Tourism and sustainability

The concept of sustainable tourism has grown out of the concept of

sustainable development (SD) whose most popular definition has arisen
from the World Commission on Environment and Development.
Their 1986 report (Our Common Future) defined SD as: development
that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs.
Sustainability is a requirement of our generation to manage the
resources base such that the average quality of life that we ensure ourselves
can potentially be shared by all future generations.
Sustainable tourism is the tourism that combines high standards of
quality with environmental constrains, tourists and local residents in a
friendly and stimulating manner which would prove to be a better way to
conduct tourism all over the world. In other worlds, it is self-maintaining
tourism solving without harm to its surrounding.
In tourism, sustainability means
Achieving quality growth in a manner that does not deplete the natural
and built-in environment and preserves the culture, history and
heritage of local community.
Achieving balance between number of visitors and the capacity of the
given environment
Greatest interaction and enjoyment with the least destruction.
Sustainability it needed
Preserve resources which attract tourists
Satisfy needs of local community
Have long term economic benefits without affecting environment/
social elements
The concept of sustainability:
1. The idea of holistic planning, cross-sectorial planning and strategy
making.
2. The importance of preserving essential ecological processes.
3. The need to protect both human heritage and biodiversity.
4. The requirement that development should be carried out so that
productivity does not deplete resources for the long term and future
generations.
The objective of sustainable tourism is to retain the economic
and social advantages of tourism development while reducing or
mitigating any undesirable impacts on the natural, historic, cultural or
social environment. This is achieved by balancing the needs of tourists
with those of the destination.

Sustainability Principles
Refers to environmental economic and socio-cultural aspects of
tourism development, and sustainable balance must be established
between these dimensions to guarantee its long term sustainability.
Social sustainability
The ability of a community to absorb extra people for short or
long periods of time and continue functioning without disharmony or
social change
Cultural sustainability
Refers to the ability of people to retain and adapt elements of
their culture that makes them different. It is also refers to retaining a
degree of local cultural identity in the face of global tourism
Economic sustainability
It is the level of economic gain from any tourism activity which
needs to be sufficient to cover the costs of any special measures taken
to cater for the tourist and to migrate the impact of tourists presence.
Ecological sustainability
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.
Conservation element
Talks about the conserving of the diversity of plants and animals
that live in the world and sometimes includes the concept of
conserving the various genetic strains with-in species as well as the
actual species themselves.
Educational element
It is the enlightenment of the new tourism in the cultural ways
and norm of those they are visiting an educational for its own sake.
The training of the hosts so that they are better able to cater for the
wishes of the new middle classes who visit them.
Benefits of being sustainable
Achieve efficiency and saving in business operating activities; ECO
logical=ECO nomic
Maintain natural cycle and marine costal eco systems and their
influence in global climate change
Preserve the destination attraction that prompted tourists to visit them
in the first place.
Maintain destination quality and competitiveness
Protect and improve prospective investment opportunities
Protect and conserve biodiversity as legacy for future generation
Branches of sustainable tourism
There are a number of terms used to discuss tourism that relates in
some way or are similar to sustainable tourism.

Ecotourism tourism that respects the environment by focusing on

environmental protection or appreciation of the environment in some form.
Geo tourism tourism that sustains, or even enhances, the
geographical character of a place, such as its culture, environment, heritage,
and the well-being of its residents.
Voluntourism is a form of travel where one volunteers on projects
which give back to the community.
Responsible tourism - tourism that creates better places for people
to live in, and better places to visit through. Any form of tourism that can be
consumed in a more responsible way.
Responsible tourism is tourism which:

minimizes negative social, economic and environmental impacts

generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the
well-being of host communities

improves working conditions and access to the industry

involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances

makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural

heritage embracing diversity

provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more

meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of
local cultural, social and environmental issues

provides access for physically challenged people

is culturally sensitive, encourages respect between tourists and hosts,

and builds local pride and confidence

Resources:
http://www.sustainabletourism.net/
http://www.tourism.australia.com/
http://www.gdrc.org/
http://www2.unwto.org/
http://www.toinitiative.org/