Sustainable Tourism

As one of the largest export industries in the world, international tourism continues to generate a huge number of travelers and revenue. While tourism can bring tremendous economic benefits, it also carries serious dangers to the environment and host culture such as misuse of land or squandering of natural resources amongst several others. In order to solve this problem, the concept behind sustainable tourism was born and enforced by the United Nations.

The World Tourism Organization, an agency of the UN, defines sustainable tourism as “tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.” The overlaying objective of sustainable tourism is to ensure that development brings a positive experience for local people, tourism companies and the tourists themselves. Furthermore, the three main goals of every sustainable tourism project are to conserve environmental resources, respect and preserve the local cultural heritage and provide socioeconomic benefits to everyone. Particularly in developing countries, sustainable tourism has the potential to raise people out of poverty and protect natural resources.

At Island Outpost, our Jamaica resorts are committed to minimizing our impact in the environments we inhabit. Through our sustainable farming efforts with Pantrepant Farm, we strive to preserve and enhance the habitats of all marine, bird, and wildlife, and the wealth of vegetation that surrounds us.