Introduction The Chamonix Mont Blanc Geneva conference cycle The results of the first summit The objectives of the second summit Reconsidering the concept of sustainable development and growth in tourism Tourism as an economic concept The conflicting demands of growth and environment protection Problems associated with sustainability and growth in tourism Getting the best out of the growth potential The strategy : tourism as the locomotive of world economic development The main trends: the creative demand-side forces Knowledge accumulation : the mechanisms for creating innovation The production factors : access to resources The market : developing new products, and quality assurance Industrialisation : new competitive structures Institutional aspects : incentive systems Conclusions Prof. Dr Peter Keller HEC School, Lausanne University Head of Tourism, Economic Secretariat President of the OCDE Tourism Committee, European Commission of the World Tourism Organization (WTO), and the International Association of Leading Tourism Scientists (AIEST).