Below you will find a range of interesting links on Sustainable Tourism, including:
- Guidelines and Toolkits
- General Info on Sustainable Tourism
- Reports on Africa
- Case Studies
- Economic Impact
- Poverty Alleviation
– Waste Reduction
- Sustainable Tourism and Communities
Guidelines and Toolkits
Guide for Sustainable Tourism Best Practices
A step by step guide explaining the how-to’s for implementing best practices. [PDF]
Guide to Best Practices for Sustainable Tourism in Tropical Forests
This guide presents detailed information about the tropical forest and the environmental resources most impacted by tourism in this ecosystem. It analyzes the potential problems resulting from tourism activity and recommends specific best management practices to minimize these impacts. [PDF]
Practical Steps for Funding Certification of Tourism Businesses
This handbook, developed in collaboration with the International Ecotourism Society (TIES) is intended to provide those tourism businesses seeking certification, particularly small businesses, an overview of funding mechanisms and possible sources to help underwrite the costs of undertaking sustainable tourism certification. [PDF] [español]
Guide to Best Practices for Sustainable Tourism in Marine-Coastal Ecosystems
This guide presents detailed information about the marine coastal ecosystem and the environmental resources most impacted by tourism. It analyzes the potential problems resulting from tourism activity and recommends specific best management practices to minimize these impacts. [PDF]
An Introduction to Ecotourism Planning [PDF] [français] [português] [español]
Green Guidelines for Tour Operators [PDF]
Ecolodge Guidelines [PDF]
General Info on Sustainable Tourism
Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria [link]
Lessons on Sustainable Tourism
From the World Summit on Sustainable Development (2002) The World Summit held in Johannesburg, South Africa from August 24-September 4, 2002 brought together heads of government, national and international delegates of NGOs and business leaders to assess the progress of the global plan of action for sustainable development. [PDF]
Definition of Ecotourism [link]
The Business of Ecotourism Development and Management [PDF]
Ecotourism and Conservation Brochure [PDF]
Sustainable Tourism, Environmental Protection and Natural Resource Management
- Paradise on Earth? [PDF]
Reports on Africa
Sustainable Development Report on Africa [PDF]
Trends in Sustainable Development – Africa Report 2008-2009
This report highlights key developments and recent trends in sub-Saharan Africa. UN Division for Sustainable Development [link]
African Economic Outlook 2010
- Special theme: Public Resource Mobilisation and Aid. UN Division for Sustainable Development [link]
Innovation for Sustainable Development: Local Case Studies from Africa 2008
This volume aims to highlight many exciting innovations for sustainable development in Africa at the local level. It also begins to assess the scope for scaling up these innovations to make an impact on a larger scale. UN Division for Sustainable Development [link]
Branch Overview of Sustainable Tourism Businesses in Southern Africa [PDF]
Tourism & Coastal Development – Coastal Zones in Sub-Saharan Africa
A scientific review of the priority issues influencing sustainability and vulnerability in coastal communities. UNEP [PPT]
Development of Responsible Tourism Guidelines for South Africa [PDF]
Responsible Tourism in South Africa [Doc]
Enviro-Info 2001 South Africa
This site is aimed at a broad spectrum of interest groups – from the tourist, who wants to know something more about the physical and socio-economic environment of one of the most beautiful countries, to teachers, scholars and students who need information on a variety of subjects. [PDF]
Articles and Case Studies
Economic Impact
Sustainable Tourism: Economic Benefits for Many
An economic impact study of five tourism businesses in Granada, Nicaragua, shows that sustainable tourism provides quality employment, promotes gender equity and benefits the local economy. [PDF]
The Costs and Benefits of Implementing Best Management Practices for Tourism Businesses
A study of 14 hotels in five Latin American countries indicates that investing in sustainable practices not only helps communities and the environment, but also makes financial sense. [PDF]
Agro-based industries and growth: prospects for Sub-Saharan Africa
UN Division for Sustainable Development [PDF]
Poverty Alleviation
The Role of the Environment in Poverty Alleviation
This report explores the challenges of environmental protection and development. The report includes a chapter by Rainforest Alliance president Tensie Whelan on conserving biodiversity and ensuring sustainable livelihoods. [PDF]
Seminar on Sustainable Tourism Development and Poverty Alleviation [PDF]
Waste Reduction
Towards a zero waste South Africa
A case study on post-consumer solid waste management in rural and urban areas [link]
Sustainable Tourism and Communities
Using non-renewable resource revenues for sustainable local development
UN Division for Sustainable Development [PDF]
Foreign land purchases for agriculture: what impact on sustainable development?
UN Division for Sustainable Development [PDF]
The contribution of sustainable agriculture and land management to sustainable development
UN Division for Sustainable Development [PDF]
Providing water to the urban poor in developing countries: the role of tariffs and subsidies
UN Division for Sustainable Development [PDF]
Survey Results Demonstrating the Connection that Community Based Tourism Projects Have to Protected Areas (2007, Preliminary Release) [PDF]
Tourism, Protected Areas, and Communities: Case Studies and Lessons Learned from the Parks in Peril Progran (2002-2007) [link]
Meeting the Global Challenge of Community Participation in Ecotourism
Case Studies and Lessons from Ecuador, Wood, M.E., 1998 [link]
