What direction will give this move to tourism development?

Transferring the governance of tourism from the Ministry of Economy to the Ministry of Culture can reflect a strategic shift in how the government views and manages tourism. Reasons behind are different holding political and strategic explanations. What will definitely happen is resource allocation. It may lead to better allocation of resources to preserve cultural sites and improve infrastructure around these sites, enhancing the tourist experience.

Gladly, we may see

Cultural preservation as greater emphasis on cultural aspects can lead to improved preservation efforts for historical and cultural sites, which are significant tourist attractions.This will improve enhanced cultural preservation.
Diversified tourism offerings that can lead to a broader range of tourism products, including cultural festivals, arts and crafts, heritage tours, and local cuisine, attracting a more diverse group of tourists.
Better local community engagement vividly promotes local crafts, traditions, and ways of life, which can lead to better community engagement and economic benefits for local populations.
Integrated marketing strategies that can be more integrated, highlighting the cultural richness of a destination alongside other attractions, potentially increasing tourist numbers.

Balanced economic development that is promoting areas that might not benefit from other forms of tourism.
Enhanced visitor experience from tourists who often seek authentic experiences. A cultural ministry might be better positioned to create authentic and enriching visitor experiences.
Cultural diplomacy that promotes the country’s culture internationally and fosters better international relations.
Innovation in cultural tourism introducing new attractions, cultural routes, and heritage conservation projects that could attract tourists.

Antique Theater Ohrid, open sourced photo

Where to watch for pitfalls

The Ministry of Economy might focus on tourism’s direct economic impact, such as GDP contribution and job creation. Transitioning to a cultural focus could initially shift away from these economic metrics.Effective coordination between different ministries (Economy, Culture, Infrastructure) is crucial to ensure that tourism strategies are comprehensive and all-encompassing.Ensuring adequate funding for both economic and cultural tourism initiatives could be challenging, requiring balanced budget allocations and possibly new funding models.

Macedonian filigree, photo source ExploringMacedonia.com

Who knows how to do this and why?

By shifting the governance of tourism to the Ministry of Culture, a government can better leverage its cultural assets to promote tourism, potentially leading to a more sustainable and enriching tourism sector. Several countries have moved the governance of tourism from their economic or trade ministries to their cultural ministries or similar entities. Here are a few examples.

In France, tourism is closely linked with the Ministry of Culture. The country often promotes its rich cultural heritage, including its art, cuisine, historical sites, and cultural events, as a central aspect of its tourism strategy. Italy, known for its vast cultural heritage, has historically managed tourism through the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism. This integration underscores the importance of Italy’s cultural sites and heritage in its tourism offerings. Greece places a strong emphasis on its cultural heritage in its tourism strategy.

Louvre, open sourced photo

The Ministry of Culture and Sports has significant input in tourism policies, promoting the country’s ancient ruins, museums, and cultural festivals.Spain’s tourism governance has been influenced by its cultural ministry. The Ministry of Culture and Sports plays a crucial role in promoting Spain’s rich cultural traditions, historical landmarks, and cultural festivals as key tourist attractions. Turkey has a combined Ministry of Culture and Tourism, highlighting the significant role of cultural heritage in its tourism industry. This structure helps in the promotion and preservation of Turkey’s diverse cultural sites and practices. India has a Ministry of Tourism and a Ministry of Culture that often work closely together. This collaboration is crucial for promoting India’s diverse cultural heritage, festivals, and historical sites as central components of its tourism appeal. In Japan, the Agency for Cultural Affairs works alongside the Japan Tourism Agency (part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism) to promote cultural tourism. There’s a strong focus on preserving and promoting cultural sites, traditions, and festivals.

Elena Ivanova , visiting the Orsay museum. June, 2024

These countries illustrate how integrating tourism with cultural governance can enhance the promotion of cultural heritage, create more holistic tourism experiences, and ensure the preservation of cultural assets while driving tourism development.

Where will all the Nature Based Tourism fit now?

