Sustainable Tourism

"Tourism is like fire.
You can cook your soup with it or burn your house down with it."
-asian proverb

More and more people are vacationing in foreign countries and the tourism industry is the fastest growing economic sector worldwide. In 2008 the annual number of international travelers reached almost 900 million. Countries situated in the south are experiencing the highest growth rates in tourism as they attract vacationers with unspoiled nature, pristine beaches, sunny weather, and from the "western" perspective, an exotic culture – all at a relatively cheap price.

The tourism boom in the south has created jobs and increased incomes for citizens of these developing nations. Alongside economic improvements, however, these countries now face new or increased environmental destruction, cultural and social conflict, and economic dependency.

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other groups have long pointed out these negative repercussions from long-distance tourism and continue to promote sustainable tourism as the only form that will contribute to stable growth in developing countries.

Sustainable tourism protects the environment, respects and complies with native societies and cultures, and is economically profitable.

biz supports the development of sustainable tourism by:

• organizing programs such as seminars, discussions, and exhibitions
• collecting subject literature in our library
• preparing learning materials for the classroom

Learn more about sustainable tourism at: http://www.sustainabletourismcriteria.org/index.php