What role does a national tourist office (NTO) play?

A national tourist office (NTO) is primarily responsible for promoting tourism at both domestic and international levels. This involves various activities such as marketing campaigns, developing promotional materials, and providing information to travelers about attractions, accommodations, and cultural events. By raising awareness of a destination's offerings, the NTO aims to increase visitor numbers, enhance the travel experience, and support the overall tourism industry.

The other options, while related to aspects of tourism, do not encapsulate the primary mission of an NTO. Inspecting hotels for quality assurance is typically the function of regulatory bodies or local tourism authorities. Stimulating interest in local cuisine, though important for cultural tourism, is just one of many areas the NTO can focus on rather than its main objective. Managing national parks and reserves falls under environmental or governmental organizations, which have a specific mandate separate from the broader tourism promotion efforts of a national tourist office.