Publication: Twenty Reasons Sustainable Tourism Counts for Development
Date
2017
ISSN
Published
2017
Author(s)
International Finance Corporation
Abstract
The focus of this paper is on
sustainable tourism’s wider benefits, it is important to
acknowledge that there are tradeoffs involved. Like other
economic activities, tourism both gives and takes from
communities and travelers. When it is poorly planned,
tourism can negatively impact cities, parks, and historic
monuments, and put severe pressure on local infrastructure,
resident communities, and their resources. When properly
planned and managed, sustainable tourism can contribute to
improved livelihoods, inclusion, cultural heritage and
natural resource protection, and promote international
understanding. The goal of this paper is to build the case
for this type of sustainable and inclusive tourism
development. In support of sustainable tourism, United
Nations has designated 2017 as the International Year of
‘Sustainable Tourism for Development’. Sustainable tourism
is identified as a vital component to ensure the
achievements of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 8,
12, and 14 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
This makes it an ideal moment to update and reaffirm the
evidence case behind tourism as a development tool. UNWTO
(the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of
responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism)
outlines the five pillars of tourism for development shown.
Drawing from these pillars, this paper identifies 20 reasons
sustainable tourism counts for tourism destinations, people
who live there, and travelers. The following reasons are
only a starting point for integrating a holistic approach to
sustainable tourism into development projects.
Citation
“International Finance Corporation. 2017. Twenty Reasons Sustainable Tourism Counts for Development; Twenty Reasons Sustainable Tourism Counts for Development. Tourism for Development knowledge series;. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/28388 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”