09 Mar Who is on the team? Tourism Teamwork

If tourism is a team activity – who is on the team?  Probably way more people and organizations than you may think ! … and there are even some folks are on that team that don’t realize they are players.

Sure – there are a core group of businesses that are clearly involved in tourism. Hoteliers, tour operators, convention centers and airports all serve travelers and embrace their role in the tourism economy.

There are also companies that serve a mix of locals and visitors that may (or may not) recognize the importance of tourism. These companies include restaurants, attractions, even cab companies. And some of these companies may self-identify as in the tourism industry – but others don’t.

Other companies, important to successful tourism, may see their role through a completely different lens.  For example, museums and parks, frequently important cultural or environmental attractions, often define themselves more by their cultural or conservation roles than by their role in tourism.

In some places, the role of government in tourism is relegated to the destination marketing organization (DMO). There is no question that DMOs are core members of the tourism team. But they certainly aren’t the only players in government important to tourism. Throughout government – from town planners to police, road builders to utility providers – are people and organizations critical to the tourism industry. In fact, the most effective destinations recognize tourism is truly a “whole of government activity”.

Tourism is a team activity, but it is important to remember the team is a funny mix that includes folks that don’t even know they are players. Encouraging sustainability in tourism system requires engaging all the team members – even those beyond the “core”.