What is ecotourisme?

Ecotourism is a form of tourism involving travel to natural areas, in order to appreciate the scenery, plants and wildlife, including endangered species, or any ecosystem and habitat, whilst taking steps to minimise the negative impacts of human intervention.

An ecotourism venture can range from an independent, owner-operated guiding service, to a large travel agency specialising in package tours, or a government-operated programme for wildlife and habitat conservation and sustainable community development. Common to all ventures, however, is a commitment to responsible travel practices that recognise and respect the ecological fragility of many natural areas and the importance of benefiting the local peoples who live there.

Ecotourism typically involves travel to natural habitats, which may include rainforests, coral reefs, mountains and deserts, and can include activities such as wildlife viewing, hiking, camping, fishing and birdwatching. This type of tourism is often promoted as a way to provide economic benefits to local communities and promote conservation of the natural environment.