ABSTRACT
Building the community’s capacity to engage fully in the process will increase the probability of success in designing a mutually beneficial tourism project that the community feels speaks to their needs as well as to the aspirations of the project proponent. Flowing from the discussion on the importance of preplanning considerations is the introduction of the framework for planning. The planning framework identifies the steps involved in the process. Also, the planning framework sets out the parameters by which the process is constrained and unfolds. Essentially, the framework contains the agreed-upon ground rules under which the plan is carried out. Involving local people in the planning process is complicated but necessary to ensure the success of the tourism planning project. And, remember, what constitutes success must be clearly defined by all interested parties at the outset of the project. A great deal of thought must be given to establishing the appropriate framework for citizen involvement.
