An Email-Based Delphi Approach to Tourism Program Evaluation: Involving Stakeholders in Research Design

A panel of key stakeholders was consulted in the design of a survey being used for evaluating the Tapestry Tourism Futures Project – a systems-based modelling project in the south-west of Western Australia. The email-based Delphi consultation approach that was adopted was seen as a means of increasing the relevance of the outcomes to stakeholders. It is argued that this approach resulted in the participation of a diverse range of stakeholders in a time- and cost-efficient manner. However, some limitations of the method in terms of the provision of adequate feedback and direction are noted. It is concluded that through close liaison between the panel coordinator and advisory panel participants, an email-based Delphi process constitutes a highly effective consultation method for involving stakeholders in tourism research design.