Sustainable development and sustainable tourism – between possible and impossible

Abstract

The concept of sustainable development provides an integrating vision and urges to the harmonization of specific activities from all the economic sectors. This concept creates a proper framework for different kind of actions though its sphere of influence, which makes it difficult to apply. Regarding the implementation of sustainable tourism we observed that there are many problems especially in rural areas where tourism is often seen as a quick and safe solution for economical reviving. Unfortunately, the fragility and the great complexity of rural areas make difficult the rapid implementation of the principles of sustainability and any error can lead to important negative effects.