Interpretation and sustainable tourism : The potencial and pitfalls

Resumen

ABSTRACT. From the outset, proponents of sustainable tourism have, consciously or not, set great store byinterpretation, and gradually the linkages between sustainable tourism and interpretation have begun to hedeveloped. This discussion examines the potential benefits of linking interpretation and sustainable tourismand assesses a number of the pitfalls or difficulties which are involved. The potential benefits include improvedvisitor management, local economic and environmental gains and fuller community involvement. Among theseveral pitfalls of linking interpretation and sustainable tourism which are considered are the dangers of overinterpretation,intrusion, creating ‘quaint’ tourist landscapes, and those of elitism.}

Desde sus inicios, proponentes del turismo sustentable, conscientemente o no, definieron unagran base interpretativa, y gradualmente las relaciones entre turismo sustentable e interpretación han empezadoa desarrollarse. Este artículo examina el potencial beneficio de ligar la interpretación y el turismo sustentabley examina los errores o dificultades involucradas. Entre los errores de relacionar la interpretación y el turismosustentable se incluyen los peligros de la sobre interpretación, intrusión, creación “pintoresca” de paisaje turístico,y el elitismo.    ***(This article is a reprint from the Journal of Sustainable Tourism, Volume 1, No. 2, 1993)