SH1674

Sustainability in Tourism
I. Sustainable Tourism
 Tourism that takes full account of its current and future
economic, social, and environmental impacts addressing the
needs of visitors, the industry, the environment, and host
communities (World Tourism Organization, n.d.).
 Achieving quality growth in a manner that does not deplete
the natural and built environments and preserves the culture,
history, and heritage of the local community (Cruz, 2011).
negative impacts and focusing on more positive ones such
as promoting cultural exchange and preserving local
traditions. This can usually be achieved by getting the locals
involved in the tourism industry. Having the community
involved will not only offer visitors a more genuine
experience, but the locals will be more likely to see tourism
in a positive light because they will be proud of it.

A. Environmental Sustainability - The environment is

obviously important to tourism. Both the
natural environment (beaches,
forests, waterways) and the built Source: https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=world
environment (historic buildings
C. Economic Sustainability - The last pillar of sustainability
and ruins) must be preserved for
revolves around perhaps the most important part – the
an area to be environmentally
money. Many people don’t take into account economics
sustainable. Environmental
when thinking about sustainability, but it’s really the key to
sustainability means making
making a tourism venture sustainable. Economic
sure resources in an area
sustainability means building linkages and reducing
(whatever they may be) can be
leakages – essentially, keeping the money local. A hotel or
preserved for use by future
company owned and operated by a foreigner is not likely to
generations. It’s much more than just being “green.”
contribute much to the local economy – the money will
Source: https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=world
likely leak overseas
instead. This is not
B. Social Sustainability - When an area starts being visited by
sustainable. Not only
tourists, there are bound to be some social and cultural
should the community be
impacts of those tourists on the host community. Locals
involved in tourism, but
may see increased congestion and overcrowding in towns
they should also all share
and cities, perhaps an increase in crime, the introduction of
in the financial benefits
new languages and values, and perhaps even an influx of
gleaned from it.
migrant workers to be employed in the tourist industry.
Source: https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=statistics
Socio-cultural sustainability, then, means minimizing these
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II. Ecotourism
 Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the
environment, sustains the well-being of the local people and
involves interpretation and education
A. Principles of Ecotourism
 Minimize physical, social, behavioral, and
psychological impacts
 Build environmental and cultural awareness and
respect
 Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts
 Provide direct financial benefits for conservation
 Generate financial benefits for both local people and
private industry
 Deliver memorable interpretative experiences to
visitors that help raise sensitivity to host countries'
political, environmental, and social climates
 Design, construct, and operate low-impact facilities
 Recognize the rights and spiritual beliefs of the
indigenous people in your community and work in
partnership with them to create empowerment
References:
Cruz, Z. (2011). Tourism planning and development.
World Tourism Organization. (n.d.). Sustainable development
07 Handout 1
SH1674
B. Characteristics of Ecotourism areas
 All nature-based forms of tourism in which the main
motivation of the tourists is the observation and
appreciation of nature as well as the traditional cultures
prevailing in natural areas.
 It contains educational and interpretation features.
 It is generally, but not exclusively organized by
specialized tour operators for small groups. Service
provider partners at the destinations tend to be small,
locally owned businesses.
 It minimizes negative impacts upon the natural and
socio-cultural environment.
 It supports the maintenance of natural areas which are
used as ecotourism attractions.
Mandaluyong City: National Book Store.
of tourism [Web log post]. Retrieved from
http://sdt.unwto.org/content/about-us-5
*Property of STI
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