International Sports Bodies Application of Ecological Sustainability Mechanisms Affecting Sport Tourism Related Natural Environment

Preserving a locality’s environmental and social assets in a highly competitive era becomes the challenging new reality for leisure and tourism management. The appealing concept of sustainability early dictated strategy shifts for the viability of developments at the tourism sector when operating in a fast changing leisure industry. The present study, seeks to utilize the established principles of sustainable development, to be adjusted particularly to the sport tourism function. Using empirical investigation amongst key sports federations, the study aims to map and distinguish processes through which the sport function can realistically establish a sustainable environment for sport tourism-related services. Through interpretations produced from the identified environmental policies, the study aims to reveal the level and nature of sustainable considerations included in the organizational procedures of international sports bodies. In-depth content analysis of policy documents and regulations aims to enlighten their perception of sport development in relation to natural protection as well as the priority given to ecological sports behavior. The parameters deriving from a substantial sample of environmental protection policies as found in the sports leading structures help to guide an effective generalizable sustainability platform, affecting the wider spectrum of sport tourism related activities.