Tourism policy agenda setting, interest groups and legislative capture

We’re All in This Together: Understanding How Tourism Advocates Build Relationships across the Tourism Industry

“…By increasing the knowledge of the individuals who engage in efforts to gain political influence for the tourism industry, this work advances the literature related to tourism advocacy by shifting the focus from advocacy associations to key individual advocates and leaders of those association. While existing literature established the importance of advocacy (McGehee and Meng 2006) and advocacy associations (Anastasiadou 2008; Greenwood 1993; Tyler and Dinan 2001) as well the roles of advocates (Bramwell and Sharman 1999; Ruhanen and Reid 2014; Swanson and Brothers 2012) and perspectives of policy makers on tourism policy creation (Farsari, Butler, and Szivas 2011), this work provides insight into those individuals who are responsible for gaining political influence for the tourism industry. These advocates and their ability to build relationships with tourism industry members are the foundation of the tourism industry’s efforts to gain political influence.…”

“…Current literature on gaining political influence, specifically for the tourism industry, focuses at the advocacy association level (Anastasiadou 2008; Stevenson, Airey, and Miller 2008; Swanson and Brothers 2012). Within the context of tourism, studies of advocacy associations reveal that it is the responsibility of individual tourism advocates, within the associations, to ensure that the industry has a place at the table with policy makers (Stevenson, Airey, and Miller 2008; Swanson and Brothers 2012).…”

“…Current literature on gaining political influence, specifically for the tourism industry, focuses at the advocacy association level (Anastasiadou 2008; Stevenson, Airey, and Miller 2008; Swanson and Brothers 2012). Within the context of tourism, studies of advocacy associations reveal that it is the responsibility of individual tourism advocates, within the associations, to ensure that the industry has a place at the table with policy makers (Stevenson, Airey, and Miller 2008; Swanson and Brothers 2012). Prior studies suggest that some of the actions that advocates take to fulfill their responsibility and gain political influence for the tourism industry include creating a unified voice (McGehee and Meng 2006; Stevenson, Airey, and Miller 2008; Tyler and Dinan 2001) and establishing a legislative agenda (Swanson and Brothers 2012).…”

“…Within the context of tourism, studies of advocacy associations reveal that it is the responsibility of individual tourism advocates, within the associations, to ensure that the industry has a place at the table with policy makers (Stevenson, Airey, and Miller 2008; Swanson and Brothers 2012). Prior studies suggest that some of the actions that advocates take to fulfill their responsibility and gain political influence for the tourism industry include creating a unified voice (McGehee and Meng 2006; Stevenson, Airey, and Miller 2008; Tyler and Dinan 2001) and establishing a legislative agenda (Swanson and Brothers 2012). Considering the multiple, and often disparate, perspectives on political issues held by the various sectors that form the tourism industry, advocates must foster collaboration among association members representing various industry sectors in order to create a unified voice and a subsequent legislative agenda (Bramwell and Sharman 1999; Ruhanen and Reid 2014).…”