Sustainable Tourism: The Tour Operator's Contribution

Tourism is one of the largest and fastest growing global industries, creating significant employment and economic development, particularly in many developing countries. Tour operators are an important part of this growth. According to the International Federation of Tour Operators, outbound tour operators represent 12 percent of international arrivals, while in Europe they represent 35 percent of leisure air holidays. This figure does not take into account packages sold by inbound tour operators, or incoming agents, directly to tourists in destinations. This growth has led to an increase in the negative environmental and social impacts of tourism, from resource consumption, pollution and the generation of wastes. Tourism activities can also disrupt or destroy local cultures and introduce unwanted activities such as drugs and prostitution. Because of their significant market share, tour operators are in part responsible for these negative impacts of tourism, as they determine where many tourists go and which facilities they use. They also act in some ways as a catalyst bringing other tourism sectors together.