THE IMPORTANCE OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN TERM OF CLIMATE CHANGES

Nowadays the importance of environmental issues and sustainable tourism development are growing. Aim of the article is to identify the impact of tourism on the environment and to identify tools, which eliminate the negative impacts of tourism on the environment. In 1998 World Tourism Organization established megatrends, that will influence the development of international tourism beginning of the 21st century and one of them is the growing importance of ecotourism. The article deals with characteristic of sustainable tourism development, ecotourism and environmental management in tourist enterprises.

 The environment is becoming one of the major alarming aspects of modern society and many people are aware of this. In recent decades dominated concepts such as environmental protection and sustainable tourism development. In 1942 Hunziker and Krapf  defined tourism as the sum of the phenomena and relationships arising from the travel and stay of non-residents, insofar as they do not lead to permanent residence and are not connected with any earning activity. Tourism meets the needs of people to rest, cognition, health, entertainment, sporting and cultural activities and business travel. Tourism as a phenomenon is sensitive to the country's image and the main motives for participation in tourism is the primary tourist supply. Environmental conditions are an important factor in the development of tourism. Tourism needs a high quality environment including attractive landscapes and natural resources (such as mountain

areas, lakes, forests, biodiversity, etc.). The natural environment is on the input and output side of tourism and it is therefore necessary to identify the relationship of environment and tourism and impacts on all those, who participate in tourism (visitor, local population) and the effects of tourism on the destination. On the input side is the natural environment, which includes water, soil, air, flora and fauna and also the anthropogenic environment. Primary touris supply on the output side includes a positive effect for visitors such as construction of tourism facilities and expanding opportunities to see natural and cultural potential of destination. On the other hand, tourism generates negative effects in terms of waste, the negative impacts of traffic, congestion of the country, inadequate environmental landscape construction and inadequate environmental activities. Tourism is a growing source of pressure on the natural environment. Tourism does not usually bring large scale of environmental degradation on a global scale. Several of the negative impacts of tourism are mainly due to seasonal temporal and spatial concentration of local activities. The valuable natural areas and destination, where the tourism activities in terms of time concentrate on the high seasonal peaks, can be impacted negative of tourism on the natural environment at the local level.

 Tourism development

To determine the impact of tourism on the environment is necessary to determine the effects, monitor and quantify them, and also identify measures to eliminate them, if they are negative.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is considered one of the main instruments of international environmental policy for the implementation of sustainable development. In developed countries is applying more than three decades. It is based on the following principles:
- the complexity of evaluation of the anticipated impact of the activities and strategy document on the environment before deciding on their permission,
- impact assessment by experts from various fields,
- active public participation in the review process,
- several ways of solving,
- the assessment process does not replace the permit process of the work (http://eia.enviroportal.sk/, 11.01.2010).
Processing of sector indicator report is based on the methodology established by the European Environment Agency (EEA). It is the process of evaluating indicator of the implementation of environmental aspects into sectors of economic activities and their impact on the environment. The evaluation process is focused on two phases:
- 1st phase: establishment and development of a set of aggregate and individual indicators by D-P-S-I-R model (Driving forces – Pressure – State – Impact - Response),
- 2nd phase: development of the sector indicator reports (Tourism and its impact on the environment in the Slovak Republic for 2007, Sector indicator report, 2008).
The result of the report is to determine the impact of tourism on the environment. Tourism is very sensitive to any positive, but negative changes in particular political, economic, social and environmental conditions not only in destination, but also in region and countrie. It is also factor of changes in environmental conditions of the destination. Tourism has a positive impact on the country's economy, but negative on the environment through interventions in the natural environment. Negative impacts of tourism, particularly on the natural values of the area, it is all about:
- consumption of natural resources (energy, water, soil) and waste - The tourist enterprises waste of resources, including water and energy and also produce large quantities of waste. Enterprises should try and conserve resources and reduce waste and sorted;
- influence on the construction of tourist enterprises and increase the intensity of using of available infrastructure - During the construction of new capacity or expansion of existing tourist enterprises should be ensured development standards, site suitability and compliance with the environment. In the field of water management is problem in some location with lack of infrastructure - sewerage and sewage treatment;
- traffic growth and air, water and soil pollution - According to a study The environmental impact of aircraft on the atmosphere (Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, 1994; In Holloway, 2002) 3% of CO2 emissions come from air transport. Also car and water transport contribute to pollution. Water tranport by dumping fuel overboard and waste also pollute the water and negatively effect flora and fauna on the coast. Many visitors use car transport, which has negative effect (air pollution and erosion).
- noise – for example, in African national parks, visitors can interfere with noise animals at watering. Motor boats and accommodation near the airport is also negative to indigenous peoples;
- overcrowding and erosion - Overcrowding as a problem exists on the psychological and physical level. Parking, trails, beaches, streets, cathedrals, each has a capacity limit. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) determines standards capacity of visitors (Table 1). Many sand dunes in U.S. are influenced by erosion, because the surface is very fragile and the second reason is using of beach buggies. In Britain the erosion is caused by karts. On the coast of Queensland (The Great Barrier Reef) and also in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean it is possible, that corals are destroyed by divers, who are touching and standing close to them. The solution is to establish and identify limit capacity and educate visitors. This includes also frequently visited cities such as Florence, Venice and Machu Picchu in Peru;

