Tourist Transport Management
Improving Leisure Travel Choices
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Victoria Transport Policy
Institute
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Updated
26 July 2008
This chapter describes how to manage tourist travel for efficiency, by improving recreational travel options and reducing automobile traffic in resort areas.
Tourist Transport Management (also called Resort Community Transport Management) involves improving transportation options for recreational travel and reducing automobile traffic in resort areas. Tourist travel has predictable patterns and needs, and often occurs in areas that have unique environmental and social features that are particularly sensitive to degradation by excessive automobile traffic. Tourist Transport Management can preserve the amenities that attract visitors to an area, whether it is an historic city center or a pristine natural environment.
Tourist Transport Management programs can include a variety of specific strategies to improve transport options, integrate alternative transportation into tourist activities, provide disincentives to drive, and promote alternative modes. These can include:
· Cycling
and Walking Improvements
· Traffic
Calming, Speed Reductions and Streetscape
Improvements.
· Smart
Growth, New Urbanism and Access
Management
· Car-Free
Planning and Vehicle
Restrictions.
· Marketing
to encourage visitors to arrive without a car.
· Commute
Trip Reduction programs for staff.
· Freight
Management to minimize truck traffic.
· Aviation
Transport Management
· Transportation
Access Guides, which provide concise directions to reach destinations by
alternative modes.
· Equipment Rentals (Bikes,
Scooters, Skies, etc.).
Traffic to resort areas often peaks at particular seasons and times of the week. Visitors have particular mobility needs (e.g., travel between transport terminals, accommodations, restaurants and shops, tourists attractions, etc.) and baggage requirements (skis, surf boards, gifts to carry home). Tourist Transport Management must take these travel patterns and needs into account.
Many resort visitors will use alternative modes if they are convenient, enjoyable and Affordable. Tourist TDM programs can involve developing car-free travel options and packages. This requires coordination to insure that visitors’ mobility needs are served, and that such travel options are well Marketed. When planning a trip, potential visitors must be assured that they can arrive at their accommodations, access local activities and attractions, and carry any baggage they need, reliably and in comfort without a car.
Tourist Transport Management programs are usually implemented by regional planning agencies, a parks agency, a TDM Program, a Transportation Management Association, tourist marketing organizations, tourist-related businesses (such as a large hotel), or by organizers of a Special Event (such as a major festival). These TDM programs are often initiated to deal with specific problems (such as inadequate parking or traffic congestion during peak periods), but may expand over time with more Comprehensive Transport Planning to deal with a broader range of problems and objectives. Parks agencies can establish transit services (Cambridge Systematics, 2001), bicycle rentals and guided tours, or help private companies provide suitable services. In more isolated areas it may be implemented as part of an overall Rural Community TDM program.
Tourist Transport Management may involve policies that Restrict Automobile Travel or favor alternative modes. For example, some cities, towns and parks prohibit or limit the number of private automobiles allowed in certain areas or at certain times, and provide visitor access by shuttle services, bicycle rentals and pedestrian facility improvements. Visitor organizations or private companies may organize and publicize new car-free tour options and packages.
Travel impacts depend on the nature of the TDM strategies that are implemented, the types of trips, location, and demographics of visitors. Large travel impacts are possible. Some resorts and destination parks have virtually eliminated private vehicle traffic.
Table 1 Travel Impact Summary
|
Travel
Impact |
Rating |
Comments |
|
Reduces total traffic. |
2 |
Reduces total travel. |
|
Reduces peak period
traffic. |
3 |
Reduces traffic during peak
seasons and times. |
|
Shifts peak to off-peak
periods. |
0 |
|
|
Shifts automobile travel to
alternative modes. |
3 |
Encourages mode shifting. |
|
Improves access, reduces
the need for travel. |
0 |
|
|
Increased ridesharing. |
1 |
May include rideshare
encouragement. |
|
Increased public transit. |
3 |
Often includes transit
improvements. |
|
Increased cycling. |
3 |
Often includes cycling
improvements. |
|
Increased walking. |
3 |
Often includes pedestrian
improvements. |
|
Increased Telework. |
0 |
|
|
Reduced freight traffic. |
1 |
May include some freight
management. |
Rating from 3 (very beneficial)
to –3 (very harmful). A 0 indicates no impact or mixed impacts.
Benefits include reduced Traffic Congestion and Parking problems, road and parking facility cost savings (particularly if road and parking facilities would otherwise be expanded to accommodate a short period of peak demand), improved community Livability and support for strategic Land Use objectives, such as preservation of environmental and cultural resources (greenspace and views, clean air, quiet, traditional customs, etc.), increased Transportation Choice (particularly for non-drivers), improved Walking and Cycling conditions, increased Road Safety, reduced impacts of tourist travel on residents, and a more enjoyable and unique experience for visitors.
