Terminal decisions : a case study of community responses to tourism development in Picton, New Zealand

Abstract

There is a growing awareness and acceptance of the need for a strong community role in the planning of tourism (Pearce, Moscardo, and Ross, 1996), and a belief that local communities can have an impact on tourism development (Murphy, 1985). To this end, locally defined goals and initiatives are increasingly being seen as an integral part of the tourism planning process. Accordingly, residents' responses and reactions to proposed future developments should be seen as a crucial issue in tourism planning, as they are key to the 'hospitality atmosphere' of a destination.

The purpose of this study was to examine community responses to tourism development in the town of Picton, New Zealand. This was placed in the context of the threatened loss of a major transportation link, Tranz Rail Ltd's Interislander ferry service, and with it the potential loss of over 1.1 million passengers each year. Randomly selected Picton residents were invited to participate in the present study. This involved completing a self-administered postal survey, which contained questions relating to their attitudes toward, expectations of, and involvement in, the 'business' of tourism planning and development in Picton. In-depth interviews were also undertaken among a sub-group of these residents.

The results of the study indicate that overall support for the tourism industry in Picton is strong amongst its residents. Residents were not opposed to tourism at its current levels, and even favoured its expansion. Residents also indicated a desire for active and 'meaningful' public participation in future tourism planning. In addition, statistically significant results were achieved when identifying the influence of selected variables on resident response. These findings have implications for future tourism planning, and suggest that meaningful input from local communities should be included in the formulation of regional tourism planning strategies. Any such community involvement should come from a basis of understanding what tourism can do for, and to, their communities, and an appreciation of the relative strengths and weaknesses inherent within those communities. Additionally, recommendations are made for the inclusion of meaningful community input in the future formulation and management of a strategic tourism plan for the Picton area.