Introduction

To analyze the formulation of public policy, the most famous methods is the

policy cycle. In this method, specific steps are created for the policy formation that

allows the policymakers to follow the steps in order. Different authors may present

the content of the policy cycle differently, but the implication of these will remain

unchanged. Mainly, the policy cycle containing 5 stages is the most famous type to

apply. This consists of the setting of agenda, its formulation, making a decision, and

evaluation and implementation (May and Wildavsky, 1979). In this research, 2

popular research papers will be compared and critiqued by using the policy cycle.

One research discussion paper is “Queensland Tourism And Transport Strategy” and

the other discussion paper is “Exploring heritage–tourism opportunities in South

Australia”.

Discussion Paper 1

The discussion paper “Queensland Tourism and Transport Strategy” addresses the

importance of transport for the tourism and plans to develop a strategy to enhance the

transport system and delivering the unique experience to the visitors (Queensland

Government, 2018). The purpose is to improve access across Queensland and

developing the tourism industry. With the strategy of developing transport system,

Queensland Government aims to create job opportunities, increase overnight visitor

expenditure and also the number of tourists visiting the region. It further plans to

create the alliance with the government and require industry efforts to invest in the

provision of services and development of infrastructure improving connectivity and

enhancing access. The paper begins with the general information of tourism market

and explains it with regard to the traveling. It further explains the process of strategy

development and the stakeholders involved in the development of the strategy. To

explain the contribution of the tourism market, facts and figures are presented with an

explanation of the transport network in Queensland (Queensland Government, 2018).

The paper also discusses the transport system of different countries for consideration

in the strategy formulation. In the next section, innovation and partnerships are

discussed as guiding principles. In the last section, visitor information, transport

services, ticketing and products and planning and investment are considered as four

main themes of the strategy.

Policy Planning Cycle

 Agenda Setting

Last part of the paper reflects on details of themes and actions developed for

the implementation of the strategy. It gives a detailed table with every theme giving

information on actions, delivery timeframe and the agency carrying out the listed

actions. The timeframe mentioned is not in the form of due dates rather states periods,

that is, short, medium and long terms specifying the number years accounting to the

respective timeframes.

 Policy Formulation

Strategy development is explained at the start of the paper. DestinationQ

helped in identifying the link between the tourism industry and the Queensland

Government. It further lists the main objective and key stakeholders involved in the

development of the policy. The policy formulation process is facilitated through

extensive research and partnerships with different departments.

 Decision Making

Although the policy is developed in collaboration with different private

departments standards for decision making are introduced by Queensland

Government. Regional Transport Plan, State Infrastructure Plan and Queensland

Transport and Roads Investment Program will be used for transport planning,

infrastructure investment and committed investment details respectively.

 Policy Implementation

The policy is formulated through the collaboration of industry and

government. The effective strategy implementation depends on the strengthening and

continuation of these partnerships.

Stakeholders

The discussion paper clearly identifies the stakeholders involved in the

development and implementation of the policy. Following stakeholders are listed in

the paper (Queensland Government, 2018):

 Destination Q working as a partnership between Queensland Government and

tourism sector.

 Department of Innovation,

 Commonwealth Games

 Tourism Industry Development

 Department of Transport and Main Roads

 Industry Reference Group consisting of a representative from the local and

state government and transport and tourism industry

 Monash University setting benchmarks for public transport systems.

Discussion Paper 2

The discussion paper “Exploring heritage–tourism opportunities in South Australia"

discusses the importance of heritage in fostering tourism in South Australia. It

highlights that the relationship between heritage and its contributions to the tourism

industry of the State is undervalued and poorly understood. The economic benefits

that it brings to the State are not clearly addressed and considered in strategy
development (Government of South Australia, 2015). Thus, this paper discusses the

initiatives recommended that promote and package heritage-based tourism

experience. The stakeholders involved in the strategy formulation are the South

Australian Tourism Commission (SATC) and The Department of Environment, Water

and Natural Resources (DEWNR) (Government of South Australia, 2015). It begins

by stating the purpose of the paper and the importance of heritage to the tourism

industry. It further explains heritage in tourism and its importance and economic

benefits. The paper also reflects on the initiatives taken so far for developing the

heritage of the State, that is, through a Vic-Heritage app that gives details of a

heritage place. The principles upon which strategy is developed are market research

and access, promotion and partnership. In the final section, a proposal is presented for

boosting heritage tourism in South Australia recommending alliance of heritage and

tourism, investing in economic and other imperatives and connecting heritage and

nature-based tourism.

