Sustainable Tourism

During the past five years the IDB Group has become more active in tourism. This trend is due mainly to the fact that tourism is increasingly being considered by IDB member country governments and other donors alike, as a viable and sustainable mechanism for economic and social development. In addition to the common knowledge that tourism generates both foreign exchange and employment, there is an ever increasing knowledge base that asserts that the travel and tourism industry can contribute to sustainable development and, in particular, to poverty alleviation and the preservation of biodiversity.

As part of an ongoing commitment to the NGO community, IDB held a seminar "Orienting Tourism Development to Achieve Sustainability Outcomes in Latin America and the Caribbean" on September 21st, 2004. The purpose of this seminar was to identify ways in which tourism development can directly contribute to environmental sustainability and conservation of natural ecosystems. A series of panel presentations provided both an overview of the thematic area and also addressed areas of responsible best practice and emerging issues for concern and involvement.

For further information please click on one of the following links:

General Overview of Sustainable Tourism
Tourism at the Inter-American Development Bank
NGO Community Seminar - Sustainable Tourism

The Bank welcomes your comments, suggestions and recommendations on how it may further improve its commitment to sustainability through tourism activities and invites you to participate in this discussion. Following the meeting, presentations from this seminar will be available here.

If you are unable to find the information you require about one of our projects please contact us. Email us at tourism@iadb.org.