Sustainable Tourism as a Factor of Cohesion among European Regions

Progress towards sustainable tourism has become imperative in the European Union. The tourism industry has grown to massive proportions in the last decade and so has its environmental impact. Since tourism is after all an economic activity, a better management of tourism is not only necessary to mitigate its negative effects on the environment, but also to minimise the potential conflict with other economic activities. Tourism also promotes intercultural relations and mutual understanding and is widely recognized as a mjor opportunity for enhancing the territorial cohesion within Europe. Sustainable tourism can support and drive the territorial cohesion towards a harmonious and balanced development of Europe. It has a high potential to enhance cohesion among regions because it fosters the promotion of identity of each region and the sharing of the diverse European natural and cultural heritages, traditions and languages.European Union: Committee of the Regions is the author of 'Sustainable Tourism as a Factor of Cohesion among European Regions ', published 2006 under ISBN 9789289503785 and ISBN 9289503785.