Sustainable tourism as a long-term tourism industry development

Abstract

The tourism industry is one of the largest industries in the world. The Covid-19 pandemic outbreak brought unprecedented change onto tourism industry, causing it to suffer greatly. Today, as health and travel restrictions are lifted, tourism is starting to revive and regenerate once again. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, many organizations had been working towards developing new forms of tourism that would diminish environmental impacts and maintain tourism's national and local benefits. Sustainable tourism refers to how to develop tourism on a long-term basis within economic, social and cultural harmony. In some countries, such as Malta, tourism one of the leading economic contributors, and thus, also impacts other sectors in society, like hospitality and aviation. Controlling the volume of tourism may have several consequences on economic growth development. This dissertation investigates the impact that sustainable tourism may have in a country like Malta. A survey conducted among local residents sought to gauge their perceptions about this. Although participants in the study recognize the economic benefits of tourism in Malta, they are also aware of how this may also impact Malta negatively too. Furthermore, the age of participants also had an effect on their perceptions towards sustainable tourism.