The Economist's Sustainable Tourism Index - France Emerges as World Leader in Promoting Sustainable Tourism

France has emerged the world leader in promoting sustainable tourism, in a new report which ranks which countries are best at preserving their social, cultural and environmental capital

In The Economist's Sustainable Tourism Index, the podium is occupied by Europe, with France, Germany and the UK taking up the top three spots.

"Of the ten countries included in the index, only France and Germany have taken concerted and sustained action at the national level to develop policy, set targets and monitor results," researchers write.
1. France
2. Germany
3. UK
4. US
5. Japan
6. India
7. Brazil
8. China
9. Indonesia
10. Egypt


France, for instance, sets specific targets and guidelines for carrying capacity and tourist transport, while Germany is lauded for its mandatory environmental impact assessments which aim to reduce energy, water and greenhouse gas emissions.

It's estimated that tourism contributes about five percent of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions -- a figure that is expected to grow in the coming years, notes the report.