Abstract:
Environmentally responsible travel to natural areas, in order to enjoy and
appreciate nature (and accompanying cultural features, both past and present)
that promote conservation, have a low visitor impact and provide for beneficially
active socio-economic involvement of local peoples
Most tourism in natural areas today is not ecotourism and is not, therefore,
sustainable. Ecotourism is distinguished by its emphasis on conservation,
education, traveller responsibility and active community participation. Specifically,
ecotourism possesses the following characteristics:
• Conscientious, low-impact visitor behaviour
• Sensitivity towards, and appreciation of, local cultures and biodiversity
• Support for local conservation efforts
• Sustainable benefits to local communities
• Local participation in decision-making
• Educational components for both the traveller and local communities
Ecotourism can provide a viable economic development alternative for local
communities with few other income-generating options. Moreover, ecotourism
can increase the level of education and activism among travellers, making them
more enthusiastic and effective agents of conservation.
The industry of hospitality has been ever growing. To amalgamate eco-tourism
with hospitality is to create a stress free yet, intimate and explicit natural
environment with rawness yet, the elegance of nature. The connection of the
human mind with nature since ages has been art.
