Tourism, Development and the Environment - Tourism and Development: Concepts and Issues - page 266

Minimising environmental impacts:
Tourism should consider both local and global environmental impacts.
Achieving conservation outcomes:
Tourism should seek to support the conservation of natural areas, habitats and
wildlife and minimise damage to them.
Being different:
One of the keys to successful and sustainable tourism is achieving a clear sense
of difference from other competing destinations.
Achieving authenticity:
The attractions most likely to be successful and of enduring appeal are those
which are genuinely relevant to local history, industry, culture, lifestyle and
natural resources.
Reflecting community values:
This means representing the past, present and future aspirations of the local
community in a living and dynamic way.
Understanding and targeting the market:
Understanding broad market trends and the needs and expectations of specific
segments is critical.
Enhancing the experience:
The 'bundling' of attributes enhances the appeal of a place and the likelihood
of visitation.
Adding value:
Adding value to existing attributes achieves a richer tourism experience and
helps to diversify the local economy.
Having good content:
Telling the story provides a more rewarding experience and ultimately helps
conserve the destination.
Enhancing sense of place through design:
Good design respects the resource, achieves conservation, reflects community
values and is instrumental in telling the story.
Providing mutual benefits to visitors and hosts:
Tourism is an economic and community development tool and must take into
account the benefits that both the host community and the visitor seek.
Building local capacity:
Good tourism businesses get involved with the community and collaborate
with other businesses and stakeholders and help to build local capacity.
Figure 9.3 Principles of sustainable tourism
Source: Adapted from SATC (2007)