This document discusses the political context of international tourism. It explains that diplomatic recognition and reciprocal relations between countries are prerequisites for international tourism. There are different types of diplomatic recognition ranging from de jure to de facto to no recognition. Consulates and embassies help facilitate tourism by issuing visas and passports. Various US government agencies like the Department of State and organizations like the World Tourism Organization also influence international tourism through policies, travel warnings, and agreements.

1. Political Context of
International Tourism
TDM 458
Ara Pachmayer

2. Geopolitics
Geographic and Political factors
influencing a nation or region
Also demography, economics, history

3. Pre-requisites for
international tourism
 Diplomatic recognition, reciprocal relations
 Negotiate agreements on
trade, visas, commerce, transportation, cons
ular rights
 Exchange consular and ambassadorial
officials
 Establish facilities and procedures for issuing
passports and visas

4. Types of Diplomatic
Recognition
de jure - highest level, given to a
government with legal franchise or
mandate from its citizens
de facto - lesser recognition, may be
temporary
No recognition - complete absence of
diplomatic relationship (North Korea)

5. Consulates and Embassies
 In the US this falls under the Department of
State (DOS)
 US has embassies in major capitals of the
world
 Consulates are representative offices in
smaller or secondary cities - Mexican
Embassy in DC but Mexican Consulate in
Phoenix

6. Role of US Consular Offices
 Protect US citizens abroad
 Provide services for distressed US citizens
abroad
 Promote US interests abroad
 Report accidents involving US civil aircraft
abroad
 Report disasters involving US vessels
 Aircrafts
 Ships

7. Role of US Consular Offices
cont.
 Provide documentation for non-immigrants
(tourists) visiting the US on a temporary
basis - issuing visas for visitors who need
them
 Work with other federal agencies such as
DHS, DOT, DOA, FBI, INTERPOL, CIA, CDC,
et.

8. Visa Agreements
 US visa policy is mostly an extension of its
immigration policy
 Visa Agreements are negotiations between countries
 For example - Visa Waiver programs
Established to promote inbound tourism to the
US in 1988 between US, UK and Japan
Travel for 90 days or less for business or
pleasure without a visa but with a valid
passport
Expanded to 22 countries in 1993
More than 30 million had used the program by
1995

9. Warning: Influence of Non-tourism
Policies/rules
 Customs and immigration policy – can facilitate or
hinder international visitation
 Currency / exchange rate policies – directly affects
destination cost competitiveness
 Foreign investment policy – can affect availability of
investment capital
 Taxation – affects costs and thus profitability
 Environmental policy – limits growth and access to
attractive but sensitive areas
 Local zoning policy – can restrict or encourage specific
types of tourism facility development

11. US Foreign Policy
Current Travel Warnings
http://travel.state.gov/

12. Mexico after DOS travel
warning
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kO
TgtbDfnfQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzp
sGaSxFNU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo
NbCP3I3oI

13. CIA World Factbook
https://www.cia.gov/library/publicati
ons/the-world-factbook/
provides information on the history,
people, government, economy,
geography, communications,
transportation, military, and transnational
issues for 267 international locales
Information

14. Centers for Disease Control
Traveler’s Health
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/
Health Information of over 200
international destinations
Can impact tourism arrivals to a
destination

15. World Tourism Organization
(WTO) www.world-tourism.org
 Most widely recognized organization in tourism
 Established: 1925
 Goals:
 Working to support the UN Millennium Development
Goals
 Serves as a global forum
 Transfers tourism know-how
 Produces statistics and market research
 Developed tourism human resources
 Works to facilitate travel- pp, visa.
 Promotes sustainability (Culture, Environment)
 Regional offices-liaison with the government
 Special Projects
 Members:
145 countries, seven territories and >350 Affiliate Members
representing local government, tourism associations,
educational institutions, private sector companies,
including airlines, hotel groups and tour operators.

16. Tourism and the Millennium
Development Goals
 End Poverty and Hunger *
 Universal Education
 Gender Equality *
 Child Health
 Maternal Health
 Combat HIV/AIDS
 Environmental Sustainability *
 Global Partnership *