A Study of Policy Implementation under the National Tourism Development Plan, 2012-2016, by the Active Beach Tourism Cluster

Abstract

This article has three objectives: 1) to study the relation between and the consistency of strategic issues relating to tourism development by the Active Beach Tourism Cluster in a provincial cluster development plan, a provincial development plan and a local administrative organization’s development plan with the National Tourism Development Plan, 2012-2016; 2) to uncover the problems and hindrances in policy implementation under the National Tourism Development Plan, 2012-2016; and 3) to study the participation of the local community and civil society, as well as the private sector in tourism development. A qualitative research method has been employed through conducting documentary reviews, performing in-depth interviews, and undertaking focus group discussions.

It was found that projects and strategic issues relating to tourism development in provincial cluster development planning, a provincial development plan and a local administrative organization’s development plan are consistent with the direction of tourism development under the National Tourism Development Plan, 2012-2016. However, it was found that there are only a few projects supporting the strategic issue of promoting participation by the government sector, the public sector and local administrative organizations in the management of tourism resources. Further, the main problems and hindrances in tourism development implementation arise because the National Tourism Development Plan, 2012-2016, is rarely applied to the strategic planning process. Additionally, project integration, coordination and the collaboration among organizations is still poor, and there are budget and personnel shortages in both quantity and quality. Overall, participation by the local community and civil society as well as the private sector in tourism development is still low.