Sustainable Tourism Law

654 SUSTAINABLE TOURISM LAW sustainability concerns by businesses and the awareness of tourists regarding the need to start choosing sustainable destinations. The Commission advances a set of principles related to a simultaneously competitive and sustainable tourism, specifically: 1. Adopting a holistic and integrated approach , taking into account the economic, social and environmental impacts in order to accomplish a balanced tourism that respects the society and the environment; 2. Plan for the long term , attending not only to the most immediate perspective linked to the needs of the current generation but also identifying and taking in consideration the needs of future generations; 3. Achieve an appropriate pace and rhythm of development; 4. Involve all stakeholders , making all interested parties intervene 77 ; 5. Using the best available knowledge in the definition of policies and at decision level and sharing them at the European level; 6. The precautionary principle, acting in a preventive way in order to avoid any negative effect on the environment or society; 7. Reflect impacts in costs (user and polluter pays); 8. Settlement and observance of the capacity of touristic destinations, establishing limits to the touristic development and flows 78 ; 9. Proceeding to a permanent control of impacts (undertake continuous monitoring): “Sustainability is all about understanding impacts and being alert to them all the time, so that the necessary changes and improvements can be made”. The focus on collective and continued actions, initiatives such as “European Destinations of Excellence” (EDEN) or the promotion of Europe as a quality and sustainable destination are other important aspects referred in the document, which also mentions several community funds from which touristic projects can benefit. Since several community policies 79 can influence tourism and its sustainability, there’s the need to integrate this last aspect and competitiveness in theCommission’s policies, which should attend to the specific needs of territories, regardless of 77 “A sustainable approach requires widespread and committed participation in decision making and practical implementation by all those implicated in the outcome”. 78 “The carrying capacity of individual sites and wider areas should be recognised, with a readiness and ability to limit, where and when appropriate, the amount of tourism development and volume of tourist flows”. 79 The environment, transports, employment or investigation.