For effective nature conservation and the promotion of outdoor tourism, integrating the governance of these areas with relevant ministries or agencies dedicated to environmental protection and natural resources can be beneficial.

Institutions that may accommodate the outdoor tourism or nature based tourism in North Macedonia are:

Agency for promotion of tourism
Agency for youth and (outdoor) sport
Ministry of environment

Ways to integrate this are through :

1. Inter-Ministerial Collaboration

Ensure strong collaboration between existing ministries such as Environment, Tourism, and Forestry to develop cohesive policies.

2. Developing Sustainable Tourism Policies

Sustainable Tourism Guidelines: Develop and implement guidelines for sustainable tourism practices that minimize environmental impact. These could include regulations on waste management, resource use, and visitor behavior.
Carrying Capacity Assessments: Regularly assess and manage the carrying capacity of natural sites to prevent over-tourism and degradation of natural resources.

3. Legalization under Eco Tourism

Introduce certification programs for eco-friendly tourism operators and accommodations. This can help promote practices that are environmentally sustainable and attract environmentally conscious travelers.

4. Collaboration and Partnerships

Public-Private Partnerships: Foster partnerships between government agencies, private sector, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to support conservation and sustainable tourism initiatives. The “outdoor infrastructure” engages land in nature, usually governed by the State or the Municipality. Both need to regulate usage and make it beneficial to adventure tourists.
International Cooperation: Collaborates with international organizations and other countries to share best practices, funding, and expertise in nature conservation and outdoor tourism.

Norway – Example Country with Successful Model for developing adventure tourism

Recently I had a chance to visit and enjoy the spectacular aspects of NBT in Norway.

Norway promotes nature-based tourism that includes activities such as hiking, fishing, and wildlife watching, all managed under strict environmental regulations.

Protected Areas and National Parks – A significant portion of Norway’s land is protected, ensuring that tourism activities do not harm the environment.

By adopting these strategies and learning from successful models, countries can effectively promote nature conservation and outdoor tourism, ensuring that tourism development is sustainable and benefits both the environment and local communities.

Open sourced photo, Trolltunga Norway

What may go wrong when shifting adventure tourism nowhere precisely

Shifting the governance of tourism to the Ministry of Culture can have several potential negative effects, which can vary depending on how the transition is managed and the specific context of the country. Here are some possible drawbacks:

The Ministry of Culture might prioritize cultural preservation over economic growth, potentially leading to less emphasis on maximizing tourism revenue and job creation.
There might be a shift in investment priorities away from large-scale tourism infrastructure projects that could generate significant economic benefits.
Balancing the budget between cultural preservation and tourism promotion might become challenging, leading to potential underfunding of one or both areas.
Effective tourism management often requires coordination between various ministries (e.g., economy, environment, infrastructure). Shifting tourism to the Ministry of Culture might complicate this coordination.
Aligning tourism policies with broader economic and infrastructural policies might become more difficult, leading to potential conflicts or inconsistencies.
The transition period might involve significant adjustments and disruptions as the new ministry adapts to its expanded role, potentially leading to temporary inefficiencies or lapses in tourism management.
The Ministry of Culture may face a steep learning curve in understanding and managing the economic aspects of tourism, which could affect policy effectiveness in the short term.

Mitigation Strategies

To mitigate these potential negative effects, the following strategies could be implemented. We need to:

Develop a detailed transition plan that outlines clear roles, responsibilities, and timelines to ensure a smooth shift.
Engage tourism industry stakeholders, local communities, and other relevant parties early in the process to gain their support and input.
Invest in training and capacity building for the Ministry of Culture staff to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge for managing tourism.
Establish inter-ministerial committees or working groups to ensure continued coordination between the Ministry of Culture and other relevant ministries.
Ensure that the tourism strategy includes a balanced approach that promotes cultural tourism while also supporting other tourism segments and economic goals.

By carefully managing the transition and addressing potential challenges proactively, the negative effects of shifting the governance of tourism to the Ministry of Culture can be minimized, allowing the country to leverage its cultural assets effectively while still achieving economic benefits from tourism.