The possibilities of coexistence of tourism and ecology are explored in the paper. It emphasizes the importance of sustainability in tourism as a key factor for environmental preservation. The focus is on the analysis of models for measuring the impact of tourism on the environment, such as destination life cycle models and measuring the destination's carbon footprint, and the negative impact of mass tourism on the environment, which resulted in the degradation of natural resources. Due to the expansive impact of mass tourism on the environment, the paper emphasizes the need to introduce sustainable specific forms of tourism that are an alternative to mass tourism. Sustainable forms of tourism, such as ecotourism, agrotourism and sustainable rural tourism, promote minimal impact on the environment, preservation of cultural heritage and support for the local community. The concept of carrying capacity is presented, through which a balance between tourist activities and environmental preservation can be achieved because holistic implementation of sustainability encompasses all aspects of the economic, ecological and sociocultural elements of tourism. Sustainability is emerging as a key factor for the coexistence of tourism and ecology, i.e., as a factor for achieving long-term harmony between tourism and the environment, and for preserving natural resources and cultural heritage for future generations.