SUSTAINABLE TOURISM: BALANCING ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND COMMUNITY WELL-BEING

Sustainable tourism seeks to decrease the environmental and socio-cultural effects of tourism as well as to enhance positive effects from a social and economic standpoint. As there is an increase in international travel, there is more pressure put on the resources available, the cultural heritage of the destination, accommodation, infrastructure, and public services in general. This paper will examine sustainable tourism as a way to ensure environmental protection as well as economic and community development. Research on sustainable tourism will be examined in the context of responsible planning, visitor management, community involvement and collaboration between the private sector and the government in order to achieve better results. The qualitative review of academic literature and international guidelines will help identify problems and their solutions (such as employment opportunities, respect for culture, etc.). The discussion shows that sustainable tourism is not possible by taking only environmental measures but other steps also have to be taken such as equal employment; respect for culture must be ensured; decision-making has to be made accessible; and tourist revenues have to be shared. Measurable targets have to be set; locals have to be involved in the planning process; local businesses must be supported; efficiency in the use of resources must be ensured; and impacts of tourism have to be measured periodically.