Introduction
Destination partnerships that bring all the stakeholders together, such as community leaders, the police, local government, guides, the tourism industry and poor producers can encourage joint action to tackle a range of issues. Building local groups can help your destination become a better place for tourists to visit and a better place for people to live. Although each person or company in the tourism industry can make a difference, so much more can be achieved if the community works together.

Often neighbourhood (or destination) partnership address civic or community areas, such as parks, market places, waterfronts etc, but they can also tackle societal issues, such as education, health and crime.

The Opportunity
Rarely can one organisation or group change the way a destination functions alone; it requires action by the formal and informal sectors working together and with the full support of government. Effective local partnerships between government, hoteliers and local people can bring a wide range of benefits to various sections of the community. These include:

• A sense of place and a sense of community
• Reduce the negative impacts of tourism, such as litter, waste or sex tourism
• Safer place for tourists to spend time
• More attractive place for tourists to visit
• Safer and more attractive place for local to spend time
• Reduce hassle of tourists and thus greatly improve tourist enjoyment.

Who Can Help and How?

Hotels & Resorts

Guest Houses, Small Hotels & B&Bs

Restaurants, Cafes & Bars

Retail: Shops & Markets

Cultural Heritage Sites

Protected Areas

Other Visitor Attractions

Local Guides

Local Operators & Ground Handlers

Outbound Operators

Words of Caution

• Do not promise more than you can deliver and manage expectations. Partnership can fall apart when expectations are very high and delivery is very slow.
• The community needs exposure to what makes tourism work (or not work). And they need tangible benefits from making their area welcoming for tourists. Words of wisdom from others are insufficient incentive.