SITTPPD604
Develop and implement local or regional tourism plan

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to develop and implement a strategic tourism plan in a local or regional area. It requires the ability to develop the plan in consultation with the local community and monitor its success in the context of the overall and long-term operation of tourism as an industry in the area.

Application

This unit applies to individuals working at senior levels in local, regional, state or territory tourism organisations who have a strategic tourism planning role.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1. Conduct research to support tourism planning.

1.1 Gather and analyse current internal and external business and market information.

1.2 Evaluate and consult with others about overall approach to tourism development in the area.

1.3 Research and develop an inventory of tourism infrastructure and carrying capacity of the area.

1.4 Analyse product and service gaps and potential for future development and innovation.

1.5 Analyse current skill profile and potential skills gaps in local labour force.

1.6 Assess community impacts, including environmental, social, cultural and economic factors and opportunities.

1.7 Conduct community consultations.

1.8 Investigate community and industry resources available to implement the plan.

2. Develop tourism plan.

2.1 Create plans that include clear strategic and tactical focus, identifying priorities, responsibilities and timelines.

2.2 Integrate financially sound resource strategies and take advantage of new and emerging technologies.

2.3 Propose administrative framework and systems capable of supporting the plan.

2.4 Consult appropriate colleagues during planning process.

2.5 Develop performance indicators, contingency plans and evaluation methods.

2.6 Submit plans to the appropriate authority for approval prior to implementation.

3. Implement and monitor tourism plans.

3.1 Initiate an internal and external communications strategy.

3.2 Implement and monitor actions according to schedule and contingencies.

3.3 Develop progress and other reports according to organisational requirements.

3.4 Involve community in tourism issues on an ongoing basis.

4. Evaluate tourism plans.

4.1 Assess plan effectiveness using agreed evaluation methods and develop new or alternative approaches as required.

4.2 Submit changes for consideration and approval by the appropriate authority.

4.3 Implement and communicate agreed changes.

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to:

manage consultation with the broad community and key community stakeholders

facilitate information sessions

critical thinking skills to evaluate complex market and business information and develop strategic responses

literacy skills to:

interpret wide ranging information from a variety of potentially unfamiliar sources

develop complex documents that include a strategic and tactical focus

prepare consultation information

numeracy skills to:

research statistical data

estimate financial impacts of different strategies

planning and organising skills to coordinate planning processes that involve multiple stages and inputs

problem-solving skills to work with different community views about tourism.

Required knowledge

key stakeholders in local, regional, state or territory, and national tourism organisations and the structures of these organisations at each level

key stakeholders in the area and their roles in the tourism planning process

environmental, social, cultural and economic aspects of the area that impact planning, including:

current economic status and profile of tourism

community attitudes

features of environmentally or culturally sensitive areas

natural and man-made attractions

main industries, past and present

socio-economic factors

features of the area in relation to other areas, either nearby or with similar profiles

current tourism operators and product base in the area, and opportunities to extend these

distribution and marketing networks currently supporting the tourism product base, and opportunities to extend these

market competitors and the main features of those areas and their tourism strategies

strategic planning methodologies, including key stages and content requirements

community consultation approaches, including features, costs and benefits of:

media strategies, including digital strategies

consultation formats

stakeholder engagement.

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

apply an effective planning process to the development of a local or regional tourism plan

develop strategic responses to complex community and organisational issues

consult and communicate with diverse stakeholders during the planning process

demonstrate knowledge of the issues that impact the planning, development and administration of tourism for a local or regional area, including the distribution and marketing of particular products.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure use of:

a local or regional area for which a plan can be developed

current tourism industry information and data on the area

community stakeholders for participation in consultation.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

evaluation of a project and plan completed by the individual to develop, implement and monitor a tourism plan for a given local or regional area

use of case studies to assess the individual’s ability to evaluate planning priorities for communities with different:

social, cultural and economic structures and issues

tourism product bases, and distribution and marketing networks

written or oral questioning to assess knowledge of distribution networks, strategic and tactical community consultation processes and planning techniques

review of portfolios of evidence and thirdparty workplace reports of onthejob performance by the individual.

Guidance information for assessment

The assessor should design integrated assessment activities to holistically assess this unit with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role, for example:

SITTPPD401 Package tourism products

SITTPPD501 Develop host community awareness of tourism

SITTPPD502 Assess tourism opportunities for local communities

SITXMPR502 Develop and implement marketing strategies.


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Tourism infrastructure may include:

accommodation

attractions

conference facilities

retail

tours

transport

visitor information services.

Product and service gaps may relate to:

assessment of region to meet current and future customer expectations

inability to service current demand

inappropriate operating practices for the current market place

opportunities for new products and services.

Community impacts may include:

benefits:

cultural benefits, including cultural preservation

economic benefits to local community

employment opportunities

greater understanding between host and visitor cultures

improved local facilities

visitor education

costs:

damage to environmentally or culturally sensitive areas

effect on social structures

trivialisation of culture.

Community consultationsmay include:

activities to gain community support for the planning process prior to commencement

community meetings

formal and informal community research

community representation on planning steering committees

publication and display of draft plans for community comment

seminars

social media activities.

Community and industry resourcesmay relate to:

current market position

expertise of those likely to implement the plan

local government resources

local skill profile

local tourist associations or other industry bodies

opportunities for cooperative approaches

opportunities for sponsorship

potential for state or federal assistance

preparedness of individual tourism operators to contribute to the plan.

Resource strategies may be:

financial

human

physical.

Evaluation methodsmay include:

community feedback

industry feedback

marketing exposure achieved

research on business performance:

attendance numbers

enquiry levels

occupancy levels

retail sales

tour sales.


Sectors

Tourism


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.