          Table 1: Capacity of visitors in selected areas Source: Holloway, 2002, p. 359.

 - negative impact on flora and fauna - Visitors not only bought souvenirs, but also took plant, flowers, coral, which are usually unique in the area and protected, because they are threatened. But not only the flora is threatened by visitors, as well as fauna. Animals lose their natural environment, visitors are sick of close to them and visitors become trophies;
- others - Consequences of winter sports are also negative. 50 million people per year visit Alps and about 7 million people transit through Alps.

Considerable deforestation for the construction of ski slopes, grass skiing and riding quads causing soil erosion and artificial snow has a negative impact on flora and fauna. Among other impacts include overcrowding in built-up areas and thus reducing the attractiveness of existing facilities and graffiti on the cultural and historical monuments.
Positive effects of tourism on the environment are generally the image creation, advertising / promotion, improved position in the international market and increase property values.

 Sustainable tourism 

 Tourism impact positively also in the following areas:
- tourism as a tool for conservation, which includes the protection and care of natural and cultural landscape (hills, mountains, coast, rural areas, national parks, protected landscape area),
- protection of vulnerable ecosystems (such as funding the necessary conservation measures through tourism in underdeveloped countries),
- tourism generates revenue and turnover,
- tourism as an employer and buyer of agricultural products, products for regional visitors improving the quality of the natural environment.
Tourism contributes also to environmental awareness and could change behavior of visitors. It is by supporting environmental awareness by tourist enterprises and their environmental management or nature-based tourism, which contributes to increasing of environmental awareness and change point of view of visitors.
From the perspective of the impact of tourism on the environment is necessary to accent the existing connection. The success of the destinations depends on their natural and cultural potential. Protecting the environment is a prerequisite for maintaining and increasing the attractiveness of the destination, which allows him to develop tourist activities. On the other hand, tourism depend on its intensity is changing natural and social environment. Negative impacts of tourism on environment are strengted by overcrowding.
Tourism started to develop intensively in the fifties and sixties of the 20th century and gradually started to show the consequences of mass tourism. Mass tourism is acoording to Kučerová (1999) is tourism with characteristic as overcrowding, passive approach visitors, comfortable, solid program of stay, use of transport, shopping and noise. Negative impacts of mass tourism on the natural values of the area is the consumption of natural resources (energy, water, soil) and waste production, growing traffic, increasing the intensity of use of available infrastructure, noise and destruction of fauna and flora. Continued uncontrolled growth can threaten sustainable development. If activities are not technically, organisationally and spatially regulated in a responsible way, they can result in adverse changes in local environmental and socio - cultural conditions of local populations in the destination. This will significantly reduce the benefits of tourism for local and regional economy. Mass tourism has a negative impact on the environment and can bring 41 degradation of the country and reduce the quality of life of local populations. Unqualified intervention in the ecosystem of the country, which is associated with tourism activities, through small interventions can cause chain reaction with a significant change in the environment. Sometimes a balance in the ecosystem can not be possible to re-achieve because of this change. Experimental part and results obtained. Positive impact of tourism must be preserved and promoted. In contrast, negative impacts of tourism can be eliminated by planning of consumption and its control, specifying the limit of capacity and standards development, implementation of environmental policy and management.

