What is Sustainable Tourism?

Summary

This video explores the concept of sustainable tourism, which aims to minimize negative impacts on the environment while maximizing positive outcomes. Sustainable tourism considers the physical, social, and economic effects on destinations, emphasizing the importance of balancing these factors. Tourists, local communities, and companies all share responsibility for preserving the environment for future generations. The video stresses that tourism should meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to experience the planet's resources. Viewers are encouraged to support responsible tourism practices to ensure long-term sustainability.

Takeaways

• 😀 Tourism impacts the environment, both positively and negatively, and these effects must be carefully managed to ensure sustainability.
• 😀 Sustainable tourism is defined as tourism that has more positive than negative effects on the environment in the long term.
• 😀 Negative effects of tourism can include large carbon footprints, strain on natural resources, disruption of local wildlife, and changes to local lifestyles.
• 😀 Positive effects of tourism may include economic benefits, greater cultural understanding, and increased awareness of environmental issues.
• 😀 Sustainability in tourism requires balancing the needs of present and future generations, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
• 😀 The term 'environment' in sustainable tourism encompasses not only the natural environment but also the cultural, social, and economic environments.
• 😀 A PSE analysis (Physical, Social, Economic) is commonly used to evaluate the impacts of tourism on the environment.
• 😀 The 'Triple Bottom Line'—People, Planet, Profit—summarizes the three key areas to focus on for sustainable tourism.
• 😀 The concept of sustainability in human activity was first articulated in the 1987 UN report *Our Common Future*.
• 😀 Sustainable tourism requires responsible actions from both tourists and tourism businesses to ensure the preservation of the environment for future generations.
• 😀 Everyone involved in tourism shares the responsibility to practice sustainability, ensuring that tourism continues to be a viable activity for years to come.

Q & A

What is sustainable tourism?

Sustainable tourism refers to tourism that, in the long term, has more positive than negative effects on the environment, balancing the impact across physical, social, and economic factors.

What are some negative effects of tourism mentioned in the script?

Negative effects of tourism include a large carbon footprint, strain on natural resources, disturbance of flora and fauna, and disruption of local cultures and lifestyles.

What are some positive effects of tourism?

Positive effects of tourism include economic benefits, a better understanding of cultural differences, and increased awareness of environmental issues.

What does the term 'environment' refer to in sustainable tourism?

In sustainable tourism, 'environment' refers not only to the natural environment but also to cultural, social, and economic environments.

What is the PSE analysis in the context of tourism?

PSE analysis stands for Physical, Social, and Economic impacts, which evaluate the effects of tourism on the natural, social, and economic environments.

What is the 'triple bottom line' in tourism?

The 'triple bottom line' refers to the three main factors that should be balanced in sustainable tourism: people, planet, and profit.

How does the UN's 1987 report define sustainability?

The UN's 1987 report defines sustainability as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

How is the UN definition of sustainability applied to tourism?

The UN's definition of sustainability is applied to tourism by ensuring that tourism meets the needs of current tourists while not compromising the ability of future generations to experience tourism in a healthy and prosperous environment.

What does responsible tourism entail?

Responsible tourism involves tourists and tourism companies behaving and operating in a way that does not harm the environment or local cultures, ensuring that tourism remains viable for future generations.

Why is the balance between positive and negative effects important for sustainable tourism?

The balance is important because if the negative effects consistently outweigh the benefits, tourism cannot be sustained in the long term. Ensuring more positive impacts ensures that tourism can continue in a healthy and responsible way.