Final answer:
The first step in the tourism planning process should be background analysis, as it provides a comprehensive understanding of the existing environment and potential attractions that can guide subsequent planning stages.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first step in the tourism planning process should be background analysis. This involves gathering data on the current circumstances and potential tourist attractions, such as natural wonders, historic sites, or unique cultural experiences. By understanding what exists and what's lacking, planners can gain insight into what could attract visitors and how to distinguish their destination. This foundational step informs all subsequent planning stages, ensuring goals and strategies are appropriately tailored to the local context.
Historical inquiry follows a similar pattern, beginning with the development of relevant historical questions. This step parallels tourism planning's initial background analysis because it establishes a frame for the information that needs to be collected. In both cases, the first phase sets the stage for the detailing of specific, informed, and achievable strategies and actions in later phases.