Definition of Ecotourism

Definition of Ecotourism
Many stakeholders involved in ecotourism. Nature conservation organizations and enviromental experts consider ecotourism as a tool for conservation of natural environment, while the world donor institutions see it as a tool to achieve sustainable development. On the other hand, many developing countries hope it will become an opportunity to attract many international visitors. Almost similiar with them, the tourism actors also use ecotourism as a marketing tool to attract visitors whoare more aware about environment and social issues. As a result, various definition about ecotourism inevitably emerge, depend on each own interest.

These are several definition from influential institutions in the world :

• " Ecotourism is a responsible travel ot natural areas that converse the environment and improve the well-being af local people". ( The International Ecotourism Society ( TIES) 1990
• " Ecotourism is an environmentally responsible travel and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas, in order to joy and appreciate natural ( and any accompanying cultural feature-both past and present ) that promotes conservation, has low negative visitor impact, and provides for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local populations " by IUCN-The World Conservation Union 

Save the Nature with Pleasure

The World Tourism Organization ( WTO ) has noted that much has been written about ecotourism, but there is little consensus about its meaning, due to many forms in which ecotourism activities are offered by a wide variety of operators, an practiced by an even larger array of tourist.

Despite the lack of a consensus ecotourism can be summarized as follows from : 

• It is set in natural ares
• It minimizes negative impact upon the natural environment
• It support the the protection of natural areas
• It directly benefit local communities
• It respect local cultures and values
• It increases the awareness to award environment and nature conservation