Organising Resources for Rural Tourism Development

Developing a local tourism industry presents a viable option for residents of rural communities that can allow them to maintain or enhance their general quality of life. Capitalising on the unique opportunity that tourism affords will only be possible if a rural community has the necessary leadership, is effective in its planning efforts, and can access technical assistance to supplement local resources, knowledge and expertise. Although leadership models and theories of how to involve the public in planning for tourism are fairly common, still lacking are applied examples of how broad community involvement in the tourism planning process results in increased support for tourism development and longer term success. This article examines the role of leadership, planning, and technical assistance in the early stages of tourism development and provides examples of how addressing these critical elements aids communities in moving towards more sustainable, and thus more successful, tourism development.