208
S. Fernandes et al.
sustainable tourism. The tourist activity must be well planned, so that it can then be
well implemented and conducted responsibly in order to be executed successfully;
studies are needed that seek to minimize as much as possible the environmental
degradation of the receiving areas.
The concept of tourism sustainability has been associated, over the years, with
the sustainable development of a tourist destination, which is defended for numerous
reasons. With regard to the ideal tourism development strategy, it must combine the
satisfaction of local populations (promoting and marketing their products) with the
success of the tourist experience, without unduly interfering in the daily lives of residents and setting excellent conditions for safeguarding cultural and environmental
heritage, so that the destination itself can be considered a sustainable tourist destination. As a rule, the visitor seeks the highest quality in the products and services of
the region, as well as their authenticity, never forgetting the culture that characterises
the destination so much and the surrounding natural resources. The focus on local
products and services can be one of the advantages of sustainable tourism, since local
merchants need the support of large hotel chains to develop and promote their work;
by doing so, they end up contributing to a more sustainable tourist destination and
presenting themselves as a support to residents involved in the development of local
products. On the other hand, the local population should be able to derive economic
advantages as satisfaction of tourist activity, because if the tourists consume their
products, the practice of tourism is seen favourable in the eyes of traders. Residents
should improve their techniques and also develop traditional artisanal activities if
they fit the style of the destination where they practice commerce.
Alternative, responsible and sustainable tourist practices aim to relate the development of the destination with the local community, combining the natural factors
with the human aspects, that is, the environment with local people. Economic development is one of the main advantages pointed out in sustainable tourism. The growth
of the destination economy is based on contact with different cultures and customs,
always respecting the identity and authenticity of the local communities of each
destination, in the mutual tolerance between visitors and residents.
The safeguarding of the natural and architectural environment may also influence the increase of the tourist flow in the sustainable tourist destination, since the
tourist tends to prefer to visit a destination whose architectural heritage is cared
for and restored, without losing its original characteristics. With economic development it is possible to invest locally in the human, social and cultural preservation
of the natural and environmental sphere. Tourism is one of the main mechanisms
through which sustainability is promoted. Thus, the objective will be to promote
controlled contact with nature in order to achieve the economic growth necessary for
its development, as well as the satisfaction of the needs of local communities without
jeopardising that of future generations. In order to plan and implement this approach,
it is necessary to reduce the seasonal character of tourist visits, so that the tourist
destination has enough attractions for supporting tourism activities that are balanced
throughout the year, minimizing and reducing environmental and cultural impacts.
The complexes/tourist enterprises should always be framed in the surroundings so
S. Fernandes et al.
sustainable tourism. The tourist activity must be well planned, so that it can then be
well implemented and conducted responsibly in order to be executed successfully;
studies are needed that seek to minimize as much as possible the environmental
degradation of the receiving areas.
The concept of tourism sustainability has been associated, over the years, with
the sustainable development of a tourist destination, which is defended for numerous
reasons. With regard to the ideal tourism development strategy, it must combine the
satisfaction of local populations (promoting and marketing their products) with the
success of the tourist experience, without unduly interfering in the daily lives of residents and setting excellent conditions for safeguarding cultural and environmental
heritage, so that the destination itself can be considered a sustainable tourist destination. As a rule, the visitor seeks the highest quality in the products and services of
the region, as well as their authenticity, never forgetting the culture that characterises
the destination so much and the surrounding natural resources. The focus on local
products and services can be one of the advantages of sustainable tourism, since local
merchants need the support of large hotel chains to develop and promote their work;
by doing so, they end up contributing to a more sustainable tourist destination and
presenting themselves as a support to residents involved in the development of local
products. On the other hand, the local population should be able to derive economic
advantages as satisfaction of tourist activity, because if the tourists consume their
products, the practice of tourism is seen favourable in the eyes of traders. Residents
should improve their techniques and also develop traditional artisanal activities if
they fit the style of the destination where they practice commerce.
Alternative, responsible and sustainable tourist practices aim to relate the development of the destination with the local community, combining the natural factors
with the human aspects, that is, the environment with local people. Economic development is one of the main advantages pointed out in sustainable tourism. The growth
of the destination economy is based on contact with different cultures and customs,
always respecting the identity and authenticity of the local communities of each
destination, in the mutual tolerance between visitors and residents.
The safeguarding of the natural and architectural environment may also influence the increase of the tourist flow in the sustainable tourist destination, since the
tourist tends to prefer to visit a destination whose architectural heritage is cared
for and restored, without losing its original characteristics. With economic development it is possible to invest locally in the human, social and cultural preservation
of the natural and environmental sphere. Tourism is one of the main mechanisms
through which sustainability is promoted. Thus, the objective will be to promote
controlled contact with nature in order to achieve the economic growth necessary for
its development, as well as the satisfaction of the needs of local communities without
jeopardising that of future generations. In order to plan and implement this approach,
it is necessary to reduce the seasonal character of tourist visits, so that the tourist
destination has enough attractions for supporting tourism activities that are balanced
throughout the year, minimizing and reducing environmental and cultural impacts.
The complexes/tourist enterprises should always be framed in the surroundings so