Ecotourism (also known as ecological tourism) is a form of tourism that appeals to ecologically and socially conscious individuals. Generally speaking, ecotourism focuses on volunteering, personal growth and learning new ways to live on the planet. It typically involves travel to destinations where flora, fauna and cultural heritage are the primary attractions. Ecotourism is a conceptual experience enriching those who delve into researching and understanding the environment around them. It can lead to insight about human impacts on the environment and to a greater appreciation of all natural habitats. It has the potential to ensure that visitors travel responsibly, help protect wildlife, and contribute to the well being of local communities. At its best, ecotourism can minimize the negative aspects of conventional tourism on the environment and enhance the cultural integrity of local people.

Unfortunately some projects labeled as ecotourism fail to live up to these objectives. The term is sometimes used by tour operators as a marketing tool to promote tourism that is related to nature, but which has little positive impact (and in some cases a very negative impact) on the host communities.Read more about the potential negative impact of some ecotourism.

CEN believes that in order to alleviate many of these negative effect, host communities must be empowered to manage tourism in their communities. Tourism that meets this criteria is community-based tourism. Not all ecotourism is community-based tourism.

Other Resources

What is Community-based tourism?
CEN’s Community Based-Tourism Program