Futures Prospectives for Sustainable Tourism

Abstract

The world will face the challenges of sustainable development in the terms of social, environmental and economic sustainability in all sectors (e.g. Bruntland, 1987). In these days of Covid19 tourism will be in focus because of the restrictions in mobility and traveling. Already before Covid the responsible tourism was arising and the negative consequences of global tourism got attention. This paper presents the results of the web survey consisting of political, economic, social, technological and ecological factors affecting the future of tourism in European context. We received altogether 46 replies to the survey. We have used methods from futures studies (see Bell, 1997; Masini, 1993). According to the results, sustainability concerning tourism is not only environmental issues, but also health and safety dimensions. Virtual reality offers opportunities in the time of uncertainties. It will also create new challenges and threats. In the worst case scenario people travel and cause overtourism and damages to the nature and to the culture. In the best case scenario tourists find a sustainable way of living, staying longer and respecting people living there.