Quality - main factor of sustainable tourism

Abstract

Sustainable development is the most important concern of all the inhabitants of the Earth, regardless of country, gender, race, ethnic origin, social background, etc. The role of tourism in sustainable development is an essential one. Quality is considered to be the defining and indispensable factor of sustainable tourism. We cannot achieve sustainability in tourism, without attributing quality to the services provided, to tourism products, in particular, and to tourism destinations, in general. But how can quality be ensured in tourism? One of the ways to ensure the quality of services provided, including in the field of tourism, are standards. Quality standards in tourism are on the same level as a value system dictated by each individual institution, being applied to all structural and organizational levels. This article aims to examine the aspects that define the quality of services, products and tourist destinations, as well as one of the quality assurance mechanisms – the standards.