Everywhere you go, it's "green" this and "green" that. But what exactly is ecotourism?

According to the Centre for Ecotourism, Hector Ceballos-Lascurain created the term ecotourism in 1983. The original term described "nature-based travel to relatively undisturbed areas with an emphasis on education."

To simplify the term, Eco-resorts defines ecotourism as:

-environment and
-culture
-orientated travel

In general, ecotourism is an insightful, mindful and participatory travel experience to natural and cultural environments, assisting the well-being of the local cultures and environments for future generations. At the same time ecotourism produces viable economic opportunities for the host areas.

Originally, ecotourism was defined as purely nature based, forgetting the impact tourism had on the local villages and culture. However, it quickly became apparent that trying to create a new type of tourism, which only focused on wildlife and the environment, while excluding the local villages, simply did not work.

Those countries that involved the local communities in the ecotourism decision-making process had a much higher success rate in implementing profitable ecotourism. Consequently, most recent definitions of ecotourism now include a more synergistic approach, including the tourist, local villages and environment.

Now that we understand what ecotourism is, let's look at how to implement ecotourism, including:

1. How to choose an eco-tour
2. How to choose an ecolodge
3. How to choose an eco-destination

For more information on ecotourism, visit our archives to read some of Eco-resorts' articles and ezines. The International Ecotourism Society's website at www.ecotourism.org has more information on various international
eco-destinations, ecolodges and eco-tours.