The General Ecotourism Network (GEN) defines  ecotourism as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the  environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and creates  knowledge and understanding through interpretation and education of  all involved.

The purpose of ecotourism is to educate the traveler, to  provide funds for ecological conservation, to directly benefit the economic  development and political empowerment of local communities, or to foster  respect for different cultures and for human rights.

Ecotourism respects local culture.

Ecotourism operations occasionally succeed to live up to  conservation ideals.

The decisions of the board would be sanctioned by non governments, so that non-compliant companies would be legally required  to disassociate themselves from the use of the ecotourism brand.

Ecotourism in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems  can benefit conservation, provided the complexities of history, culture,  and ecology in the affected regions are successfully navigated.

Environmental impact assessments could not be used  as a form of accreditation.

One of the benefit of ecotourism is sharing of all socio economic benefits with international communities and indigenous  peoples by having their informed consent and participation in the  management of ecotourism enterprises.

Ecotourism activities are, in and of themselves, issues in  environmental impact because they may disturb fauna and flora.

Natural resource management can be utilized as a  specialized tool for the development of ecotourism.

The industrialization, urbanization and agricultural practices of human society are having a better impact on the environment.

The establishment of parks can create harsh survival  realities and deprive the people of their traditional use of land and  natural resources. 

Ecotourism often claims that it preserves and  "enhances" local cultures. 

Ecotourism means irresponsible travel to natural areas,  conserving the environment, and improving the well-being of the local  people.