 
Today gradually increasing importance of environmental protection and sustainable tourism development, because of future of tourism and also mankind is connected with healthy environment. Sustainability generally means that economic, social and ecological systems or certain of its properties can be maintained longer, especially for the benefit of future generations. Concepts of sustainability and sustainable development started to use in seventies of the 20th century, particularly in connection with the knowledge that any uncontrolled growth (population, production, consumption, pollution, etc.) is unsustainable in an environment of limited resources. In 1972 the United Nations published a report entitled "Our Common Future", which emphasizes the idea of sustainable development. In 1992 during the United Nations conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, also known as the Earth Summit, was generally accepted concept of sustainability. The output of the conference was two documents - Agenda 21 and the Rio Declaration, which result in the formation of the Commission on Sustainable Development from the initiative of the United Nations. Agenda 21 is a conception of sustainable development for the 21st century and is an expression of global consensus and identification work in the field of sustainable development. The European Union supports the protection of the environment through environmental policy, whose base is 6 action programs of environmental protection. 6th action programme entitled "Environment 2010: Our Future, Our Choice (2001-2010)" has set the following priority areas for action, namely the fight against climate change, nature conservation and biodiversity, environmental protection, health and quality of life and protection of natural resources.

States that sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It is a process of change in which exploitation of resources, direction of investments, the orientation of technological development and institutional changes are in harmony and enhance current and future potential of satisfying human needs and aspirations. Sustainable development is regarded as an alternative development strategy and effective post-modern society in a globalizing world of interdependencies, a limited number of resources, growing population and very polluted environment describes sustainable development as a defensive development, which is realized gradually, controlled, regulated and providing for long-term goals. It takes into account the needs and interests of the whole societ y to preserve natural and cultural values and also development, that in itself contains elements of continuous quality improvement. Characteristic of sustainable tourism is that it has low impact on the environment and local culture while maintaining acceptable living conditions for future generations. The positivum is that the development brings benefits to the local people, businesses and visitors. If visitors are informed about culture, politics and economics in the visited destination, it can contribute to intercultural understanding and tolerance. Visitors support the local economy by buying local products. According to Gúčik (In Piteková, 2009, p. 149) development of tourism is possible only in certain limits, to prevent the devastated potential of destination. One of the trends of tourism is a departure from the mass tourism. The ozone hole and greenhouse effect has become a global environmental programs, therefore affected the tourism awareness for sustainable tourism development.
Sustainable development is important for the economy in terms of benefits of prosperity without destroying natural resources and the conditions of existence for future generations. Therefore, currently is growing importance of environmental and sustainability of tourism, which is linked to ecotourism. World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) established in 1998 megatrends that will influence the development of international tourism beginning of the 21st century and one of them is the growing of importance of ecotourism.
The concept of ecotourism was created in response to intense impact of mass tourism in the fifties and sixties of the 20th century, and in conjunction with the concept of sustainable tourism development. The United Nations declared year 2002 as the international year of ecotourism. Weaver  states that products and ecotourism attractions are mainly based on the natural potential, because that he called it also nature- based tourism. Ecotourism is based on the activities of environmental care and began to develop as an idea that should contribute to nature conservation and protection of natural resources in the world.

