Tourism is most often defined as a set of relationships and phenomena that arise from the travel and stay of visitors to a place, if this stay does not establish a permanent residence and if no such economic activity is associated with such a stay. Tourism includes recreation, travel and leisure. The subject of this paper is mass vs. responsible tourism. Mass tourism is the most widespread form of tourism characteristic of the period after the Second World War, which began its development in Western societies, and is characterized by group and organized travel, mostly in the engagements of travel agencies and tour operators. During the 20th century, mass tourism caused numerous negative consequences for the development and attractiveness of many world tourist destinations. In contrast to mass tourism as a necessity and a logical sequence of tourism development, responsible tourism began to develop with the aim of reducing the existing ecological footprint and protecting the natural and anthropogenic resources of the destination. Responsible tourism is committed to the constant and increased growth and development of tourism based on new ethical, social, environmental, cultural and economic principles. The aim of this paper is to point out the emergence, development, consequences and interdependence of mass and responsible tourism today.