Creating Opportunities for sustainable growth Creative tourism development strategies can breathe new life into old and new tourism destinations and enable them to tap into the world's largest and fastest growing industry - tourism. For emerging tourism destinations, the adoption of policies for sustainable tourism development is important. It is widely recognised that tourism development brings benefits, but also has the potential to destroy the delicate ecological and cultural balance of host communities. Sustainable tourism development strategies are key to sustainable tourism development.
The Government of Dominica, also retained Tourism Intelligence International with funding from the European Union, to develop an Eco Tourism model for Dominica in 1997. The Model developed is assisting Dominica to achieve its vision for tourism - sustainable, harmonized development and growth in which every Dominican has an opportunity to have an education; to have a job; to have an affordable home; to enjoy reasonable standard of living and to enjoy a quality of life style. Tourism Intelligence International recognises that true sustainable tourism development must involve the people and local communities in which ecotourism attractions are being developed. As such, sustainable tourism is more than saving fishes and parrots, but meaningfully involving locals in the process and benefits from development. To this end, Tourism Intelligence International worked very closely with the local communities of Dominica to explain the benefits of conservation and ecotourism and to demonstrate in meaningful ways, how the sector can benefit them; how to become involved in the sector; how to avoid potential pitfalls and how to organise themselves to effectively participate in the process of tourism development. 
  
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