SUSTAINABLE TOURISM The United Nations World Tourism Organisation defines sustainable tourism as tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities . It includes: Environmental sustainability: natural heritage and biodiversity must be conserved; Social sustainability: sustainable tourism should help to conserve the cultural heritage of local people, also helping to promote intercultural tolerance; Economic sustainability: tourism can be a powerful force to reduce poverty and inequality, especially in rural areas where other economic activities are difficult to implement . The Galapagos Islands: an example The Galapagos Islands are a small chain of islands 1,000km from the West coast of South America. They are Ecuadorian and are home to an incredible array of animals and plants which are not found anywhere else in the world. This is because the islands are isolated from the rest of the world s land mass by the Pacific Ocean, and plants and animals have been allowed to evolve in their own way for hundreds of thousands of years. Approximately 90% of the Islands are designated as National parks and there are only 20,000 permanent human residents, allowing for a high degree of protection of the environment. The area became the first UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979 and it is also a biosphere reserve. Tourists visit under strict rules: Tourists can only visit a limited number of places on the Islands; No tourist is allowed to explore the islands independently. A guide is required for each small group. The number of visitors allowed in some areas is restricted. Boat routes between islands are planned and only use small ferry boats (most of which are owned by local people) of 10 to 16 tourists. Boat licenses are required. Entrance fees are applied to visitors. Trips must have educational opportunities for visitors and local people. Urban development zones have been established, so only certain specified areas can have, for example, a new hotel built. The Galapagos have fully embraced the sustainable tourism approach because local people make a valuable living from tourism as guides, boat owners and cleaners or by being employed in restaurants and hotels. array: insieme embraced: adottato heritage: eredità, retaggio host: ospite implement: realizzare 98 Adapted from: https://www.geographycasestudy.com/sustainable-tourismand-ecotourism/ https://www.coolgeography.co.uk/GCSE/AQA/Tourism/ Sustainable/Case%20study%20Sust%20Tourism.htm https://www.discoveringgalapagos.org.uk/discover/ sustainable-development/sustainable-tourism/managingecotourism-in-galapagos