Abstract
This chapter discusses the flawed economic systems that support the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) industry, detail expansive negative impacts to the environment from CAFO pollution, and presents evidence that CAFOs harm the communities in which they operate. The Global Sustainable Tourism Council was created to assist the industry with a common understanding of sustainability in tourism around the world. The Criteria for sustainable operations address transport, wastewater, solid waste, harmful substances, and efforts to minimize pollution. The primary issues with air pollution stem from the way in which untreated manure is addressed. Animal waste is integrated back to soils to replenish and balance nutrients utilized by crops which feed the animals. Beyond the development of a sustainable management plan for operations, the Criteria specifically asks that tourism operations maximize social and economic benefits to local communities and minimize negative ones. Sustainable tourism cannot ignore animal welfare, including within food industries.