The quotation on the right is the slogan for sustainable tourism. Sustainable tourism means that tourism can be used to provide both employment and a source of income, but it must do so without damaging the natural environment, so that future generations can benefit from it.
Let’s look at how the different regions we have studied in this chapter are trying to achieve this:
Take only photographs and
The Alps
Developing eco- friendlier travel packages transporting guests by rail or bus, thereby reducing carbon footprint
Reducing the number of new ski slopes created each year
The Mediterranean
Measuring and monitoring the environmental impacts of tourism activities on the landscape
Identifying, protecting and restoring vulnerable and damaged coastal landscapes
Reducing the number of high-rise hotels built directly on coastlines
Promoting the Tidy Towns competition, encouraging locals to maintain towns and villages throughout the country
Encouraging travel by rail, bus and bike, and opening up walking routes around Ireland, in an effort to reduce carbon footprint
Encouraging ‘staycations’ (where people holiday in their own country) to reduce the number of flights
Greenways are trails built to be used exclusively by cyclists, pedestrians and other non-motorised transport
leave only footprints. Ireland
Question Time 1. What is sustainable tourism?
2. List two steps each country/region discussed in this chapter have taken to ensure tourism is more sustainable for the future.
3. Which country/region in your opinion has the best approach towards achieving sustainable tourism? Give a reason for your answer.