Definition of sustainable tourism

The UNWTO (World Tourism Organisation) define sustainable tourism as:

Tourism that meets the needs of present tourists and host regions while protecting and enhancing opportunity for the future. 

Rather than being a type of product, it is an ethos that underpins all tourism activities. As such, it is integral to all aspects of tourism development and management rather than being an add-on component.

The objective of sustainable tourism is to retain the economic and social advantages of tourism development while reducing or mitigating any undesirable impacts on the natural, historic, cultural or social environment. This is achieved by balancing the needs of tourists with those of the destination.

Therefore, to be sustainable, all tourism activity must comply with the following four key principles. 

Visitor Satisfaction
(Visitors must be satisfied with all aspects of the tourism product)
Industry Profitability
(The return to the industry must allow for reinvestment and growth)
Community Acceptance
(Account must be taken of the host community’s present character and future aspirations)
Environmental Protection
(The natural, historic and cultural resources on which the industry is based must be protected)
 
This is known as the VICE principle.