Striking a Balance Between Environmental Preservation and Economic Growth in Tourism Destinations

Abstract

The growth of tourism is an important contributor to economic growth; however, due to the rate of growth in this industry, various aspects of environmental and community structures are being overwhelmed by tourism. Traditional studies have focused on the quantity of tourists or treated the quantity of tourism as a passive result when attempting to examine the relationship between tourism, economic growth and environmental quality and social variables. This study synthesizes current literature to examine the complex, dynamic relationship between tourism and its contribution to economic growth; tourism’s connection with environmental quality; and tourism’s connection with the social aspects of our communities. Among the major conclusions from this synthesis of current literature are that there are irreversible tipping points in ecological systems; that the type and the number of tourists received in an area are both critical to that area’s tourism success; and that environmental quality is one of the key indicators of economic growth. Other important considerations are energy structure, institutional capacity, climate risk, social carrying capacity, digitization, and equity of environmental costs. The findings provide evidence that integrated, adaptable, and sustainable tourism policies are required to achieve a balanced approach to economic benefits, environmental conservation and social well-being and apply a descriptive, secondary method of research to produce this conclusion. The results will provide useful information for tourist planners and policymakers in developing sustainable, resilient, and competitive tourism destinations.