Public policy engagement with British tourism: The national, local and the European Union

Abstract

The changing nature of tourism policy is examined through a review of the UK, and of national government policy, urban tourism and rural tourism. Supranational tourism policy influences, namely of the European Union, on tourism are also examined. The effects of other policy spheres on tourism strategy are considered, as is the diversity and complexity of tourism policy. One of the major conclusions of the paper is the uneven development of tourism policy in the UK, and against this background it seeks to identify future policy issues and a research agenda for tourism geography.