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Basic Approaches in
Tourism Planning
Evolution of Tourism Planning
Lecture Outline
1. Introduction
2. Background of Tourism Planning In Malaysia
Tourism planning becomes so important mainly
because of the conventional (traditional) tourism
development are more focused towards its economic
contribution. The development has somehow
resulted to negative impacts:
a. Socio-cultural
b. Economic
c. Environmental.
1. Introduction • Because of all these, tourism planning become
essentials and now frequently it is called “strategic
planning”
• Demands for tourism planning and government
intervention in the development process are
typically a response to the unwanted effects of
tourism development

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• The rapid pace of tourism growth and development,
the nature of tourism itself and the corresponding
absence of single agency responsible for tourism
related development have often meant that public
sector responses to the impacts of tourism on
destinations have been ad hoc, rather than
predetermined strategies oriented toward
development objectives
• Although planning is not a cure to all unwanted
effects, but yet, planning may be able to minimize
potential negative impacts, maximize economic
returns to the destination, and encourage a more
positive response from the host community
2. Background of Tourism Planning in
Malaysia
 The Malaysian planning system is complex and
often overlapping
 Generally, the planning system in Malaysia is
reflected based on the three tiers of
government administrative structure:
a. Federal
b. State
c. Local
 The Federal government is the highest planning
body. National plans include: NEP (New Economic
Policies), OPP (The Outline Perspective Plans), ETP
(Economic Transformation Programme), National
Ecotourism Master Plan, National Tourism Master
Plan, etc.
 The state is the second highest planning body in
Malaysia. The state government’s role is to provide
institutional and administrative support in
implementing the projects and programs. The
main decision body is the state executive
committee (EXCO) and headed by Chief Minister
on development matter.

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 State plan include: Sabah Tourism Master Plan,
2011 to 2025, 2nd Sarawak Tourism Master Plan,
etc.
 At the local level, local people can voice their
opinion through their local representatives who
in turn represented by the district action
committee.
 At state level the proposal from various districts
will be refined by State Economic Planning Unit
then submitted to Implementation Unit of Prime
Minister’s Department and the Treasury
• The approaches used in the planning process
normally involves top down and bottom up, but
predominantly top down approach with the local
people only being consulted and is not directly
involved in the decision making process
End of Lecture
Tutorial Question
1. Why is tourism planning important?