 
The spectrum of views and perspectives on ecotourism is relatively wide. The basic definition of ecotourism is a characteristic used by the authors of Wallace (1996) and The International Ecotourism Society (2001). In their point of view, ecotourism is responsible travel to natural areas that conserve the environment and improve the living conditions of local populations. This short definition is the most common and is base for expanding definitions from Freedman (1997), Gúčik (2000) and Denman (2007). Some authors (Wight, 1993; McCool, 1994; Klinda, 2000, Novack, 2001; Weaver, 2001; Janegerová, 2002, Blamey, 2007) emphasizes the link between sustainable tourism and ecotourism. Elements that appear in most definitions, we could consider as the characteristics of
this kind of tourism. These terms are environmental conservation, ecological sustainability, benefits for local people, learning about local culture and education of visitors. In terms of location, it is an unspoiled natural environment, most protected areas with unique species of fauna and flora, rural areas or developing countries. In addition to local flora and fauna add authors as Wallace (1996), Gúčik (2000) and Denmann (2007) local culture as one of the main attractions, which mediates the natural and cultural heritage of destination for visitors. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and the authors as Cater and Lowman (1994), Wallace (1996), Ceballos-Lascuráin (1996), Weaver (2001), Brandon (2003) and Fennell (2003 ) have opinion, that education of visitors is an important part of ecotourism. The International Ecotourism Society and the authors as Burton (1992), Honey (1999), Novack (2001) and Peake (2009) emphasize, that ecotourism is realized in protected areas with undisturbed natural environment. Rural areas are by some authors (Cruz, 2005; Choo, 2009) location, which mainly offers ecotourism. Authors such as Hall and Lew (1998), Campbell (2002), Butcher (2006) and Franch (2008) are turning ecotourism especially to developing countries. Based on the study of literature we could summarize, that ecotourism is a form of sustainable tourism, environmentally friendly, which includes travel, or visit undisturbed natural areas to study and appreciate the natural attractions and local culture, and bring social and economic benefits for local populations. It is a respect of the natural environment, cultural heritage and local communities in visited destination.

The aim of ecotourism is the formation of a symbiotic relationship between visitors, local populations and natural areas (King and Stewart, In Winson, 2006, p. 7). The primary objectives include:
- promoting environmental awareness and behavior,
- conservation and biodiversity,
- provide a positive contribution to the flora and fauna,
- involving local communities in realization of ecotourism (Ceballos-Lascuráin, In Winson, 2006).
The aim is also to limit the negative effects such as depletion of natural resources, pollution and ecosystem changes. Ecotourism is actively contributing to the protection of natural and cultural heritage, to involving local people in planning, development of the destination. It focuses on local flora, fauna and culture, which are the main attractions and mediates natural and cultural heritage destination to visitors. The UNWTO has identified for development of ecotourism the following principles. Tourism has to contribute to protecting the natural environment, tourism requires
specific policies, strategies and programs for each destination, requires a practical and effective system of cooperation between all stakeholders. Planning ecotourism should be based on clearly defined criteria and urban land division, planning and design of tourist enterprises must be implemented in way, which no negative effect on the natural and cultural environment. Vehicles and roads in destination must pollute the area at a minimum and tourism in national parks and protected landscape areas must be strictly adhered to rules, which are laid down their management. Ecoagrotourism, rural tourism and agrotourism are considered as environmentally friendly forms of ecotourism.
Ecotourism has three basic characteristics according to Blamey and Weaver (In Uriel, 2007):
- is based on natural attractions, which include part of the cultural heritage,
- provides educational opportunities and gain experience, which distinguish ecotourism destinations from destinations based only on the natural potential of the motivation for relaxation and enjoyment,
- aims of planning and development is to maximize the ecological and socio-cultural sustainability.
Weaver (2001b, p. 658) adds to these characteristics also economic sustainability. Other features defined Franch (2008, p. 7). This is the production of the minimum environmental impact, minimal impact and maximum respect for the host culture and the maximum economic benefits for the host country.
Weaver (2001a, p. 106) characterized the two poles of ecotourism. There are called "hard" and "soft" ecotourism (Table 2) and according that, the ecotourism activities are located between these two types.
Table 2: Characteristics of "hard" and "soft" ecotourism as ideal types Source: Weaver, 2001a, p. 106.
Edgell (2006, p. 42) has opinion, that the key to successful ecotourism is to balance the number of visitors to the capacity of the environment in a way, that allows interaction without disturbing environment. It is the determination of the capacity limit, which represent the maximum number of people they can use the site without unacceptable disruption of the natural environment and without an unacceptable decline in quality of experience obtained visitors (Mathieson, Wall, In Kučerová, 1999, p. 47).
In terms of demand for tourism are expected increasing visitors, who will have a positive relationship with the environment. Environmental awareness of visitors is increasing under the influence of deteriorating natural environment and also an increased awareness of global issues. Günther (2002, p. 212) defined environmental awareness as a synthesis of attitudes, knowledge and action. Creating and following a change of attitude that leads to the acquisition of knowledge and results in behavioral change. The greatest interests in environmentaly friendly equipment have visitors from countries, where is the tradition of production of organic products. Among these countries, which have a traditional approach to environmental protection, are 43 Germany, Austria, Netherlands and Scandinavian countries (www.ecolabel-tourism.eu, 2009).

