Ecotourism promotes traveling to destinations that support sustainability and protecting the environment. It aims to not only help the environment but also in socio-economically supporting local communities. It emphasizes on educating the traveler on conservation efforts and supporting local communities.

Not all tourism in natural areas are ecotourism. Ecotourism emphasizes on conservation and community conservation. It also possesses the following characteristics:

• Environmental protection
• Protection of biodiversity
• Support local customs
• Support local communities
• Educate both communities and traveller

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Other Sources

BBC. “Ecotourism.” BBC. Accessed June 8, 2016. http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/tourism/ecotourism_rev1.shtml.

The Nature Conservancy. “What does Ecotourism mean, and why should you care?” The Nature Conservancy. Accessed June 8, 2016. http://www.nature.org/greenliving/what-is-ecotourism.xml.