Developing a research base for the planning of tourism in the regions of Scotland

This study examines the nature and methodology of basic research required for the development of strategic plans for tourism in the regions of Scotland. The first part of the study forms a broad introduction. The components of basic tourism research are defined and placed within the overall context of the tourism planning and development process. Since the nature of research required is in part dependent on the objectives of the organisations involved in the planning process, a brief appraisal of those organisations, their functions and aims is undertaken. The final part of the introduction is a review of the methodology of the most important previous research studies falling within the scope of this work, as a basis for identifying methods which might be satisfactory within the Scottish context. In the second part of the study, a methodology is developed and tested for one particular aspect of tourism research, - the survey and analysis of existing patterns of demand. A full scale survey was mounted for the Highlands and Islands region, adopting the cordon survey method, which had been used very little in tourism research prior to the start of this study. The method and justification for it are explained and evaluated critically. The conclusion drawn is that, with modifications, the method can have outstanding advantages and should be adopted for planning research of this type wherever resources permit. Consideration is then given to the analysis of such data, which, it is suggested, should have two principal purposes - to obtain a picture of the balance between supply and demand for-tourism resources and for basic community infrastructure used by tourists; and to obtain an understanding of the factors which caused the patterns of demand, as a basis for forecasting the way in which the future-changes may occur. Analysis to achieve these two ends is illustrated by use of the data obtained relating to tourism in the Highlands and Islands. In demonstrating an assessment of the balance between supply and demand for daytime activities, three particular aspects are examined: visiting places of interest, golf, and touring by car. To obtain an understanding of the factors underlying the patterns of tourism, extensive analysis of the relationships between variables is undertaken. Finally, on the basis of the research reviewed and the work undertaken relating to the Highlands and Islands, proposals are put forward regarding the nature and methodology of future programmes of tourism research for planning at a regional level. Each of the aspects of research, as defined in the introduction, is considered in turn, with proposals being illustrated where appropriate by reference to studies currently being carried out in Scotland. Guidance is given as to the way in which the outputs from each individual piece of research must link together to provide inputs required for strategy generation.This study examines the nature and methodology of basic research required for the development of strategic plans for tourism in the regions of Scotland. The first part of the study forms a broad introduction. The components of basic tourism research are defined and placed within the overall context of the tourism planning and development process. Since the nature of research required is in part dependent on the objectives of the organisations involved in the planning process, a brief appraisal of those organisations, their functions and aims is undertaken. The final part of the introduction is a review of the methodology of the most important previous research studies falling within the scope of this work, as a basis for identifying methods which might be satisfactory within the Scottish context. In the second part of the study, a methodology is developed and tested for one particular aspect of tourism research, - the survey and analysis of existing patterns of demand. A full scale survey was mounted for the Highlands and Islands region, adopting the cordon survey method, which had been used very little in tourism research prior to the start of this study. The method and justification for it are explained and evaluated critically. The conclusion drawn is that, with modifications, the method can have outstanding advantages and should be adopted for planning research of this type wherever resources permit. Consideration is then given to the analysis of such data, which, it is suggested, should have two principal purposes - to obtain a picture of the balance between supply and demand for-tourism resources and for basic community infrastructure used by tourists; and to obtain an understanding of the factors which caused the patterns of demand, as a basis for forecasting the way in which the future-changes may occur. Analysis to achieve these two ends is illustrated by use of the data obtained relating to tourism in the Highlands and Islands. In demonstrating an assessment of the balance between supply and demand for daytime activities, three particular aspects are examined: visiting places of interest, golf, and touring by car. To obtain an understanding of the factors underlying the patterns of tourism, extensive analysis of the relationships between variables is undertaken. Finally, on the basis of the research reviewed and the work undertaken relating to the Highlands and Islands, proposals are put forward regarding the nature and methodology of future programmes of tourism research for planning at a regional level. Each of the aspects of research, as defined in the introduction, is considered in turn, with proposals being illustrated where appropriate by reference to studies currently being carried out in Scotland. Guidance is given as to the way in which the outputs from each individual piece of research must link together to provide inputs required for strategy generation