Costs are primarily the financial expenses associated with developing a TDM program and providing services such as shuttle buses. Some potential visitors may be discouraged if restrictions on car use are considered burdensome or confusing.
Table 2 Benefit Summary
|
Objective |
Rating |
Comments |
|
Congestion Reduction |
3 |
Reduces peak-period vehicle
traffic. |
|
Road & Parking Savings |
2 |
Reduces vehicle travel and
trips. |
|
Consumer Savings |
2 |
Can increase affordable
transport options. |
|
Transport Choice |
3 |
Increases transport choice
for non-drivers. |
|
Road Safety |
2 |
Reduces vehicle traffic
volumes and speeds. |
|
Environmental Protection |
3 |
Reduces vehicle traffic and
pavement requirements. |
|
Efficient Land Use |
2 |
Reduces road and parking
requirements. |
|
Community Livability |
3 |
Reduces traffic impacts,
preserves unique community amenities. |
Rating from 3 (very beneficial) to –3 (very harmful). A 0 indicates no impact or mixed impacts.
Most Tourist Transport Management programs provide services that are available to the general public and benefit a variety groups. Some involve restrictions that are particularly burdensome on certain groups (for example, restrictions on using private automobiles may limit access by people with physical disabilities who have trouble walking). Some programs involve special benefits or subsidies to a particular group or travel mode (for example, funding for transit services and shuttle buses), but not necessarily greater subsidies than the full Costs of accommodating additional automobile traffic through increased road and parking capacity. Such programs often increase the range of affordable travel options, which tends to benefit lower-income and transportation disadvantaged people, and helps provide Basic Mobility.
Table 3 Equity Summary
|
Criteria |
Rating |
Comments |
|
Treats everybody equally. |
2 |
Generally benefits all
groups. |
|
Individuals bear the costs
they impose. |
0 |
Usually requires subsidies,
but these are often equal or less than subsidies to accommodate more vehicle
traffic. |
|
Progressive with respect to
income. |
2 |
Usually improves affordable
transport options. |
|
Benefits transportation
disadvantaged. |
3 |
Increases transport options
for non-drivers. |
|
Improves basic mobility. |
2 |
Usually improves basic
transport. |
Rating from 3 (very
beneficial) to –3 (very harmful). A 0 indicates no impact or mixed impacts.
This strategy is most appropriate for implementation in resort communities, which includes any region, city, town and rural area that attracts large numbers of visitors. Implementation is often managed by regional or local government, parks agencies or business associations.
Table 4 Application Summary
|
Geographic |
Rating |
Organization |
Rating |
|
Large urban region. |
2 |
Federal government. |
1 |
|
High-density, urban. |
2 |
State/provincial
government. |
2 |
|
Medium-density,
urban/suburban. |
2 |
Regional government. |
3 |
|
Town. |
2 |
Municipal/local government. |
3 |
|
Low-density, rural. |
2 |
Business Associations/TMA. |
3 |
|
Commercial center. |
2 |
Individual business. |
3 |
|
Residential neighborhood. |
2 |
Developer. |
2 |
|
Resort/recreation area. |
3 |
Neighborhood association. |
2 |
|
|
|
Campus. |
2 |
Ratings range from 0 (not
appropriate) to 3 (very appropriate).
TDM Program
Tourism trip management can include a variety of specific TDM strategies, including Transit Improvements, Cycling and Walking Improvements, TDM Marketing, Transportation Access Guides and Commute Trip Reduction programs for employees. Parking Management, Parking Pricing and Traffic Calming are often important components of resort community TDM. It can also include Smart Growth, New Urbanism, Context Sensitive Design and Access Management strategies to better integrate transportation and land use planning. Many resort areas implement various types of Car-Free Planning, Vehicle Restrictions and Freight Management. This strategy overlaps Special Event Trip Management.
Stakeholders can include tourism businesses and communities, various government agencies, travel services, visitors, and employees.
Program funding is often a major barrier. Some businesses and community members may oppose policies that restrict automobile use on the grounds that they discourage visitors.
Tourist TDM planning should:
· Make it affordable,
convenient and enjoyable to visit a resort community without using a private
automobile.
· Coordinate stakeholders
(tourist agencies, transportation providers, hotels, resorts) to provide and
promote car-free travel packages.
· Provide detailed information
on the travel choices that are available and how to use them.
· Take into account visitors’
transport needs and preferences, including baggage requirements and the need to
accommodate changing schedules.
· Provide benefits to visitors
who arrive without a car, such as priority access for buses.
· Include Commute Trip
Reduction programs to reduce employee trips.
