A number of initiatives have been taken by governments, in all parts of the world to develop national strategies or master plans for sustainable development of tourism, and to develop appropriate regulatory mechanisms and tools such as, environmental assessment, development of building regulations and of environmental standards for tourism.
Several marine protected areas have been created, and voluntary initiatives by the tourism industry are being encouraged. However, in many countries the coastline is being overbuilt due to tourism development. Unfortunately, the same errors are being repeated.
Too often, action is delayed until loss of revenue and cultural and environmental degradation has occurred. The damage can be irreversible. To achieve sustainable tourism preventative approaches must be adopted.