Consumers of ecotourism are mainly from North America, Europe and Japan (Herbig, 1997, p. 235). According to The International Ecotourism Society (Hamele, TIES Global Ecotourism In Fact Sheet, 2006) is the visitor profile of ecotourism in Europe following. This is the more experienced visitors, better-educated with higher income, which is in middle age. Herbig (1997, p. 235) add, that they choose a longer holiday and for one day have higher costs than less environmentally conscious visitors. The International Ecotourism Society in its report of 2006 (TIES Global Ecotourism Fact Sheet, 2006) indicates that more than two thirds of visitors from the U.S. and Australia, 90 % of visitors from the United Kingdom is considered active protection of the environment and promote the responsibility of the local population, when they chosen hotel or destination. In Europe, 5-10 % of visitors prefer so. green holidays. In Germany, 65 % of visitors expected environmental quality in selected destination and 42 % think, that it is particularly important to find accommodation that respects the environment. 95 % of visitors from Switzerland considers, that respect for local culture is very important, when choosing a holiday. 87 % of visitors from the United Kingdom have an opinion, that during their holiday should not be destroy the environment.
Tourist supply of ecotourism are areas of undisturbed natural potential. Even the tourism industry can contribute to maintaining a healthy environment. Individual hotel affects only a small part of the global environment, but with appropriate environmental measures can contribute to improving the environment at local level. Tourist enterprises as well as destinations can through environmental policy and management to reduce and prevent negative effects of tourism on the environment and ensure the sustainability of tourism development. Hotels around the world because of their number can certainly contribute to solving major global environmental problems, which are caused by global warming and greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide, ozone depletion, acid rain and over the exploitation of non-renewable energy sources (eg oil, coal, etc.).
Environmental policy is a set of tools and measures
for environmental protection. It is starting point is the environmental audit and formulation of specific objectives included the protection of natural, cultural and social values, development of environmental education programs, reduction of waste, reducing energy consumption, water, reducing the negative impact on tourism resources .
Environmental management is defined as an approach to managing enterprise and tourist destination, whose aim is reduce the negative impact of services and goods production on the environment. Environmental management according to Patúš.
Focuses primarily on reducing energy consumption, water, chemicals, reduce waste generation, increasing the share of natural materials, reducing noise and emissions and saving construction areas (soil). Today, legislation on environmental protection, increasingly stringent, so it is necessary, that the enterprise adheres to all standards that are admit. If the enterprise violates the regulations and standards relating to the environment, not only must pay the fine, but it risks a negative impact on the image and possibly a decrease among of visitors.
Environmental management system (EMS) ISO 14001 is one of the important management tools. EMS consists of a number of interrelated elements that allow organizations to analyze, control and reduce negative environmental impacts of activities, products and services, as well as lead an organization with greater efficiency and control. In the 90s the International Organization for Standardisation (ISO) created a scheme EMS, containing elements that each EMS must meet. Models such schemes are widely applicable for all types of enterprises and organizations. While ISO 14001 is applicable worldwide, EMAS is a European standard applied in EU countries. The aim of environmental management is to find a solution to manage business activities and not to cause environmental degradation. The benefits of the establishment of environmental management can be found in the economic sphere, the benefits for the organization's management, in relations with employees and public relations and also in the benefits for business and marketing.
Applying the principles of environmental management for various reasons, ranging from moral and ethical to save operating costs and improve marketing positions. Tourism companies can directly affect the natural environment by being as part of their product offering activities that are environmentally efficient, minimize waste, consumption of energy resources and water, using local raw materials and educate staff. Günther (2002, p. 131-132) notes that most hotels and enterprises in Central and Eastern Europe still lacks an effective and sustainable environmental management, which are represented all levels of management. Hotels should implemente at the beginning of the application of environmental management measures, that are ecologically and economically efficient, they can be implemented in the short term and have no restriction for guests. These measures include activities that use resources such as water, waste water, waste sorting and saving energy.
In the last decade get to the fore green hotels and ecorestaurant offering organic food. The philosophy of environmental-oriented hotels (also called ecohotels, green hotels, biohotels) is based on collaboration guests and nature, a healthy diet and environmentally friendly activities (Gúčik, 2000, p. 28). They use biologically valuable food and goods from surrounding region, minimizing waste, sort and recycle it and it use advanced technologies and thus reduce the consumption of strategic raw materials (water, heat, electricity, fuel). In ecohotel employees and guests are systematically educating (Gúčik, 2001, p. 97). Ecohotel is designation for accommodation possessing the certificate "The Flower - Environmentally Friendly Service". Ecolabel scheme, which is valid in the EU, is a supranational system that was based on EU Regulation in 1992.

