Ecotourism means more than just spending time in and appreciating an ecosystem. For example, if you took a romp through the Amazon Rainforest it would be a great vacation, but would not necessarily be considered ecotourism. That's because ecotourism requires active tourists who make it a goal conserve natural environments and improve the overall well being of an ecosystem's flora, fauna and people. You can take a swim in the Atlantic Ocean but don't call it ecotourism unless you're actively making a difference while doing so.
Because ecotourists make it a goal to preserve, appreciate and make a difference, self-education is vital to the success of an ecotourism trip. It requires educational background reading before a vacation and continued education throughout the trip. By understanding the culture and nature around them, ecotourists are better equipped to accomplish their goals. In addition, ecotourism also includes educating others around them (either at their tourist destination) and those back at home once the trip is over.
Any ecotourist tries her very hardest to make the least amount of negative impact on the environment around her. That means she conserves her energy, reuses materials and avoids organizations and facilities that aren't eco-friendly. Because ecotourism is becoming more popular, things like eco-lodges (low impact hotels) are popping up on a regular basis. Many ecotourists also avoid hotel stays completely and stay at the home of eco-sensitive families who live in or around the tour destination.
While ecotourism is mostly an active form of tourism, in a way it also requires travelers to be inactive. Or, put another way, simply appreciative of the world around them. Ecotourists observe the ecosystem in front of them and appreciate the biodiversity and cultural differences. In addition, they try to preserve those differences so that other people can experience them as well.
Ecotourism requires travelers to be responsible. They are not only responsible for themselves, but also responsible for locals and other tourist who may be around them. Responsible travel is somewhat similar to educational travel, but is much more active. In other words, the educational aspect of ecotourism may teach others about how they can better serve their world, but the responsible aspect of ecotourism ensures that what they teach is actually done. That includes the promotion of water and energy conservation and recycling tactics.
