What is Sustainable Tourism?

Sustainable tourism is not a marketing idea to attract new markets - it is a strategic term to describe a specific approach to the development of tourism. Sustainable tourism aims to take all impacts, positive and negative, into account. All tourism has the potential to be more sustainable.

As well as encouraging continued tourism growth, sustainable tourism will ensure that Scotland’s two key tourism assets, our natural heritage and our communities, will survive and thrive. 

Sustainable tourism has the following characteristics;

Economic prosperity

• long term competitive and prosperous tourism businesses
• quality employment opportunities, fair pay and conditions for all employees

Social equity and cohesion

• tourism that improves the quality of life of local communities,
• community involvement in tourism planning and management,
• safe, satisfying and fulfilling visitor experiences

Environmental and cultural protection

• reduced pollution and degradation of the global and local environment
• tourism that maintains and strengthens biodiversity
• tourism that maintains and enriches our unique and diverse culture

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