Ecolabel is a voluntary mark, which guarantees the elimination of negative visitor impacts on the environment. The ecolabel is not only associated with small and medium-sized enterprises, but also with international hotel chains. Brand can be obtained after completion of specified standards and criterias.

Conclusion. Nowadays interest in solving accumulated problems in the field of environmental protection is on the increase. Protecting the environment has strong support in the world in the form of international conferences, agreements and regulations to protect the environment.

Tourism is developing in destination, where is a natural, cultural and historical potential. Disruption of the balance of the country can lead to gradual liquidation of tourism in destination. It follows that tourism and the environment are interdependent and affect each other. Positive impact of tourism must be preserved and promoted. In contrast, the negative impacts of tourism can be eliminated by planning consumption and its control, specifying the limit of capacity and standards development, implementation of environmental policy and management in enterprises and tourist destination.
At present is growing the importance of environmental issues and sustainable tourism development, which is linked to ecotourism.

 In 1998 World Tourism Organization established megatrends, that will influence the development of international tourism beginning of the 21st century and one of them is the growing of the importance of ecotourism. Ecotourism is an expression of philosophy of sustainable development of society and ecotourism is the solution to ensure a unique natural, cultural and historical potential of the region, country or world for future generations.
If the amount of information on global issues increases, hypotetically grows environmental awareness of visitors and then their demand for ecotourism and traveling to destination, which be consistent with sustainable tourism development and visit tourist enterprises, which apply environmental policy and management. In conditions of globalization, the application of the principles of environmental management becomes a significant factor in competitiveness on the market. Implementation of the principles of environmental management has a positive effect not only on the environment, but mainly to reduce operating costs and not least to improve the image of the company and destination. Individual tourist enterprise affects only a small part of the global environment, but with appropriate environmental measures can contribute to improving the environment at local level.