Do Sustainable Tourism Practices Really Matter To Us?

By Author: Jenny Tervo
Total Articles: 44
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The tourism industry, which is currently developing very rapidly, cannot ignore the current environmental degradation. Tourism activities are significantly changing the landscapes that they are occupying. However, the sustainable development of this sector is still a question that deserves serious consideration among all actors in the field of tourism.


The sustainable development of tourism means developing and taking into account the economic, social, and environmental factors that will promote an acceptable balance between tourist activities and the preservation and protection of ecosystems.


Sustainable tourism has three pillars: environmental, economic, and social. Sustainable Tourism is also characterized by the involvement of local communities in both its design and implementation. Sustainable tourism is therefore sustainable development that focuses on the use of natural resources without endangering ...
... their ability for future generations to meet their own needs.


Following are some Sustainable Tourism practices that can be made more common inside the tourism industry:

Protecting nature, such as forests and seas, is also a goal.
Dissemination of information on sustainable tourism practices to tourists.
Promoting local community involvement in decision-making processes that affect them.
Sustainability training for all tourism business stakeholders.

Tourism is the backbone of many country's economies, propping up hundreds of thousands if not millions of jobs worldwide. Without tourism, these people would be unemployed and possibly impoverished as there are usually limited job opportunities in places like Caribbean islands or coastal areas where tourism is key to survival. It is important to remember that many tourism workers are at the lower end of the socio-economic spectrum and their living standards rely on income generated by tourism. Sustainability is more than just about preserving nature; it's also about protecting the employees who make up big parts of society in various nations' economies.


The necessity for long-term development in the tourism sector is not limited to environmental issues. Sustainability in tourism means ensuring that these workers, who form important parts of society in several countries, continue to have a prosperous economic future. It means sustaining both natural resources and socio-economic aspects to avoid poverty and conflict. It can also improve the quality of relationships between tourists and residents so that they can benefit each other.


We cannot ignore the current environmental degradation which affects all types of business sectors, especially those who operate based on using natural resources for their activities. 


Tourism sustainability viewpoints:

Sustainability is a corporate responsibility and a commitment to the triple bottom line of people, planet, profit.

Sustainability affects all aspects of business operations from how much water is being used in hotels to how much energy is used in restaurants.

Sustainability is truly integrated into the culture of every aspect of an organization's operations, including marketing and public relations. Sustainability is not just for one department, staff, or company but should be part of every process within the business.

Sustainability drives innovation and creativity to drive change in how tourism businesses operate so they can continue thriving today and far into the future.

Sustainability in tourism is about protecting both the environment and local communities, creating value that lasts.

Sustainability in tourism means helping to change the world by promoting understanding of our planet and how it has been shaped by us humans. It means advocating and practicing responsible travel and ensuring tourism benefits both local people and visitors alike. Sustainability is about creating lasting memories through learning, understanding, doing, and sharing.

Sustainability in the tourism sector goes beyond environmental issues such as climate change or pollution, to include conservation of culture and heritage, sustainable livelihoods for rural communities, and employment opportunities. Sustainability also requires economic success to be a prerequisite for protecting the environment and meeting the socio-economic needs of people.

Sustainability is a responsibility, not only by individual tourism business but as an industry sector that has huge potential to play a positive role in our society. Sustainability is about balancing economic prosperity with environmental protection and working together to create low-carbon cities that work in harmony with the natural environment.

Sustainability is about changing how we think about our relationship with nature and culture, promoting new ideas for living better lives while protecting natural resources. 

To conclude, sustainability is a crucial element that must be considered when we plan and operate tourism businesses. Tourism provides many opportunities for people to explore the world and learn about other cultures, proving to be important in helping social and cultural development: however, it requires sustainable practices to continue generating these positive impacts and benefits on society as a whole. It is our responsibility as an industry to ensure that we keep this value alive for future generations.


Within the travel sector, there is a concern for ecological sustainability, but it is also about development sustainability. Sustainability Leadership in Tourism entails establishing an industry that will benefit future generations of the world community.