Guidelines for Abstract
Asian Tourism
You are to complete a 3 page abstract outlining the major features of one particular
national tourism board. You may select any country you wish- you may want to choose
the country from your list of three choices. However, I am very interested to see you
pick some of the smaller nations as well!
First find out as much as you can about the board on the internet, directories, or
whatever resources you find available. This is not a major research project- although I
do ask that you be diligent to use good sources, read everything with a critical and
inquisitive approach, and be able to evaluate the high points and the distinguishing work
of the national board.
You may write this as narrative (paragraphs) with some use of bullet points for lists (only
occasionally if you feel this are helpful and necessary)- donʼt use this to shorten the
paper 🙂
Lastly, be SURE to list all of the sources (Internet and all other) which you have
consulted- this is very important.
Note that national organizations may follow many different types of names- national
board of tourism, national convention and visitors bureau, national tourism agency, etc.
You may choose the one the you wish- just make sure that it is a significant national
resource organization with substantive activity.
To the best of your ability, try and discern the following:
Is the organization a part of the government? or private sector? or mixture?
Where does funding come from?
How long has the organization been in existence?
How is the leadership selected? Is there an advisory board? A governing board?
How large is the organization- staff? budget?
What are the overseas (international) efforts and presence of this organization?
What is the primary work of this organization? marketing? sales?
Can someone book travel directly through this organization?
Convention activity?
Does there appear to be a current “theme” for marketing the nation? If so, what is it?
What is your impression of this?
How does the organization appear to treat the full range of tourism activity? wide variety
of areas and settings? many locations featured? Ecotourism? Adventure tourism?What sorts of persons are featured in tourism photos and descriptions? Age?
Nationality? What impression do you get of the typical tourist and group from viewing
and reading about them from this organization?
How available does information seem (website or otherwise) for other languages?
Few? Many? What does this tell you about the organization?
Have you ever worked with or used a national tourism board from any country? If so,
which ones? How does the information about your study organization compare?
Are there any surprises in learning about this organization? Anything which you did not
find which you expected to see here?