Abstract
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is an important tool for integrating environmental concerns into development planning, particularly in island and coastal regions where ecosystems are highly sensitive and tourism pressures are intense. This paper examines its role in promoting sustainable tourism development in such vulnerable areas. Drawing on a qualitative review of the relevant literature, the study explores the conceptual foundations of EIA, its application in tourism planning, and the factors that influence its effectiveness. The analysis indicates that, although the instrument has strong potential to support environmentally responsible decision making, its implementation is often constrained by weak institutional capacity, insufficient baseline data, limited stakeholder participation, and inadequate enforcement. In many cases, it functions more as a procedural requirement than as a strategic planning tool. The paper argues that, in island and coastal tourism contexts, EIA should move beyond compliance and contribute more directly to environmental protection, community inclusion, and long-term resilience within sustainable development planning.
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