Politiche e strategie internazionali per un turismo al crocevia delle sfide globali

The need for an international machinery in the field of tourism is currently satisfied by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as well as by other universal and regional organizations. The purpose of this study is to examine the new approach emerged in this context and its evolving trends, which put tourism into the global strategy of sustainable development, in the light of common values such as environmental protection, fight against poverty, respect for human rights. The commitment to these objectives by the international community has led to the elaboration of a new body of international rules, mainly of soft law, aimed at defining the framework of States intervention. This intervention is not to be merely confined to normative production, but is to be oriented to encourage synergic relations with all the subjects involved, so as to reconcile necessities sometimes in opposition - such as growth of the tourism industry and environmental protection - through an appropriate balance of interests and the adoption of good practices, ethically acceptable.