Planning For Sustainable Nature Dependent Tourism Development

Abstract

AbstractSignificant changes in the nature of tourism and broad recognition of its relationship with natural environments suggest that new paradigms to manage tourism development are required. In the future, tourism development will be more sensitive to its environmental impact, and will emphasise nature-based experiences. This focus means that a framework to manage tourism development is needed. While the carrying capacity model has been suggested, it has significant conceptual and practical weaknesses that cannot be overcome. A newer approach, focussing on management of impact instead of visitor numbers, based on the Limits of Acceptable Change process is proposed. Limits of Acceptable Change provides planners with a way of thinking about acceptable levels of impact and how to manage them.