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What is Ecotourism?

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The definitions of ecotourism (source: "Ecotourisme, expériences françaises", AFIT).
The concept appeared around 1985 among North American conservation NGOs with a view to alerting public opinion about the impact of nature holidays on the natural areas visited. The cultural dimension was added very quickly.

Among the abundant reference texts, the most frequently cited definition is that of The International Ecotourism Society (TIES).

"Ecotourism is a form of responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people."

The World Tourism Organisation and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have recently adopted a slightly more detailed common description, which differentiates between nature tourism and ecotourism: 

- Nature tourism: "A form of tourism in which the main motivation is the observation and appreciation of nature and traditional cultures" 

- Ecotourism: Ecotourism is based on nature tourism. In addition to the appreciation and observation of nature, it involves the tour operator and its customers having a certain degree of responsibility towards the visited destination, a respect for the local cultures and sites, a commitment, a personal involvement, maximising the local financial impact and contributing to the conservation and sustainable development of the visited region.

Ecotourism: a product and a destination

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Components of ecotourism

It comprises educational aspects and an interpretation of nature. 
It is generally organised for small groups but not necessarily by small locally owned businesses.

Foreign operators of varying sizes also organise, operate and/or market ecotourism tours, generally for small groups. 
It minimises negative impacts on the natural and socio-cultural environment. 
It supports the protection of natural areas by: 
 - generating economic benefits for host communities, organisations and authorities that are responsible for conserving natural areas, 
 - creating jobs and alternative income opportunities for local communities, 
- increasing awareness both among locals and tourists of the need to conserve natural and cultural assets.

Ecotourism and sustainable tourism

The Rio summit in 1992 gave birth to the concept of sustainable tourism. This concept does not refer to specific contents, but rather to a way of a producing tourist activities and services according to four main elements: ethics, the environment, society and economics. Sustainable tourism can therefore classify all fields of the tourist industry, from city tourism to seaside or business tourism.

Ecotourism should be part of a sustainable tourism approach.

Ecotourism is a concept that relates to products, often created by tour operators, which benefit from a marketing strategy.

Sustainable tourism refers to a territorial strategy, such as Local Agenda 21.