Local Authorities Participation in the Tourism Planning Process

Abstract

The aim of this article is to explore the weaknesses and strengths of local authorities in terms of their participation in the-tourism planning process in Turkey. A two-page questionnaire Was applied, along with structured interviews with 71 administrators of metropolitan, provincial, and district authorities, between January 1 and September 31, 2011. The findings of the survey suggest that tourism planning responsibilities should be devolved to local authorities. Local authorities do not extensively participate in tourism planning at present because of inadequate budgeting and tourism allocation facilities, insufficient coop eration among stakeholders, and a domination of central administration traditions. Causes of, insuffident participation in tourism planning statistically differ among local authorities, in terms of insufficient realizations of the importance Of tourism planning by stakeholders, and public land allocation for the purpose of tourism. On the Other hand, there is a statistically significant difference between local authorities that have a tourism master plan and those who do not, in terms of a lack of educational Opportunities for planners.