- Author: Dr. Brunilda Licaj
University Aleksandr Moisiu, Durres Albania
ORCID:0000-0001-5695-3204
1.a. Correspondent Author: Dr.Sc. Kushtrim Dreshaj
University of Business and Technology, Kosovo
ORCID: 0000-0001-5686-2564
1.a. Correspondent Author: Dr.sc. Fatmire Shala Dreshaj
University of Business and Technology, Kosovo
ORCID:0000-0002-7579-4744
1.a. Correspondent Author: Dr.sc. Sali Krasniqi
University of Business and Technology, Kosovo
ORCID:0000-0001-6221-2074
Abstract
Tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in the world and an important source of foreign exchange and employment, while it is closely linked to the social, economic and environmental well-being of many countries, especially developing countries. Marine or ocean-related tourism, as well as coastal tourism, are for example vital sectors of the economy in small states. Sustainable tourism refers to sustainable practices within and by the tourism industry. It is an aspiration to recognize all impacts of tourism, both positive and negative. It aims to minimize negative impacts and maximize positive ones. Negative impacts on a destination include economic drain, damage to the natural environment, and overpopulation to name a few. Positive impacts on a destination include job creation, preservation and interpretation of cultural heritage, landscape restoration for wildlife conservation, and more. Ecotourism is a distinct segment of tourism in natural areas. The term emerged in the late 1980s. Ecotourism is a sustainable form of tourism based on natural resources that focuses primarily on experiencing and learning about nature, and that is ethically managed to be low-impact, non-consumptive, and locally oriented. It usually occurs in natural areas and should contribute to the conservation or preservation of such areas.
The aim of our work in this paper is for the reader to gain a sense of the complexity of tourism through recognition of the number of elements required to transport tourists from their generating regions to their destinations, and all the services needed to facilitate their experiences and return home.
Tourists are an important example of the consumer ethic that is sweeping the world, which in turn has been stimulated by neoliberal forces that push people to consume more.
As a social science field, it is not inconceivable that tourism is subject to a variety of definitions and interpretations. Chief among these discussions is the fundamental nature of tourism as a stand-alone industry or composed of several other related sub-sectors (Simmons, 2013). The following definition provides a good basis for understanding the elements that make up the entire tourism system.