Sustainable development is not yet widely well understood. This is why it is important to develop concrete action programmes to be able to demonstrate the high value of sustainable development. The sustainable tourism approach means seeking harmony between economic, environmental and social aims. In national parks and other protected areas, sustainable development programmes demonstrate the desire to promote economic development. To enhance the quality of life of those who live work and spend their leisure time there, and to preserve the natural and cultural heritage.
Tourism can play a key role in sustainable development.
It can provide extra resources for the local economy and help maintain traditional skills or provide new uses for traditional buildings. It can have an important role in raising public awareness of environmental issues. Finally, the quality of the tourism product depends very largely on the quality of the environment, so tourism and conservation really do go hand in hand. The seminar opened with two exposes. The first communication, presented by Beatrice Noel, an eco-consultant, described the foundations and genesis of the concept of sustainable development and its application to the case of the Parc Naturel Regional des Vosges du Nord.