Strategic guideline document for French Public Aid for Development

Preamble

Tourism is a major component of the global economy. It is a particularly strong driving industry. Yet since 1993, growth in tourism revenues has been below world GDP growth. And, since 1997, tourism services as a share of all services have dropped from 33% to 26.5%. [1] Nevertheless, tourism remains particularly buoyant and has a considerable impact wherever it is developed. The developing countries see it as an important driving force for growth and economic development.

Yet tourism has its negative repercussions on host countries’ societies and environments. And a country’s cultural and natural heritage is vital to the sustainable development of tourism. Questions and concerns are being raised by the increase in flows to the Southern countries, the use of economic models that do little for the local economies and large carbon footprints due mainly to air transport. [...]

Responsible tourism - (PDF, 3.4 Mo)