Planning for International Tourism in Less Developed Countries: Toward Sustainability?

Abstract

Despite the rising global importance of tourism as an economic growth tool for national, regional, and local economies, most planning academics in the United States have kept oddly silent regarding the tourist industry. This article aims primarily to inform planning academics and practitioners of the principal issues concerning tourism development in destination areas. Much of the material draws from a rich body of geographical literature that pays specific attention to tourism in less developed countries. The article addresses tourism's principal impacts on destination areas. It stresses that, to plan effectively for tourism development while lessening its negative effects, planners need to understand the sector's dynamics over time. Finally, the article puts forth a number of policies for making tourism a sustainable development option. © 1995, Sage Publications. All rights reserved.

Department(s)

Geography, Geology, and Planning

Document Type

Article

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1177/088541229500900301

Publication Date

1-1-1995

Journal Title

Journal of Planning Literature

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