Sustainable Tourism
Sustainable Tourism is tourism that strives to minimize its impact on the environment, to respect local people and cultures, to offer economic benefit to local businesses and communities, and to provide a memorable experience for travellers and protects destinations for future generations. Using small-scale lodging, local transportation, supporting locally-owned businesses, and incorporating community-based ecotourism projects into tours are 
some ways travel can work towards sustainability.
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) provides a conceptual guide for the sustainable development of all tourism:
"Sustainable tourism development guidelines and management
practices are applicable to all forms of tourism in all types of
destinations, including mass tourism and the various niche tourism segments. Sustainability principles refer to the environmental, economic and socio-cultural aspects of tourism development, and a suitable balance must be established between these three dimensions to guarantee its long-term sustainability."
The UNWTO provides further guidelines at unwto.org.
Planeterra endorses the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria, an international initiative to create a common understanding of sustainable tourism. Four main themes drive the criteria: effective sustainability planning; maximizing social and economic benefits for the local community; enhancing cultural heritage; and reducing negative impacts to the environment. To learn more or download the criteria go to the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria website.
For more on the evolution of Sustainable Tourism over the last 20 years, take a look at Megan Epler Wood's article: Community Ecotourism on the Frontiers of Global Development
What is Responsible Travel?
What is Green Travel?
What is Community-Based Tourism?
