Who really owns and takes control of the development, marketing and sustainable management of a tourist destination?
Is it the Tourism Ministries and Destination Management Organisations (DMOs)? Or the state or national government under whose jurisdiction the destination is located? Or is it the host communities?
The destination stewardship model outlines a more inclusive approach that balances the need of a destination and its host communities whilst operating under a participatory governance system; in this case, EVERYONE is responsible for the success of the destination, from the micro-scale as the host community to the macro-scale at the state or national level. Together, these actors and their decisions form an interdependent multi-level governance system.
Destination stewardship in less developed regions is especially very essential, as host communities are only supportive of sustainable tourism efforts when they are carried along and there are mutual interests between the public, private sector and the community. When they begin to see the destination as one of their own, a place that has a direct or indirect attachment to their livelihoods and not a ‘foreign’ money-guzzling venture by the DMOs and government while their needs are abandoned, they will be moved to more protective of their environment and the attractions therein.
Social vices such as looting and vandalism of the destinations during crises, harassment of tourists and visitors to the destinations, insecurity challenges and general disgruntlement from the local community can be averted, knowing they are direct beneficiaries of better infrastructure, public spaces and amenities, better jobs among others provided by these destinations.
Admittedly, what works for one region may not work for the other, as contextual situations may differ. However, an effective destination stewardship approach will generally be more socially inclusive, collaborative and mutually beneficial to all parties involved.
This insight was culled from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Destination Stewardship Framework