What is sustainable tourism?
Some definitions: “Sustainable tourism development meets the needs of the present tourists and host regions while protecting and enhancing the opportunity for the future.It is envisaged as leading to management of all resources in such a way that economic, social and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled, while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity and life support systems.” _ World Tourism Organization “Tourism, which is developed and maintained in an area in such a manner, and at such a scale, that it remains viable over an indefinite period and does not degrade or alter the environment (human and physical) in which it exists to such a degree that it prohibits the successful development and well-being of other activities and processes.” _ Mr Richard Butler, 1993 See the discussion forum thread entitled “Don’t call tourism names” for a discussion about “good tourism”.
Sustainable tourism is a form of tourism which involves being conscious of the potential economic, environmental, and cultural impacts of tourism. Sustainable tour companies and tourists who support the idea of sustainable tourism make extra efforts to ensure that their impact on the places they visit is positive, rather than simply neutral or negative. Several certification agencies inspect and accredit tour companies which offer sustainable tourism packages, with the goal of creating an industry-wide standard which makes it easier for tourists to select companies to do business with. The concept of sustainable tourism is closely related to ecotourism, a form of tourism which focuses on environmental and ecological issues associated with tourism, but sustainable tourism is wider in scope. While sustainable tours are designed to address environmental issues related to tourism, other considerations such as the impact of tourism on the local economy are also incorporated into the sustain
Sustainable tourism is tourism development that avoids damage to the environment, economy and cultures of the locations where it takes place. The aim of sustainable tourism is to ensure that development is a positive experience for local people; tourism companies; and tourists themselves. Under sustainable tourism, it may be unlikely to experience the kind of ‘boom and bust’ that led to the rapid growth, and then despoliation of locations such as the east coast of Spain in the 1970s. Tim Forsyth Tourists in Thailand taking photographs of locals operating handicraft stalls. Ecotourism became popular in the 1980s as a form of tourism that focused exclusively on wildlife, nature or “exotic” cultures. Some research indicates that such tourism may not in fact benefit these communities–as it might lead to them becoming dependent on the tourist economy, without developing skills that would allow them flexibility in the economy and be more of a long term guarantee.But despite this optimistic
The UN-World Tourism Organization (UN-WTO) has defined sustainable tourism as an enterprise that achieves an effective balance among the environmental, economic, and socio-cultural aspects of tourism development in order to guarantee long-term benefits to recipient communities. According to UN-WTO, it should: Make optimal use of environmental resources that constitute a key element in tourism development, maintaining essential ecological processes and helping to conserve natural heritage and biodiversity. Respect the socio-cultural authenticity of host communities, conserve their built and living cultural heritage and traditional values, and contribute to inter-cultural understanding and tolerance. Ensure viable, long-term economic operations, providing socio-economic benefits to all stakeholders that are fairly distributed, including stable employment and income-earning opportunities and social services to host communities, and contributing to poverty alleviation.
