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A think-tank of tourism experts and officials has concluded that the travel industry must adopt smart measures to ensure that its growth is sustainable and responsible.

The group met in Lima, Peru on 27 September as part of World Tourism Day and included a number of members of the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

It was agreed that as it expands, the tourism industry must place increasing emphasis on ethics, local community involvement and the systematic reduction of carbon emissions.

UNWTO assistant secretary general Geoffrey Lipman said: 'Tourism must grow in a smart way.

'The commitment to credible sustainability criteria will represent big opportunities for new entrepreneurs in this smart growth economy, involving businesses, communities and innovative governments.'

The think-tank also concluded that there should be a focus on the world's poorest nations, the countries that will be the worst affected by climate change, despite being the lowest carbon emitters.

One initiative that is being launched to support sustainability focuses on the Amazon region, and countries such as Brazil, Peru and Colombia, as a preserver of biodiversity with huge ecotourism potential.

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