ABSTRACT
Tourism is a complex socio-economic phenomenon based on the growing needs of modern society for recreation and leisure. It also offers opportunities for education and cultural enrichment. Tourism is a result and a cause of sweeping changes in modern societies with far-reaching consequences for both developed and developing economies (Vellas 2002). As a complex of economic activities, tourism has multiple links with other economic activities and consequently impacts on the economy as a whole, on society and the environment. Perhaps more than any other economic activity, tourism has an intricate interrelation with natural and cultural heritage. Tourism depends on the availability and quality of heritage and related resources. At the same time, uncontrolled tourism development may lead to the degradation of cultural and natural heritage, ultimately eroding the potential for sustaining tourism. In that sense, tourism is at the centre of interest in the search for sustainability and a priority field in policy making at local, regional, national and international levels.
