How do you create an effective national tourism policy that balances stakeholder needs with data-driven insights?
Working with UNDP to develop Sri Lanka's National Tourism Policy through a comprehensive, participatory process combining data analysis with stakeholder engagement.
Key Findings
Voice of the Tourist
Analysis of 400,000+ TripAdvisor reviews revealed crucial insights about visitor perceptions across different regions and sectors.
Stakeholder Alignment
Two-phase questionnaire process helped build consensus around key reforms and implementation approaches.
Data Visualization
Using IRAMUTEQ software to visualize tourist feedback helped stakeholders understand complex patterns in visitor experiences.
The Challenge
Developing a National Tourism Policy for Sri Lanka required balancing multiple complex factors:
- Understanding current tourism landscape and historical context
- Incorporating diverse stakeholder perspectives
- Ensuring policy recommendations were both ambitious and achievable
- Creating clear implementation pathways
- Building consensus around key reforms
Our Approach
We structured the project in three distinct phases, each building on the previous:
Results and Impact
The project delivered several key outcomes:
- Comprehensive Policy Document
- Evidence-based recommendations
- Clear implementation pathways
- Stakeholder-validated reforms
-
Measurable success indicators
-
Stakeholder Buy-in
- Broad consensus on key reforms
- Clear understanding of implementation roles
-
Shared vision for tourism development
-
Implementation Framework
- Detailed action plans
- Specific KPIs and timelines
- Clear responsibility assignments
- Monitoring mechanisms
Key Learnings for Tourism Organizations
Start with Evidence
Beginning with comprehensive data analysis builds credibility and guides stakeholder discussions.
Evolve with Feedback
The Issues Paper approach allowed for continuous refinement based on stakeholder input.
Focus on Implementation
Including detailed KPIs and action plans in policy documents increases likelihood of effective execution.