· Create functional and
attractive pedestrian and cycling facilities.
|
Three
friends take a sailing trip together through the tropical After
a few weeks an ancient bottle washes up on the beach. When they open it, a
genie comes out. “You must give us each three wishes for freeing you,” one of
the friends says. The genie scowls at this demand and replies, “I’ll give you
each ONE wish, and that’s it.” The
first friend doesn’t hesitate a second. “I wish to be returned home,” he
says. Poof – he disappears. The
second friend thinks for a few seconds, then smiles and says, “I wish to be
returned home with my pockets full of gold coins and jewels.” Poof – he
disappears. The
third friend ponders for a minutes, then says, “I really enjoy this lovely
island. I’d like to stay here, but I sure will be lonely. I wish that my two
friends were back here with me.” |
The
City of
Building on an EU pilot project, “Sustainable Mobility in
Tourist Destinations” which took place between January 1996 and July 1997,
several European Ministries supported the creation of a Europe-wide Network for
Sustainable Mobility in Tourism - NETS. NETS was founded in 1998 by the
following groups, working on a more sustainable mobility in the
·
Association for Sustainable Mobility,
· G.A.S.T. - Association of Car Free Tourist Destinations
·
IAKF - Association for Car Free Tourist &
Spa Destinations in
NETS members/partners are from European countries, among
them,
The overall objective of NETS is to improve the quality of vacations and the
environment as well as to raise the standard of living for both guests and locals.
NETS partners develop and promote environmentally sound and sustainable tourism
packages of high quality and improve their competitiveness in the tourism
market. NETS supports members with the following services and activities:
information and "how to" exchanges; lobbying and promotion of
environmentally friendly mobility in tourism; development and consultation
services; marketing services and PR; organization of workshops and seminars.
The
project was initiated by the Ministry for the Environment and is carried out
together with two other Ministries, the Ministry for Transport and Science and
the Ministry for Economic Affairs, as well as two model communities and the
The
five-year project started in 1998. It has an advisory board consisting of all
project partners, which has the task of coordination and financing. Local
coordinators supervise the implementation of the measures in the communities.
Public-private-partnerships are established in the field of transport services,
electric vehicle manufacturers, logistic and telematic enterprises, energy
industry as well as tourism organisations and travel agencies. The
implementation of all measures of the model project will afford financing funds
of about 8 million ECU.
Bad Hofgastein has 6,000 inhabitants and is situated
850 m above sea level in the spacious Gastein valley, which is surrounded by
mountains up to 3,000 m high. With about 8,000 beds and 1 million overnight
stays per year, Bad Hofgastein is among the ten most tourism-intensive
communities in
Traffic management has been implemented in the
residential and hotel area around the pedestrian zone. This helps to avoid
through-traffic in those areas. Each point in Bad Hofgastein now can be reached
only from one of the three entrances to the city. The number of parking spaces
in the streets is very low, since parking is provided at the edge of the city
and in an underground car park. Two free bus lines serve the city center. In
winter, ski-buses connect the city with the stations of the ski lifts.
Werfenweng is situated about 45 km south of the city
of
The following measures are implemented as part of
the project:
· The establishment of a
mobility management centre is a cornerstone of the project. It will promote
integration between various means of transport, and travel information, and
provide transport services including demand-oriented dial-a-bus-systems,
booking and coordination for the car-sharing programme, and rental of bicycles
and sports equipment.
· Streets will be redesigned
to be more pedestrian- and cycle-friendly. This will allow visitors and
inhabitants to walk unimpeded everywhere in the communities. Pedestrians are
given priority to cyclists and motorized vehicles. The speed of motorized
traffic will be adjusted to that of pedestrians. Cycling will be an important
means of travel for visitors and inhabitants. It will be possible to rent
bicycles e.g. from hotels or at public service points like the tourist
information or the railway station. Public transport services will also
transport bicycles. A network of cycling routes is prepared and information
material on it will be provided.
· Information packages on
car-free travel, and attractive car-free travel services will be provided. To
relieve the visitors from their heavy load, a concept of door-to-door luggage
logistics is implemented. Sports equipment will be offered for rent.
· Regional public transport is
being improved, including railway, buses, taxis, lifts and the
electric-car-rental. Information about regional car-free mobility will be
provided, including an information map and suggestions for excursions using
public transport.
· To allow environmentally
sound freight delivery, a freight logistic concept is elaborated and a freight
delivery center will be built on the edge of Bad Hofgastein.
· Conventional cars will be
replaced by zero-emission-vehicles as far as possible. The aim is to finance
the additional costs (compared to the costs of conventional vehicles) of 100
zero-emission-vehicles. It is also planned to replace the two now
diesel-powered city buses in Bad Hofgastein by electric buses.
· An integrated travel
information and booking system will be created. Upon entering a home address
and an address for the desired destination, a user of the travel information
system will be able to retrieve information about all options for car-free
travel to the desired holiday destination. The travel information system may also
serve as a regional information system, and can be used to inform visitors
about the best transport for excursions or about the availability of
car-sharing. This travel information system will be simple and easy to use.
· The number of parking spaces
in the streets will be reduced.
· A new quality product
”car-free tourism”, including “all-inclusive-packages” with transfer to and
from train stations and door-to-door luggage services will be developed.