Increasing pressures

Threats to the environment increase when tourist activities are concentrated in relatively short holiday seasons in small areas, and where there is also environmental pressure from other economic activities such as agriculture, industrial development, fishing and an expanding resident population.

Tourism and recreation affect and are affected by the environment. Their success strongly depends on the quality of the natural and cultural environment.

When they are poorly managed or allowed to get out of control, tourism and recreation become another source of pollution. This is particularly relevant to Central and Eastern Europe where there exists a temptation to develop unsustainable tourism as a "quick fix" to assist economic recovery.