Destination Management Plan (DMP) glossary

Tourism: The activities of persons travelling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes (UNWTO definition). The term ‘tourist’ may be taken as those persons defined above. There is some inconsistency in whether ‘staying’ is taken as implying overnight stays or includes day visitors.

Visitor economy: All aspects of the economy related directly or indirectly through the supply chain to the provision of services to visitors and benefitting from their spending. The term ‘visitor’ has the same meaning as tourist above, but unequivocally includes people visiting just for a day or less as well as overnight.

Place shaping: The creative use of powers and influence to promote the general well-being of a community and its citizens (Lyons inquiry into local government 2007). It includes components such as understanding local needs, making the local economy more successful, being sensitive to the environment, security and policing, maintaining cohesiveness and shaping destiny.

Place making: A multi-faceted approach to the planning, design and management of public spaces. This can include aspects such as information, interpretation, events, community and business engagement as well as physical appearance and facilities.

Place marketing: The application of marketing and branding strategies and tactics to destinations in order to attract investment and income. This latter may arise from attracting new business, tourists, residential expansion and other development and activity.

Destination marketing: An aspect of place marketing, commonly referring to the promotion of a destination to tourists.

Sustainable tourism: Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities (UNWTO short definition). This is an essential component of effective destination management, integral to success and not an additional facet.

Accessible tourism: Tourism experiences that can be enjoyed by people with physical, sensory and cognitive impairments and others with accessibility requirements.

Visitor management: The physical process of influencing, directing and accommodating the flow of visitors to and within a destination.