indicates that different actors (representing different levels, L1 to L4 in Figure 1) with different
types of resources have to be engaged in the process. The whole process, including a time
dimension, must be directed by the principles of sustainable development and the process
of STD.
Four main groups of actors can be identified as central in a partnership model pursuing
ST. Different researchers have stressed somewhat different actors, but as can be seen in Table
1, the view of actors who should cooperate and be involved in a STD process is quite
homogeneous.
Tourism companies (tour operators, travel agencies, hotels, etc.), host society and tourists
are actors found on a micro-level, i.e. at the first level (L1) in Figure 1. Project leaders and
local tourism organizations, which are responsible for the development of a larger tourism