University of Aarhus ECOTOURISM AS A WAY TO PROTECT ...

Ecotourism as a sustainable way to protect nature
2.2.3. Other definitions
To complete the overview of the main ideas and definitions of the term
ecotourism, there are some other definitions, which were found in the literature:
• WWF (The Worldwide Fund for Nature):
"Any travel to or through wilderness areas that has minimal impact on the
natural environment and its wildlife while providing some economic benefits to
local communities and the area's indigenous stewards"
• Kutay, in Honey 1999:
"Ecotourism is more than travel to enjoy or appreciate nature, it also
includes minimisation of environmental and cultural consequences, contribution
to conservation and community projects in developing countries, and
environmental education and political consciousness raising, such as the
establishment of codes of conduct for travellers as well as the various
components of the travel industry".
• Moulin, 1991 :
"Tourism that is environmentally sensitive".
• Burton, 1997:
"Ecotourism is when the environment benefits from the activity"
(Source: Roe, 1997)
However, the definition from TES and more recently presented concepts
from UNEP and WTO are the most commonly used. We suppose that the
ecotourism concept made by UNEP is the most comprehensive and we follow it
in our project. Despite the next short chapter brings our opinion about the
concept of ecotourism.
15