ABSTRACT
Chapter 9 explains that stakeholder relationships and involvement are becoming a more important role of destination management as DMOs increasingly recognize that they must have the support of tourism sector stakeholders and local residents. Destination stakeholders are defined as any group or individual who can affect or is affected by the achievement of the DMO’s goals and objectives and by the results of the tourism sector in general. The chapter strongly recommends that a DMO prepare an annual stakeholder relationships and involvement plan that details how it proposes to interact with tourism sector stakeholders, locals, government agencies, and others. The stakeholder relationships and involvement plan dedicated to tourism sector stakeholders should encompass nine activities: leading and coordinating, listening, analyzing, involving and engaging, communicating, informing, representing, celebrating and evaluating. The portion of the plan dedicated to local residents should cover at least nine potential activities: analyzing, communicating, educating, involving, listening, lobbying (government), getting support, representing and evaluating. Many DMOs operate membership programs and program components and benefits are detailed. Boards of directors play an extremely crucial role for many DMOs around the world and they are described. The chapter then stresses that the support of local residents is crucial to tourism and destination management success. Government relations and relationships with the environment must be given a high priority in destination management. The connections with tourists, DMO staff, and non-tourism companies and entities are also of great importance and must be built into the stakeholder relationships and involvement plan.
