An approach to maximize the positive impact of tourism on society, economy and environment is regarded as sustainable tourism. It has numerous components embedded to it like; food, accommodation, transportation, and logistics. It is also taken as a practical tool to address the complexities of the tourism industry. Despite the different practices worldwide, there is, however, a global consensus that tourism has to be sustainable on itself.
As one of the world’s biggest industries, it has a huge economic, socio-cultural and environmental impact on citizens of the earth. With more than a billion people moving around for tourism annually, tourism should encourage positive effect on global, national and local life and but at the same time not disturb the social, economic and environmental aspects.
On economic fronts, sustainable tourism is expected to produce more employment among people, more investment opportunities for investors, and more revenue for the government. General price rises, less priority in the overall development and more on tourism infrastructure are a couple of by-products, should be avoided as much as possible.
Distinct awareness in society is created by tourism on the preservation of heritage and culture. Tourism encourages social exhibitions of their monuments, foods, festivals and lifestyle. But if it is not checked on time and quality, it may encourage pollution, commercialization and erosion in the cultural and social fabric of the society.
The environment is another aspect, the tourism industry can play a role. It is expected to preserve, promote and flourish certain locations, protect wildlife including endangered animals, flora and fauna. Tourism may also invite pollution, decrease in air and water quality and overuse of natural resources.
Ideal sustainable tourism is a triple bottom line approach, an approach that analyzes all possible aspects of the industry and encourages a positive impact and minimises the negative ones as much as possible.
