Sustainable tourism is defined by the World Tourism Organization as tourism that meets economic, social, and aesthetic needs while maintaining cultural integrity, ecological processes, biodiversity, and life support systems for both present and future generations. The development of sustainable tourism requires protecting the environment and local communities from the large infrastructure, resource, and waste impacts of the tourism industry as it grows.

2. Sustainable Tourism
World Tourism Organization. They define sustainable
tourism as “tourism which 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.” In
addition they describe the development of
sustainable tourism as a process which meets the
needs of present tourists and host communities
whilst protecting and enhancing needs in the future
(World Tourism Organization 1996)
Presented by – Prabin Poudel

3.  Tourism is one of the world’s largest industries .
 It is also one of the biggest income generators for any country.
 With tourism comes hotels, restaurants, car rental agencies, tour
companies, service stations, souvenir shops, sports equipment rentals,
and much more. All of this creates many different levels of employment
for people in a given community.
 With increasing urbanization, destinations in both industrialized and
developing countries with significant natural features, scenery, cultural
heritage or biodiversity are becoming increasingly popular sites for
tourist destination.
 allows both the tourist and the local community a chance to experience
other cultures, which broadens understanding.
.

4. Facts
 The reality is not quite as clear cut.
 The huge infrastructural and resource demands of tourism (e.g. water
consumption, waste generation and energy use) can have severe impacts
upon local communities and the environment if it is not properly managed .
 Tourists do not always respect traditional cultures, which is sad but true.
 Efforts to preserve and enhance the natural environment should therefore
be a high priority for the industry, local communities and for governments.
 As the scale of tourism grows, the resource use threatens to become
unsustainable.

5. Impacts that tourism development and operational
activities can have .
 Disruption of coasts – e.g shoreline erosion and pollution, impact to coral
reefs and fish spawning grounds.
 Deforestation – loss of forests for fuel wood and timber by the tourist
industry also impact on soil and water quality, bio-diversity integrity,
reducing the collection of forest products by local communities.
 Water overuse – as a result of tourism / recreational activities e.g. golf
courses, swimming pools, and tourist consumption in hotels.
 Urban problems - Congestion and overcrowding, increased vehicle traffic
and resultant environmental impacts, including air and noise pollution, and
health impacts.

6. Con…
 Threats to ecosystems and biodiversity – e.g loss of wildlife and rare
species, habitat loss and degradation.
 Unsustainable and inequitable resource use - Energy and water over
consumption, excessive production of wastes, litter and garbage are all
common impacts.
 Exacerbate climate change – from fossil fuel energy consumption for
travel, hotel and recreational requirements.

7. Conclusion
 sustainable tourism is only possible when we can meet the
definition given by WTO but theory and practical are two
different things .