University Report: Contemporary Issues in Tourism and Rural Tourism

This report examines the emergence and significance of rural tourism as a contemporary issue within the tourism industry, focusing on the application of the policy cycle to analyze the development and policy-making processes of rural tourism. It addresses existing challenges in rural tourism and potential future policies to enhance the concept. The report also analyzes strategies for attracting tourists to rural tourism ventures, aiming to stimulate rural economies and promote sustainable development. The analysis includes case studies of Eurobodalla Shire and Alpine Shire in Australia, comparing and contrasting their approaches to rural tourism development, considering factors such as economic conditions, cultural preservation, and the implementation of agri-tourism. The report highlights key issues like the clash between agricultural practices and tourism, water supply challenges, and the importance of training and awareness programs. Furthermore, it assesses the impact of rural tourism on job creation, migration, and the promotion of local products, offering insights into how rural tourism can contribute to economic growth and sustainable practices in diverse rural settings.

Running head: CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN TOURISM
Contemporary Issues in Tourism
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author’s Note:

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Executive summary
The aim of this paper is to study the emergence and importance of rural tourism as one of the
important contemporary issues of the tourism industry. There has been the usage of the policy
cycle in order to analyze the different stages involved in the analysis and the policy making of
the rural tourism. This paper will also be directed towards the existing issues in the field of rural
tourism and the different plan and policies that can be formulated in future in order to uplift this
concept. Apart from this, there is also an attempt made to analyze the various ways in which the
rural tourism undertakings can attract a number of tourists and develop not only the rural
economy but also take a step ahead towards sustainable development.

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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
part1.................................................................................................................................................2
part2.................................................................................................................................................5
part3.................................................................................................................................................9
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................10
Reference list.................................................................................................................................12

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Introduction
The main purpose of these two discussion papers is to recognize and analyze the
importance of rural tourism in two different areas and to see what are the similarities and the
differences in the path of the propagation of the same in both the areas. It is seen from the two
discussion papers that rural tourism is one of the most rather the most important activity for
promoting economic development on the rural regions, it not only encourages the development
of the rural economy but also the using up of the lost working places. There are usually several
links that one can find between ecotourism and rural tourism as the main purpose is to uplift the
rural areas economically, socially and culturally also keeping in mind the environmental aspects
of the rural regions.

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part1
Figure1: The Policy Cycle
(Source: bizmanualz.com.2015)

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Problem definition- The main problem that were identified was the poor economic
condition of the rural areas and also the loss of the cultural heritage, the natural uplifting of the
rural regions and the different challenges that might be faced in developing the rural areas
through rural tourism.
Agenda setting- It is the first step where issues come before the eyes of the Government and
are also labelled as matters of utmost importance that are in need of government attention. This
can be linked easily to the issue of the development of rural tourism as well. (Saarinen & Lenao
2014, p.363-372).

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Figure2: objective behind rural tourism is sustainable development
(Source: esc.nsw.gov.au.2015)

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Policy formulation- The finding out of several alternative measures that could deal with
the problem of sustainable development existing in the rural areas. (Komppula 2014, p.361-371).
Hence, attempts were made in order to frame and formulate policies for the sustainable rural
development and rural tourism.
Decision making-Government took the necessary decisions that are essential for the
purpose of solving the problems that are persistent in the rural economies, and finding out the
solutions and the process in which those solutions must be implemented.

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Policy implementation-
Figure3: policy implementation in rural tourism
(Source: planning.org.au.2016)
Policy evaluation
It includes conducting interviews with the local people including the villager’s and also
the farm owners about the changes that they have faced recently or the advantages and
disadvantages that they have to come across from this rural tourism development in their areas.

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Discussion paper1
Barry G, 'A DISCUSSION PAPER TO GUIDE THE EUROBODALLA SHIRE
COUNCIL RURAL STRATEGY' (2015) DISCUSSION PAPER 8
figure4: Eurobodalla Shire
(Source: eurobodalla.com.au.2016)
Eurobodalla Shire, known as the land of many seas richly adorned with the coastal beauty
of oysters, orchids, sea creatures and the pure sea breeze is a local eco tourist spot located in

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NSW region of Australia. As records suggest, the urbanization rate has increased a lot during the
past few years and it is mainly because of the lack of proper educational and employment
opportunities.
Hence, in order to solve this problem, the agenda set was to train the local people about
the usefulness of this project and also providing them with better employment opportunities so
that the chances of migration is reduced.
Several policies were made for the proper implementation of the rural development
methods, some of it was exercised but it was seen from the policy evaluation system that there
were still chances of migration due to the lack of proper training and awareness and rural tourism
developmental activities often clashed with the local agricultural practices.
Discussion paper 2
'Alpine Shire Rural Land Strategy' (2017) Discussion Paper 2 Rural Based Toursim
Alpine Shire also is a new endeavor made towards the development of the rural tourism.
It has been recognized as the most versatile and valuable cultivable land of the NSW region of
Australia. The agenda set to develop this place as a rural tourist spot was almost similar to that of
Eurobodalla Shire, but the policy setting and policy implementation has been done in a better
way and is seen to be much more successful. It has used Agri Tourism as one of its main

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promotional activity which has not only attracted a huge number of customers but also has
created a good market for the local products.