Definitions of Sustainability
Last updated:
September 2008
Resource Management Act 1991: Definition of sustainable management Section 5(2)
In this Act, sustainable management means managing the use, development, and protection of natural and physical resources in a way, or at a rate, which enables people and communities to provide for their social, economic, and cultural wellbeing and for their health and safety while —
- Sustaining the potential of natural and physical resources (excluding minerals) to meet the reasonably foreseeable needs of future generations; and
- Safeguarding the life-supporting capacity of air, water, soil, and ecosystems; and
- Avoiding, remedying, or mitigating any adverse effects of activities on the environment.
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“Meeting the needs of today, without adversely impacting on the needs of tomorrow.”
The natural environment, our communities, cultures and businesses are all part of what makes up the tourism industry.
Businesses can benefit from the increasing number of visitors seeking an authentic and interactive experience by incorporating sustainable business practices into their operations (e.g. energy efficiency practices, waste management, involving the community in decision making, identifying beneficial partnerships, identifying business risks and managing them, and seeking opportunities).
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Sustainable Development of Tourism Conceptual Definition
(World Tourism Organisation, 2004)
"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 long-term sustainability."
Sustainable tourism should:
- "Make optimal use of environmental resources used in tourism, maintaining essential ecological processes and helping to conserve natural heritage and biodiversity.
- Respect the socio-cultural authenticity of host communities, conserve their built and living cultural heritage and traditional values, and contribute to inter-cultural understanding and tolerance.
- Ensure viable, long-term economic operations, providing socio-economic benefits to all stakeholders that are fairly distributed, including stable employment and income-earning opportunities and social services to host communities, and contributing to poverty alleviation.
- Sustainable tourism development requires the informed participation of all relevant stakeholders, as well as strong political leadership to ensure wide participation and consensus building. Achieving sustainable tourism is a continuous process and it requires ongoing monitoring of impacts, introducing the necessary preventive and/or corrective measures whenever necessary.
- Sustainable tourism should also maintain a high level of tourist satisfaction and ensure a meaningful experience to the tourists, raising their awareness about sustainability issues and promoting sustainable tourism practices amongst them."
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