4.1 What is sustainability?

The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (nd.) says that sustainable tourism is ‘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’. Primarily, it is a long-term goal – it focuses on how to maintain the system of tourism and how to use it to get best value without negative impacts either now or in the future.

The concept of sustainability was originally just about the environment. The first mention of sustainability in development was in a book called ‘Our Common Future’ by the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) in 1987. The WCED was put together by the UN, which believed there was a need for a global agenda for change by putting the environment first.

Chairing the Commission was the then Danish Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland and the book is sometimes referred to as ‘The Brundtland Report’. ‘Our Common Future’ says that sustainability is where we can meet present needs without negative impacts on future generations meeting their needs. On that basis, it says, ‘the goals of economic and social development must be defined in terms of sustainability’ (2009). Looking at tourism, this means sustainability must be designed into tourism projects and should continue to meet needs without adversely affecting the future. Practically, then, although economic growth is important – what matters is whether the way to achieving it is sustainable or not. If it is not sustainable then it should not be considered desirable.

To emphasise the importance of sustainability within tourism, tourism also has a place in supporting the UN’s 2015 Sustainable Development Goals and is a key target in goals 8, 12 and 13 although it contributes to nearly all of the 17 goals.

In terms of the specific goals where there is a key target, tourism must:

• For SDG 8 (promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all) employ women and youth, ensuring access to finance for opening and expansion of tourism-related activities and waste management. Specifically, SDG target 8.9, aims to ‘by 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products’.
• For SDG 12 (ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns) build local, regional and national capacity for sustainability and limit waste from tourism activities such as hotels and restaurants.
• For SDG 13 (take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts) consider sustainable energy sources and natural resource management such as water use and ensuring biodiversity on land holdings.