Travel insurance - Ecotourism

Ecotourism – A brief Introduction

As the number of tourists increase with every passing year, it is important for the tourism industry to ensure that this growth is sustainable and not harmful to the environment. In this context, there is increased awareness for the need for Ecotourism. In brief, Ecotourism refers to tourism which has a low environments impact, tourism which is educational, while being ecologically and culturally sensitive and also beneficial to local communities and host countries which attracts the tourists. Ecotourism attempts to immerse travellers in natural eco-systems for example in the rainforest or on a coastal wetland, with the aim of educating and imparting environmental awareness to the tourist. It brings together sustainability and conservation with local communities. Ecotourism is defined by The International Ecotourism Society, as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of the local people.”