Influences on Sport-Tourism Relations in Britain:the Effects of Government Policy

Abstract

Previous work by the authors has identified five factors-ideology (political and professional), government policy, organisational structure, organisational culture, and key staff—that may influence liaison between sport and tourism agencies. Of these five influences government policy is perhaps the most obvious. This paper examines recent government policy in Britain in respect of sport and tourism, focusing particularly on policy formulated under the auspices of the Department of National Heritage since its creation in 1992. A review of regional policy as it stood in 1994 showed some limited piecemeal liaison between sport and tourism agencies. However, using recently collected empirical evidences, this paper argues that whilst the creation of a Department of National Heritage may appear to bring the sport and tourism sectors closer together, many of its policy initiatives have served to make liaison between the two sectors less likely. The paper speculates that future prosperous sport-tourism relationships may be dependent on the willingness of tourism agencies-particularly the non-statutory Regional Tourist Boards—to adopt a more active leading role. Finally, the need for further research into the extent to which structures can influence sport-tourism policy is identified.