Responsible Tourism Destination (RTD) Model (RTD Service)

One of the main services offered by Dick Sisman & Associates is to assist Tour Operators and others to understand how to apply Responsible Tourism practices within destinations. We have developed our own Responsible Tourism Destination model (RTD) to enable us to give the best possible advice and assistance that we can.

Introduction and background

In the early 1970's a new form of partnership was developed in the UK by the Countryside Agency to deal with the many competing interests in areas of coast and countryside. Essentially this partnership - entitled Countryside Management - brought together representatives of different interests to find ways of managing areas to serve a range of uses in a harmonious manner.The key element to this partnership was the appointment of a project manager who worked for the partnership and ensured that solutions were sought to problems; new opportunities were developed and a forum was provided to exchange views.

Many such partnerships were developed and flourish today in National Parks, coastal areas and around towns and cities. The lessons learned over time have much to offer in looking at tourism destination modelling in the 21 st century. The key to those countryside management projects which have stood the test of time is that they have developed a structure and continuity based upon their achievements.

Why develop a new generic model for the Tourism Industry?

If looked at solely from a destination manager's point of view the answer would be that because of local issues, different regulatory systems, different economic, social and cultural values and other reasons a generic model was not the right way forward. Yet from, for example, a tour operator's point of view it is essential to provide a consistent framework for understanding the role of the operator in the issue of responsible tourism.

The DSA RTD Model seeks to develop an industry wide framework in which the differing local issues can be dealt with in a systematic and consistent way whilst appreciating differences in priority and objectivity

As operators and their suppliers (airlines, car hire, and hotel groups) often operate in different destinations in many countries it is essential that they can make the necessary structural alterations to support and contribute to responsible tourism in a consistent manner.

Our solution seeks to develop an industry wide framework model in which the differing local issues can be dealt with in a systematic and consistent way whilst appreciating differences in priority and objectivity. This is the principle of the RTD.

Dick Sisman & Associates have over twenty years of working with tour operators and others in the industry at the destination level. We have, for example, been closely involved in sustainable development projects in over 20 different countries. We bring all of this experience into play within RTD.

Creating a working model

The problem with most of the models we see is that they are far too complex. The creation of the model seems to become the challenge and target rather than finding the simplest solutions which are easily understood, are practical in application and transparent in delivery.The challenge we have set our company is to offer up a practical working solution which has structure and continuity as its aims.

The DSA Model sees visitors and their hosts as interdependent and finds areas of mutual interest

For this reason we base RTD on a fundamental principle that it has to serve the interests of both the host community and the tourists who visit the destination. By seeing hosts and visitors as interdependent, it is possible to find areas of mutual interest and concern that can be developed, whilst recognising that there may remain some issues of difference.

Models which give primacy of interest can lead to either alienation or demands for regulatory controls to ensure compliance. We recognize that whilst the tourism industry can make a major contribution to local economies and environmental and social programmes this is not its primary function. It is therefore of great importance that destination managers and host communities work with the industry to ensure co-operation in projects which bring socio-economic benefits. We seek a system based upon consensus and mutual interests.

Models can also be based upon a number of premises and start positions. The most common socio economic models identify and define "problems" using indicators or research and work through specific methodologies to create "solutions". They can be either qualitative or functional with specific objectives or measures for action.

Our preference is to start from a different position. We do not see any value in prolonging the endless debate in definition and see no sense in adding to the welter of destination "solutions" which currently gather dust in offices and libraries.

The Dick Sisman & Associates RTD Model

Our start position is a simple one. How to identify the differing interests of the various parts of the tourism product and develop a framework in which all feel comfortable and act with common purpose. In this we draw heavily on our years of experience in developing countryside management projects in the UK and in evolving similar destination management groups in other countries.

DS&A has years of experience in developing countryside management projects in the UK and destination management around the world

The essential part of our model is to develop a structure with continuity serving all RT needs of the host and the visitor. It has to be based upon trust and confidence backed by an informed and balanced service which does not have a position of primacy of any particular partner. If this is not the case and all partners cannot see relevance and value for their interests the model will fail!The model we have developed has three parts:

1. A system to identify the RT needs and wishes of the host and visitor interests
2. A forum to exchange views and agree priorities
3. A structure to deliver objectives over timeIf you are interested in working with Dick Sisman & Associates to develop an RTD model for your destination please provide the following confidential information via email.

• Name
• Position
• Authority or organisation
• Destination of interest
• Email address
• Any other relevant information

Dick Sisman & Associates have developed an RTD for the Gambia. We also have destination management experience in Cyprus, England, France, the Gambia, Germany, Greece, Jersey, Malta, the Philippines, Portugal, Scotland, Tunisia and other destinations worldwide. Please contact us for further details on any of these Models.