Abstract

The tourism industry is at a crossroads, facing the dual challenge of promoting growth while ensuring sustainability. Intellectual property (IP) offers vital tools for balancing these objectives by protecting innovations, cultural heritage, and sustainable practices within the tourism sector. This chapter explores the role of various IP rights, such as patents, trademarks, copyrights, and geographical indications, in driving sustainable tourism development. By analyzing existing literature, case studies, and global practices, the chapter highlights how IP can be leveraged to promote eco-friendly innovations, protect cultural assets, and support sustainable branding efforts in tourism. The research draws on secondary data to provide a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities associated with managing IP in the context of sustainable tourism.