Sustainable development is a pattern of resource use that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment, so that this needs can be met not only in the present, but also for the future generation. Sustainable development ties together concern for the carrying capacity of natural systems with the social challenges facing humanity. Sustainable development does not only focus on environmental issues. The United Nations 2005 World Summit Outcome Document refers to the "interdependent and mutually reinforcing pillars" of sustainable development as economic development, social development, and environmental protection The present paper analyses a sector application of this concept: sustainable tourism. Sustainable tourism development includes a set of heading principles. In implementing these principles, the reduction of the negative effects of tourism is needed. To include tourism in a sustainable approach, a few essential objectives must be attained. To reach these objectives, a link between tourism and other economical fields is needed, because tourism is a sector which has a lot of direct and indirect influences. That way, sustainable development of tourism means a permanent and continuous equilibrium between tourism development and environment protection. The sustainable tourism objectives in Romania covers: the diversification of the tourist services and their alignment to the international quality standards, the exploitation of each region potential, the arrangement of touristic and leisure zones, the promotion of both: urban and agro-tourism, the implementation of eco-tourism concept, training of the personnel engaged, new employment possibilities, the protection and conservation of the cultural and historical patrimony of each region, a good promotion of the touristical potential. Protection and preservation of the touristical potential - in the sustainable development view - is a distinctive activity, with specific issues, which requires the contribution of the specialists form various domains. The strategies used may have a satisfactory efficiency just when they assure a proper legal and administrative framework, which implies a good administrative organization, efficient economic resources, an efficient legislative support and a permanent civic education. In Romania, they are not necessary just simple investments in tourism, because it is also needed a marketing which may underline the opportunities of our country.

sustainable tourism; environment; touristic resources

Presentation: oral