
Purpose
The purpose of the Tourism Planning Toolkit is to enable local authorities to take a comprehensive, sustainable approach to tourism planning. This might involve developing a full tourism strategy for a region, or improving specific aspects of existing tourism planning or management.
Local governments play a key role in tourism in New Zealand. The TPT provides resource for territorial local authorities (TLAs) to respond to the opportunities and challenges tourism presents.
The intended audience for the Tourism Planning Toolkit includes planners, economic development officers, and environment officers in TLAs. It also includes regional tourism organisations (RTOs), private planning firms which work with TLAs, and anyone else with an association with or interest in tourism planning.
This Toolkit is designed for use by TLAs and regional tourism organisation (RTO) staff who have some responsibility for destination management in their area.
Tourism is important for New Zealand’s future economic growth. It contributes $18.6 billion to the economy each year—9% of New Zealand’s gross domestic product. It is also an important source of employment. One in every 10 New Zealanders works in the tourism industry.
Local government is a key player in New Zealand’s tourism sector. Local government manages the natural and cultural resources that tourism relies on, provides core infrastructure, attractions and facilities, and often funds regional marketing and visitor information.
Tourism can benefit many sectors of the community. There are also potential challenges which communities may need to develop strategies to address.
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