Tourism Developement

Sustainable tourism leads 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." (UN World Tourism Organization)

As tourism can and should play a significant role in the overall process of reaching sustainable development, it must be ecologically bearable in the long-term, economically viable as well as ethically and socially equitable for the local communities.

In order to be effective in the long-term and prevent conflict sustainable tourism development should be done in a participatory way, using respective knowledge and competencies of the younger and older inhabitants as complementary, and should be geared towards a mutual learning process, where communities develop a shared vision and action strategy on the processes and outcomes.

 

Stories
Links with other thematic areas

Intergenerational Learning, including both the traditional knowledge of the older generation, and innovative approach of the younger generation are necessary components of rural tourism development initiatives. The importance of cultural heritage and innovative approaches for tourism development is reflected in sustainable tourism research and policy.

Agro tourism is also growing in its popularity, linking tourism development with Sustainable Agriculture.

Education for Sustainable Development can provide an important basis for raising awareness of communities about the touristic potential of their area and training locals in various aspects of tourist product development.