As supported in the Sonnenalp Resort of Vail’s Sustainability Policy, sustainable tourism has a broader focus then "eco-tourism."  Sustainability issues address the Environmental, Economic and Social impacts of tourism and define goals based on maximizing tourism’s social and economic benefits to local communities and environments while reducing the negative impacts on cultural and environmental resources and planning for sustainability. 

To best visualize the issues of long-term sustainability, the Natural Step organization demonstrates the converging lines of increasing demand and decreasing resources as the sides of a funnel.  To continue operating status quo, is to close this funnel.  The focus of sustainable practices is to reduce this demand and the pressure on diminishing resources to alter this convergence and avoid a catastrophic collision.   Working together, we can all make a difference.