Ecotourism is tourism which is conducted responsibly to conserve the environment and sustain the well-being of local people. Its benefits include: Building environmental awareness. Providing direct financial benefits for conservation. Providing financial benefits and empowerment for local people. Ecotourism Official Definition According to The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), ecotourism can be defined as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserve the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education”. The country undoubtedly most associated with ecotourism, Costa Rica has made a name for itself as a travel destination because of its well-protected natural beauty. ... In addition to the rainforests, there are breathtaking volcanoes and pristine beaches, both of which add to the stunning biodiversity in the country. Ecotourism focuses on unadulterated, pristine natural environments; It minimizes the impact if tourism on the environment; It boosts employment and financial opportunities for local people; It encourages conservation by providing financial benefits in its favour. Ecotourism Certification Criteria 1. Sustainable management systems. 2. Customer satisfaction policies. 3. Local design and construction requirements. 4. Quality interpretation of natural surroundings and local culture. 5. Community development and fair trade policies. 6. Local employment practices. The Most Expensive Vacation Destinations • Dubai. • Seychelles. • Bora Bora. • Tuscany. • British Virgin Islands. • Fiji. • Paris. Much like New York, Paris, France, has become a popular destination for many travelers. • New York City. New York, New York is unsurprisingly one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world Types of Ecotourism • Mass Tourism. • Alternative Tourism. Mass Tourism Mass tourism refers to the movement of a large number of organized tourists to popular holiday destinations for recreational purposes. Alternative Tourism Alternative tourism combines tourist products or individual tourist services, different from mass tourism by means of supply, organization and the human resources involved. Other examples of different terms include "intelligent" or "motivated tourism. What are benefits of ecotourism? Ecotourism helps protect natural habitats and pristine environments. The wealth of poorer countries is often tied up in natural resources like forests, minerals and land that could be used for agriculture. Exploiting these resources often means altering or destroying wildlife habitats and beautiful natural landscapes. List of Cons of Ecotourism • It risks spoiling a region's ecosystem. Too many people will be allowed to explore a particular ecosystem and might disturb the organisms that are living there. ... • It can ruin natural habitats. • It can lead to conflicts within the tourism sector. Negative impact of ecotourism on the environment Natural resources are destroyed to make souvenirs . Rare species are hunted down to use as tourist attractions . Destruction of natural features, eg overused tracks lead to soil erosion and damage to vegetation. There is a real danger of some areas becoming overused. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) defines ecotourism as, “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 Find out how to make the least possible impact on sensitive places such as reefs or jungles. Help the local economy by buying gifts or souvenirs in small shops. Do not disturb the flora and fauna; especially in the case of protected species. Respect the traditions, culture and gastronomy of local people.