Workshop 3

Tourism is the largest industry in the world. How do communities benefit from these activities yet still retain desired quality-of-life outcomes? While there is much information on regional and national level assessment systems regarding tourism, there is a need for a focus on local/community level tools and approaches. QOL indicators are one such approach - local level tourism-based development can benefit from community indicators for assessing impacts as well as developing measures for gauging long-term progress. Indicators are particularly relevant for tourism in the context of sustainability and quality-of-life outcomes. Aspects of preservation of historic and cultural treasures as well as bringing in desirable new activities will be explored in the context of community development. This workshop will provide insight into the links between community tourism-based development and quality-of-life as well as guidelines for using indicators to help assess impacts. Specific examples of indicator systems of tourism-based development will be provided and opportunities to address challenges within this framework will be discussed.