A typology of governance and its implications for tourism policy analysis

Abstract

Governance is a key concept in politics and public policy that is increasingly utilised in tourism. Using the notion of “policy as theory”, a typology of governance suitable for tourism is systematically developed. Categorical variables are developed from the relationship between state intervention and self-regulation and the relationships between policy actors and steering modes. The resultant matrix identifies four governance types: hierarchies, markets, networks and communities. A 12-point framework of governance identifies core elements, including classifying characteristics, policy themes, policy standpoints, democratic models, primary focus, views of non-central actors, distinctions between policymaking and implementation, success criteria, implementation gaps, the reasons and solutions for those gaps and the primary policy instruments used. An example of the application is provided using an analysis of state party's implementation of the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity. It is concluded that clear categorical variables contribute to improved formulation and evaluation of explanatory claims, help clarify key concepts and assist in the comparative analysis of governance and tourism policy between jurisdictions and over time.