Role of Tourism Policies on The Sustainable Development of Tourism and Hospitality Industry: A Review

Abstract

The tourism and hospitality industry is one of the largest industries in the world generating a range of economic benefits although it is undergoing a number of challenges. This brings in the importance of sustainability in this industry, which has however remained as a complex challenge to the industry players. Despite this, there is less research effort that has looked at the tourism and hospitality policies at the global level and relate this to the Kenya tourism and hospitality policy and how it contributes towards sustainable tourism. For this paper review, the scooping review methodology was used to describe the tourism policies and sustainable tourism. Scoping review is an established method for evidence synthesis.  This review sets out to provide a strategic view of the study of policy in tourism. The review has highlighted the importance of tourism policy in fostering sustainable tourism. The review highlights that the tourism and hospitality policy define a decision-making process where every country has its unique set of policies with different sets of objectives from where governance can be realised. The study also established several tourism policies adopted for development and sustainability in the industry which included purchasing policies, natural capital policy and Environmental conservation policies. Each of these policies have inherent weaknesses which occur due to climate change, costs of energy, risk factors that affect business performance, visitor arrivals, and the management of tourism resources. Kenyan tourism policy on sustainable tourism and hospitality guides the tourism and hospitality sector in Kenya. Other policy and legal instruments that have a bearing on tourism are The National Wildlife Conservation and Management Policy, Wildlife Conservation and Management Act 2013, Environmental Management and Conservation Act (EMCA) 1999, Climate Change Act 2016 and Public Private Partnership Act 2013. There are a number of provisions that allow the policy to enhance sustainable tourism in Kenya. Even though the existing policies play as significant role trying to ensure sustainability in the industry, policy integration and constant revision remains a priority.