Policy Planning Cycle

 Agenda Setting

The actions required for fostering heritage in South Australia are listed at the

end of the paper but no clear justification of time is given. It does not provide any

relevant information on when to carry out the action and when it will be completed

rather it gives general information on the activities.

 Policy Formulation

As identified, the importance and economic benefits of heritage to tourism are

undervalued, thus, discussion paper presents different approaches for fostering

heritage tourism in South Australia such as alliance of heritage and tourism, investing
in economic and other imperatives and connecting heritage and nature-based tourism.

The aim is to gain economic benefits from the heritage tourism.

 Decision Making

The stage of decision-making is not well explained in this discussion paper. It

reflects only on the themes presented for promoting heritage tourism and the

description of the stakeholders involved.

 Policy Implementation

The policy implementation phase is explained in terms of the funding. The

paper lists strategic funding as a key for successful implementation of the strategy. It

states that visitor experience, number of international and domestic visitors and

money and time spent by them can be enhanced by strategically investing in the

projects. Funding will be generated from revolving funds, crowdsourcing, heritage

lottery, and sponsorships.

 Evaluation

The evaluation will be carried out by preparing progress reports annually and making

it publicly available through DITID website. The final evaluation will be conducted in

2020 as the set targets are aimed to achieve by 2020. The full assessment will give

detail of the outcomes of the policy-making recommendations for the delivery of

medium and long-term opportunities.

Stakeholders

There is a clear description of the stakeholders in the paper. It highlights that

the

South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC) and the Department of Environment,

Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) form a partnership and helped the industry
in capitalizing on the competitive and unique nature-based tourism assets of the State

(Government of South Australia, 2015).

Comparison

After analyzing both discussion papers, I was able to highlight some

differences and similarities between the papers. As far as structure is concerned, a

discussion paper on transport was well organized and synchronized. The information

was presented in a suitable order delivering the clear understanding of the facts and

figures. The role of stakeholders, issues under consideration, the importance of

addressing the issue and actions required to carry out the process are clearly discussed

in the paper. The paper not only describes what policy is about but it also shows its

relevant impact on the tourism industry. The strength of the paper is its reference from

the global system giving the clear understanding of what it aims to achieve. In

comparison, the discussion paper on heritage does not address all elements of the

policy-making framework. It lacks agenda, decision making, and evaluation phase.

However, it gives the relevant information required to understand the purpose of the

policy, the process, and the impact. The need recognition is explained well in the

paper. In terms of quality, both papers present a high-quality analysis of the facts and

figures and support the information with relevant industrial data. Information

presented is not vague rather logical and supported by fact.

Reflection

After studying comparative and critical analysis of two of the

discussion papers, now I am able to have an in-depth understanding of the structure of

the discussion paper and also about its objectives and contents. In addition to this, I

also equipped with the information regarding the policy cycle. I also learned that how

each phase of the cycle will be executed but there are still some complexities as to
how to assign some phases in particular parts of the discussion paper. In future, I will

try to follow some of the major benefits in my writing that I have learned from two of

the discussion papers which includes; use of subheadings to represent the various

phases of the policy cycle. An attempt should be made to incorporate almost all of the

phases in an effective and concise manner. But there is still a confusion in my mind

that how someone can bring a good quality discussion paper in the absence of some or

any of the significant phase(s) of the policy cycle. But considering my overall

learning, this evaluation will definitely facilitate me for my next writing although I

still have some queries.

References

Government of South Australia 2015, “Exploring heritage–tourism

May, J. V., & Wildavsky, A. B. (Eds.). (1979). The policy cycle(Vol. 5). SAGE

Publications, Incorporated.

opportunities in South Australia”, State Heritage Unit, Department of Environment,

Water and Natural Resources.

Queensland Government 2018, “Queensland Tourism and Transport Strategy”,

Queensland Government Publications, Available at

https://publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/queensland-tourism-transport-

strategy/resource/20d72300-ab2f-4b73-83c9-581d5eba0b5e