ENVIRONMENTAL DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT FOR TOURISM DESTINATIONS

Abstract This work analyses various aspects of environmental management in tourism destinations, highlighting the geographical/ administrative divisions, the main management tools and the environmental quality of these destinations. It discusses the lack of a clear definition of what constitutes a tourism town, highlighting the fact that improvements in a town's environment can bring benefits both to residents and tourists. It analyzes environmental management models such as Agenda 21, the load capacity for towns, and management systems (SGA) for tourism companies and towns. It describes some of the principal environmental certification programs, both in Brazil and abroad, and emphasizes the way in which certification can substantially improve the competitiveness of tourism companies and towns. Key words: environmental management, agenda 21, environmental and tourism certification