Article Title
Community Planning: A Perceptual Approach to Tourism Development
Abstract
Tourism development requires professional planning and cooperation between political leaders and the community. Barriers to good tourism planning may be perceptual. Differences in perspectives from individuals and groups involved may impede the planning process. Conflict resolution involves understanding the perceptual issues of those involved in the planning process. The purpose of this study was to develop a perceptual mapping procedure, which could serve as a basis of conflict resolution. The individuals sampled were convention and visitors bureau (CVB) directors in Northwest Ohio in an area known as the Great Black Swamp. Data collection was conducted in three phases which determined similarities and differences among those CVB director interviews. Results formed a perceptual map of the Great Black Swamp as a case study to determine the feasibility of development of an industrial tourism approach using the Northwest Ohio resources.