The emerging world trade system under the World Trade Organization (WTO-OMC) provides a challenge to the tourism-critical groups and organisations. For the first time, trade in services, including tourism, has been subjected to the policies of free trade doctrine through the adoption of General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). Tourism Watch and EQUATIONS initiated this study [RV] to analyse the consequences for tourism in developing countries[RV] .This would help in evolving the strategies that need to be adopted for a sustainable and self-determined development in tourism. This study sheds light on the legal bases of the new world trade order, documents the progress of liberalisation in this sector, identifies its risks and makes proposals for reforms. It takes account of the sectoral problems in developing countries in general and the Indian experience with tourism in particular. Three issues play a prominent role: GATS intervenes deeply into the national and sub-national autonomy of the countries concerned, human rights violations in the field of tourism pose a fundamental question to the new world order and GATS could lead to the disregard of WTO-OMC’s commitment to sustainable development and conservation of natural resources. Implementation of reform proposals in these three issues is important precondition for the development of sustainable forms of tourism within the framework of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD). Publisher: Equitable Tourism Options (EQUATIONS) Contact: [email protected], +91.80.25457607 Visit: www.equitabletourism.org, http://www.equitabletourism.org/stage/readfull.php?AID=767