18/04/2008 Session
“Too much tourism can kill tourism, and it is up to policy-makers to take strong action in support of a quality-oriented growth of tourism based on the principles of sustainable development, which covers environmental protection, quality of life, cultural diversity, social equity and an economy ensuring prosperity for all”, said José Mendes Bota (Portugal, EPP/CD), presenting his report to the Assembly plenary session.
PACE unanimously adopted the text, which urges member states to take care in handling tourist saturation, to keep a close eye on the threat of climate change and on security issues and to consult the private sector, so as to frame their national tourist development policies with the accent on quality rather than volume.
Europe remains the world’s leading tourist destination and tourist flows are expected to grow in coming years, heightening the risk of overpopulation, pressure on natural resources and tensions for local people.