Sustainable development represents a permanent global process of great importance for tourism and the local community at large, and is based on meeting the needs of present generations and conserving resources so that future generations can meet their needs. On the one hand, the paper shows the positive effects that are generated by tourism and are related primarily to improvement of the employment rate particularly pronounced in the summer months, to development of the local communities and to education of employees in tourism that ultimately lead to positive economic results. On the other hand, tourism activities negatively affect the nature and environment of the destination and create a burden on the existing infrastructure. During the journey and in the residing place, tourists affect all elements of the environment and are major consumers of water, energy, and the vast amount of waste. Solution to these interconnected contradictions are needed to be found in the sustainable development of tourism that will take into account the needs of present tourists and tourism destinations, and will also protect and improve the development potential for the future.