From this review of the literature, the following conclusions may be drawn:
1. There is a need for a holistic definition of ‘sustainable tourism’.
Sustainable tourism has, in the literature, evolved from a purely environmental viewpoint to
include a more balanced view incorporating social, cultural and economic elements.
However, its history in environmentalism still pervades, creating confusion and ambiguity in
understanding sustainable tourism (see Sinclair & Jayawardena, 2003). Formal definitions
offered by the UNWTO do little to reduce this ambiguity. As it stands, sustainable tourism as
a concept, should been seen to promote the development of a successful and viable tourism
industry. This industry must recognise the need for environmental and cultural
sustainability, via minimising negative environmental, social, cultural and economic impacts
to the community and enhancing positive impacts to the community. In this way,
sustainable tourism can be recognised as a catalyst for social and economic development
which supports the community and the industry for maximum benefit.
2. The stakeholder environment in which LDCs operate influences the theoretical
foundations of sustainable tourism, as well as affecting practical implementation.
The inconsistencies in theory and practice highlighted in the literature can be largely
attributed to the influences of the external and internal stakeholders involved in sustainable
tourism in LDCs. Recognition of these influences and effects can lead to the reconciliation of
these inconsistencies via the acceptance of some inevitabilities and the introduction of
processes to minimise their impact. The priority is the transformation of theory to reflect a
reality which accepts the practical implications of stakeholder involvement.
3. A clearer understanding of key objectives of sustainable tourism for development in
LDCs is required as a foundation for informing practical approaches to tourism.
Three key types of practical approaches to sustainable tourism development have been
identified. However, the continued debate surrounding the definitions of sustainable
tourism development and the multitude of interpretations of available definitions distracts
from the development of key objectives which will stimulate best practice.
4. There is no basis for standardising sustainable tourism approaches or evaluating
these approaches to promote successful implementation in terms of theoretical
objectives.