Environmentally responsible travel and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature (and any accompanying cultural features — both past and present) that promotes conservation, has low visitor impact, and provides for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local populations. (Source: IUCN Ecotourism Programme, 1992)

Contributes actively to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage, and includes local and indigenous communities in its planning, development and operation, contributing to their well-being, and interprets the natural and cultural heritage of the destination to visitor (Source: UNEP)