National, regional and local are the three levels of tourism planning which involves following steps or phases: (a) assessment of tourist demand and supply; (b) establishing objectives; (c) territorial planning; (d) basic infrastructure; (e) financial planning; (f) human resource planning; (g) administrative structure; (h) marketing and promotion; (i) monitoring progress; and (j) the time factor. However, following five phases of tourism planning are essential and deserve mention.
The first phase is concerned with an analysis of the existing situation and produces the direction for the succeeding phases.
It takes into consideration the policies and plans of other public sector bodies which have an impact on tourism and identifies the existing tourism related programmes and activities.
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This analysis results in assessment of the tourism resources components of the area and the preparation of their inventory.
In the second phase, detailed research and analysis is carried out in respect of the resources and markets. On the basis of the inventory prepared in the first phase, key resources are identified and located and their capacities are assessed.
Besides, activity analysis is also undertaken to determine all those things or activities in which tourist can participate while visiting the destination area. Moreover, resources are graded and classified in terms of the scope of their appeal for the international, national, regional or local markets.
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In this phase, a detailed study related to existing and potential markets of an area is suggested for comprehensive planning for tourism development. Moreover, preparation of master plan is another important step in planning for completing and detailing additional work on the portions of the conceptual plan which are approved for further development.
The third phase is regarded as one of the most important and creative stages in the tourism planning process. The major conclusions derived from the research and studies in the first two phases are formulated at this stage.
The conclusions mainly relate to 5 distinct subjects viz. (a) tourism development, (b) tourism- marketing, (c) tourism industry organization, (d) tourism awareness and (e) other tourism support services and activities.
The synthesis of present situations and the desired future situation in a destination area provides the basic future directive for the development of tourism in the area.
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In the fourth phase, the tourism planning goals, strategies and goal related plan objectives are decided and formulated. These must be complementary to the goals and objectives of the tourism policy.
The planning goals are achieved through a variety of approaches or strategies. The tourism plan objectives are directly related to the strategy adopted for achieving the goals. The planning goals, strategy and plan objectives are closely interlinked.
The development of the plan itself constitutes the fifth phase of the planning process. At this stage, the plan details, the actions and programmes required to achieve the plan objectives, implement the strategy and satisfy the planning goals.
It specifies the roles and responsibilities of the public and private sector, describes the specific developing and marketing concepts in respect of the objectives. Further, it specifies the requirements of funds, time table for carrying out the various programmes and method of monitoring the progress of the plan.