Approaches to overcoming these difficulties through improved monitoring and understanding of the structure and function of the human system and ecosystem are desirable. Given that truly sustainable tourism is an unattainable goal in the foreseeable future, an appropriate approach could be to concentrate on measuring improvement in tourism performance in terms of sustainability (Goodal & Stabler, 1997). Many practical trials have been undertaken in an attempt to overcome the complexity and difficulties faced in the assessment process. ‘The Bellagio Principles for Assessment’ is one recent contribution. In response to the need for improved assessment, the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) produced a set of such principles (guiding vision and goals; holistic perspective; essential elements such as equity and disparity, ecological conditions, and human/social well-being; adequate scope in time and space; practical focus; openness; efficient communication; broad participation; on-going assessment; and institutional managing capacity). The principles serve as practical guidelines for the whole assessment process from system-design and identification of indicators to field measurement and compilation, and the interpretation and communication of results (Hodge & Hardi, 1997). These 10 principles can be used as guidelines for tourism sustainability assessment, and most are incorporated into the assessment process developed in this paper.