Publication Details
Abstract
The relationship between tourism development and environmental protection represents one of the most pressing challenges in contemporary tourism governance. As global tourism arrivals recover and surpass pre-pandemic peaks, the environmental costs of unmanaged growth, such as carbon emissions, habitat destruction, water depletion, and the social-ecological pressures of over-tourism, demand strategic responses that go beyond voluntary greenwashing. This article examines the theoretical foundations, empirical evidence, and management strategies associated with sustainable tourism development and environmental protection. Through a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature, the study identifies the principal environmental impacts of tourism, reviews the major theoretical and policy frameworks guiding sustainability practice, analyses the effectiveness of key management strategies, and proposes a phased implementation roadmap for stakeholders across the tourism ecosystem. The findings show that sustainable tourism is achievable when robust governance, community engagement, carrying capacity management, and green investment are integrated within coherent destination management frameworks aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.