The region's fertility rate stood at 6.7 in 1960, and was still at 6.4 in the early 1990s. High population growth increases demands for water, food, energy, housing, employment, medical services and education. Economic development is urgently needed to foster growth and employment, alleviate poverty and raise hopes for the future. Tourism has proved to be a powerful vehicle in providing countries, particularly poor ones, with the resources they badly need to reduce their debts and pay for their imports. It has the potential to create jobs without the long lead times needed for major capital projects - and it is most accessible to young people, women and small entrepreneurs.
Tourism is an important engine of economic growth and job creation.
The industry continues to expand faster than average world economic growth, as disposable income and free time increase in developed countries. Taking nature into account Sustainability concerns both tourism's effect on the environment and the distribution of its economic and social costs and benefits. We depend on the Earth's resources to sustain our lives - from the most basic requirements, such as air, water and food, through to the materials we use for shelter, transport, job opportunities and recreation. Most of the Earth's resources are renewable. They must be utilized sustainably if we are to continue reaping their benefits.