What is sustainable tourism?

A sustainable tourism destination is achieved by balancing social, environmental and economic values to achieve a level and style of tourism that:

• Protects and enhances the natural and built features upon which the tourism industry is based.
• Is consistent with community values and aspirations both now and over the long term, and contributes to community development and well-being.
• Is appropriately developed and marketed so that it is distinctive, competitive and synergetic, and with the flexibility to respond to market changes now and in the future.

Every destination is characterised by social, economic and environmental attributes that play out to create opportunities and issues for the development of tourism. There is no single framework or model solution to develop a sustainable tourism destination. Trade-offs and compromise between business, community and government interests are needed. The size, nature and styles of sustainable tourism will be different in every destination. Moreover, localities within each destination may have different optimal levels of tourism development and foci of tourism activity and services. (i)

It is useful to conceptualise the trade-offs to be made using a sustainable tourism triangle. The three points on this triangle represent the environmental, social and economic values present in the destination. In essence, a sustainable tourism destination is reached when any conflicts between environmental, community and economic values and imperatives are resolved through collaboration and compromise and a situation is reached whereby the destination is environmentally sustainable, economically competitive and community well-being and harmony are enhanced through tourism. (ii) (iii)

However, a truly sustainable tourism destination is difficult to achieve. Destinations are dynamic; issues come and go; and it is not always possible to make trade-offs and compromises that everyone agrees with. It may be necessary ‘to agree to disagree’ in order to move the project forward.

(i) Dredge, D. and J. Jenkins (2007). Tourism Policy and Planning. Brisbane, John Wiley & Sons.
(ii) Bramwell, B. (2004). Partnerships, Participation, and Social Science Research in Tourism Planning A companion to Tourism. A. Lew, C. M. Hall and A. Williams. Oxford, Blackwell
(iii) UNEP (2003). Tourism and Local Agenda 21: The role of local authorities in sustainable tourism. Paris, United Nations Environment Programme & International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives.