Strategic planning for sustainable tourism: The case of the offshore islands of the UK

Abstract

In the northern hemisphere a number of destinations have experienced a decline in tourism volume due to both the emergence of competitive destinations elsewhere and also their own failure to comprehend changing market trends. This paper analyses the particular vulnerability of small island destinations in the decline stage of the tourist area life cycle. In particular the benefits and procedures of strategic planning are analysed and the barriers to the adoption of strategic planning at tourism destinations discussed. The offshore islands of the UK are used to evaluate how the stages of strategic planning have developed and been adopted by the public sector and a framework is provided to allow the various approaches to be located.