Tourism and sustainabilityThe concept of sustainable tourism has grown out of the concept of sustainable development (SD) whose most popular definition has arisen from the World Commission on Environment and Development.Their 1986 report (Our Common Future) defined SD as: development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.Sustainability is a requirement of our generation to manage the resources base such that the average quality of life that we ensure ourselves can potentially be shared by all future generations.Sustainable tourism is the tourism that combines high standards of quality with environmental constrains, tourists and local residents in a friendly and stimulating manner which would prove to be a better way to conduct tourism all over the world. In other worlds, it is self-maintaining tourism solving without harm to its surrounding.In tourism, sustainability means Achieving quality growth in a manner that does not deplete the natural and built-in environment and preserves the culture, history and heritage of local community. Achieving balance between number of visitors and the capacity of the given environment Greatest interaction and enjoyment with the least destruction.

Sustainability it needed Preserve resources which attract tourists Satisfy needs of local community Have long term economic benefits without affecting environment/ social elements

The concept of sustainability:1. The idea of holistic planning, cross-sectorial planning and strategy making.2. The importance of preserving essential ecological processes.3. The need to protect both human heritage and biodiversity.4. The requirement that development should be carried out so that productivity does not deplete resources for the long term and future generations.The objective of sustainable tourism is to retain the economic and social advantages of tourism development while reducing or mitigating any undesirable impacts on the natural, historic, cultural or social environment. This is achieved by balancing the needs of tourists with those of the destination.Sustainability PrinciplesRefers to environmental economic and socio-cultural aspects of tourism development, and sustainable balance must be established between these dimensions to guarantee its long term sustainability. Social sustainabilityThe ability of a community to absorb extra people for short or long periods of time and continue functioning without disharmony or social change Cultural sustainability Refers to the ability of people to retain and adapt elements of their culture that makes them different. It is also refers to retaining a degree of local cultural identity in the face of global tourism Economic sustainabilityIt is the level of economic gain from any tourism activity which needs to be sufficient to cover the costs of any special measures taken to cater for the tourist and to migrate the impact of tourists presence. Ecological sustainabilityMake optimal use of environmental resources that constitute a key element in tourism development, maintaining essential ecological processes and helping to conserve natural heritage and biodiversity. Conservation elementTalks about the conserving of the diversity of plants and animals that live in the world and sometimes includes the concept of conserving the various genetic strains with-in species as well as the actual species themselves. Educational elementIt is the enlightenment of the new tourism in the cultural ways and norm of those they are visiting an educational for its own sake. The training of the hosts so that they are better able to cater for the wishes of the new middle classes who visit them.Benefits of being sustainable Achieve efficiency and saving in business operating activities; ECO logical=ECO nomic Maintain natural cycle and marine costal eco systems and their influence in global climate change Preserve the destination attraction that prompted tourists to visit them in the first place. Maintain destination quality and competitiveness Protect and improve prospective investment opportunities Protect and conserve biodiversity as legacy for future generationBranches of sustainable tourismThere are a number of terms used to discuss tourism that relates in some way or are similar to sustainable tourism.Ecotourism tourism that respects the environment by focusing on environmental protection or appreciation of the environment in some form.Geo tourism tourism that sustains, or even enhances, the geographical character of a place, such as its culture, environment, heritage, and the well-being of its residents. Voluntourism is a form of travel where one volunteers on projects which give back to the community.Responsible tourism - tourism that creates better places for people to live in, and better places to visit through. Any form of tourism that can be consumed in a more responsible way.

Responsible tourism is tourism which: minimizes negative social, economic and environmental impacts generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well-being of host communities improves working conditions and access to the industry involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage embracing diversity provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues provides access for physically challenged people is culturally sensitive, encourages respect between tourists and hosts, and builds local pride and confidence

Resources:http://www.sustainabletourism.net/ http://www.tourism.australia.com/ http://www.gdrc.org/http://www2.unwto.org/http://www.toinitiative.org/