Introduction
Beautiful wild areas are
becoming rarer due to the impact of humans.
Growing towns, logging, mining, fishing, ranching and energy needs are
increasingly taking over those lands that were once untouched by man. Today, economic decisions frequently
influence how land is being used. Many people
don’t value land unless there is some economic value attached to it. Ecotourism is a concept that can create a
balance between these economic and ecological needs.
What is ecotourism? In its best sense, ecotourism promotes travel
to natural areas so people can understand the culture and history of the
environment while not changing the balance of the ecosystem. Ecotourism produces economic opportunities
that make conservation of the area’s resources beneficial to the local
people. The goals are conservation,
economics, and education. Sustainable
and well-balanced ecotourism allows tourists to visit an area without
destroying its future appeal.