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Sustainable Tourism involves social responsibility,
a strong commitment to nature and the integration of
local people in any tourist operation or development.
Sustainable tourism is defined by the World
Tourism Organisation (WTO), the Tourism
Council (WTTC) and the Earth
Council as:
Sustainable Tourism Development meets
the needs of present tourists, host regions while protecting
and enhancing 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. Sustainable tourism products are products
which are operated in harmony with the local environment,
community and cultures so that these become the beneficiaries
not the victims of tourism development.
Responsible Tourism, Soft Tourism, Minimum
Impact Tourism and Alternative Tourism are terms with
a similar meaning as Sustainable Tourism.They are, for
the purpose of this module included in the term Sustainable
Tourism.
Some factors can be seen as "drivers",
pushing the tourism industry towards a sustainable development
approach.
These are:
- Increasing regulatory pressure
- Growing awareness of cost savings
from sensible resource consumption
- Tourism professionals and operators
recognise that environmental quality is essential
for a competitive product
- The awareness by governments
and operators that the growth of tourism can have
a negative impact on the environment
- A growing awareness of communities
about their potential to influence tourism policy
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