2. One of the first definitions of ecotourism was made in 1983 by the Mexican architect
Héctor Ceballos-Lascuráin, who defined it as follows:
"That form of environmentally responsible tourism that involves travel and visitation to
relatively undisturbed natural areas with the object of enjoying, admiring, and studying the
nature (the scenery, wild plants and animals), as well as any cultural aspect (both past and
present) found in these areas, through a process which promotes conservation, has a low
impact on the environment and on culture and favours the active and socioeconomically
beneficial involvement of local communities".
Ecotourism Ecotourism
Tourism to places having unspoiled Tourism to exotic or threatened ecosystems to
natural resources. observe wildlife or to help preserve nature.

3. Ecotourism is the maintenance of very The Australian Commission on National Ecotourism
small-scale, low density tourist Strategy calls it:
developments, usually in locations where “[Ecotourism is] nature-based tourism that involves
the environment is particularly fragile or education and interpretation of the natural
sensitive to human activity, so that environment and is managed to be ecologically
degradation does not occur in those areas. sustainable" .
To the website
The International Ecotourism Society defines
Ecotourism is the term applied to tourism Ecotourism as:
and travel that pays special attention to “[Ecotourism is] responsible travel to natural areas that
environmental concerns. To the website conserves the environment and improves the welfare
of local people".
Ecotourism seeks to educate travellers on conservation of the environment and respect for different
cultures. It also pursues the creation of an ecological conscience, encouraging more activism among
visitors so that they become enthusiastic and effective conservation agents.

4. ECOTOURISM is a sustainable kind of travel since according to its premises, it contributes to
sustainable development.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT is the one which seeks to optimize the present social and economic
benefits, without compromising the potential to obtain similar benefits in the future.
It is also referred to as ETHICAL TOURISM because it seeks the wellbeing of local communities without
leaving the appreciation and conservation of the environment aside.
The terms ECOLOGICAL TOURISM and NATURE BASED TOURISM are synonyms for ECOTOURISM.
ECOTOURISM seeks to improve local communities' welfare, by boosting their economic and social
development, creating economic opportunities which in turn will produce sustainable benefits in time.
Therefore, it is an activity which promotes employment as well as economic and social development,
acting as an alternative income source for social sectors living in hard economic situations.

5. Martha Honey’s definition is becoming the ‘standard definition’.
From her book: “Ecotourism and Sustainable Development”. To the website
She has seven (7) defining point.
• Involves travel to natural destinations
• Minimizes Impact
• Builds environmental awareness
• Provides direct financial benefits for conservation
• Provides financial benefits and empowerment for local people
• Respects local culture
• Supports human rights and democratic movements.

6. The destinations are often remote areas, whether inhabited or uninhabited.
They are usually under some kind of environmental protection at the:
• National
• International
• Communal or
• Private level.

7. TOURISM causes damage.
ECOTOURISM strives to minimize the adverse effects of hotels, trails and other
infrastructure by using either:
• Recycled materials or plentifully available local building materials,
• Renewable sources of energy
• Recycling and safe disposal of waste and garbage
• Environmentally and culturally sensitive architectural design.
Minimization of IMPACT also requires that the numbers and mode of behaviour of tourists
be regulated to ensure limited damage to the ecosystem.

8. ECOTOURISM means education for both tourists and residents of nearby communities.
Tour operators should prior to departure, supply travellers with reading material about :
• The country
• Environment
• Local people
• A code of conduct.
This abides by the Ecotourism Societies guidelines which state:
"to learn about the places and peoples visited" and "to minimize their negative impacts
while visiting sensitive environments and cultures".

9. Essential to GOOD ECOTOURISM are:
• Well trained, multilingual naturalist guides with skills in:
 natural and cultural history
 environment interpretation
 ethical principles
 effective communication.
ECOTOURISM projects should also help educate members of the surrounding community,
school children, and the broader public in the host country. To achieve this they must offer
greatly reduced entrance and lodge fees for nationals and free educational trips for local
students and those living near the tourist attraction.

10. ECOTOURISM helps raise funds for:
• Environmental protection
• Research and education
Through a variety of mechanisms including:
• Park entrance fees
• Tour company
• Hotel
• Airline and airport taxes
• Voluntary contributions.

11. National Parks and other Conservation Areas will only survive if ‘happy people’ live around
their perimeters.
The local community must be involved with and receive income and other tangible benefits
like:
• Portable water
• Roads
• Health clinics
• From the conservation area and its tourist facilities.
Campsites, lodges, guide services, restaurants and other concessions should be run by or in
partnership with communities surrounding a Park or other tourist destination.

12. IMPORTANTLY:
If ECOTOURISM is to be viewed as a TOOL for rural development, it must also help shift
economic and political control to the:
• local community
• cooperative or
• entrepreneur.
This is THE MOST difficult and time-consuming principle in the economic equation.
The ONE PRINCIPLE foreign operators and partners most often let fall through the cracks or
follow only partially or formally.

13. ECOTOURISM is not only ‘GREENER’ but attempts to be less
• culturally intrusive and
• exploitative that ‘Conventional Tourism’.
ECOTOURISM strives to be culturally respectful and have a minimal effect on both the
natural environment and the human population of the host country.
This can be difficult in REMOTE AREAS where there is little experience of ‘the foreigner’.
There is an UNEQUAL RELATIONSHIP between ‘visitor’ and ‘host’.

14. Part of being a RESPONSIBLE ECOTOURIST is learning beforehand about:
• The local customs
• Respecting dress codes
• Social norms and
• Not intruding on the community unless either:
 Invited or
 As part of a well organized tour.

15. ECOTOURISM demands a more HOLISTIC APPROACH to travel - in which participants strive
to respect, learn about and benefit both the local environment and local communities.
Although not part of THE ECOTOURISM SOCIETIES definition:
giving economic benefits and showing cultural sensitivities to local communities
cannot be separated from understanding their political circumstances.
In many developing countries, rural populations living around national parts and other
ecotourism attractions are in deadlock over control of assets and benefits
The ECOTOURIST needs to be sensitive to the host country’s political environment and
social climate and needs to consider the merits of international boycotts called for by those
supporting Democratic Reforms, majority rule and human rights.

16. For example:
The campaign by the African National Congress (ANC) to isolate South Africa through a
boycott of investment, trade, sports and tourism helped bring down apartheid.
Determining whether to boycott or visit a country is not always easy.
Among questions to be asked are:
• Does the economic growth fuelled by tourism really improve the chances of
human rights being respected?
• Will boycotting a country harm already impoverished workers more than it will
corporate of government titans?
• Are the short term economic penalties more than offset by the ultimate
benefits change?

17. Ecotourism:
Perhaps the most over-used and misused word in the travel industry.
But what does it mean?
The Ecotourism Society defines it as "responsible travel to natural areas which conserves
the environment and improves the welfare of the local people".
• A walk through the rainforest IS NOT ECOTOURISM unless that particular walk somehow
benefits that environment and the people who live there.
• A rafting trip IS ONLY ECOTOURISM if it raises awareness and funds to help protect the
watershed.
A loose interpretation of this definition allows many companies to promote themselves as
something that they are not. If true ecotourism is important to you, ask plenty of questions
to determine if your trip will help "conserve and improve" the places you visit.

18. http://www.untamedpath.com/Ecotourism/defining.html
http://www.untamedpath.com/Ecotourism/what_is_ecotourism.html
http://labeduinatours.com/main/eco_desc.aspx?id=1
http://www.ecotourisminamerica.com/tools/definitions/