About sustainable tourism

Sustainable Tourism

The International Hotels Environment Initiative (IHEI) defines Sustainable Tourism as:

Tourism development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, taking into account socio-economic factors, as well as environmental management issues.

Emphasises the character of the locale, its architecture, cuisine, heritage, aesthetics and ecology

Benefits local residents and communities – trains and employs local people, buys local supplies, uses local services, and may support local projects, hospitals or schools

Conserves resources, minimising pollution, waste, energy consumption, water usage and chemical usage.

Respects local culture and tradition

Does not abuse its product: anticipates development pressures, applies carrying capacity limits and management techniques to prevent ‘loved to death’ syndrome and co-operates to sustain natural habitats, heritage sites, scenic appeal and local culture

Strives for quality, not quantity, measuring tourism success by not sheer numbers of visitors but length of stay, money spent and quality of experience

About ecotourism

Ecotourism is a subset of sustainable tourism and specifically addresses:

The political and financial support for the protection of the environment

The recognition and respect of the rights of local and indigenous communities

The cultural and environmental education of travellers

See the Quebec Declaration: World Ecotourism Summit