ecotourism

American  

[ek-oh-toor-iz-uhm, ee-koh‑] / ˌɛk oʊˈtʊər ɪz əm, ˌi koʊ‑ /

noun

1. tourism to places having unspoiled natural resources, with minimal impact on the environment being a primary concern.

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ecotourism British  

/ ˈiːkəʊˌtʊərɪzəm /

noun

1. tourism that is designed to contribute to the protection of the environment or at least minimize damage to it, often involving travel to areas of natural interest in developing countries or participation in environmental projects

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Other Word Forms

• ecotourist noun

Etymology

Origin of ecotourism

1985–90; eco- + tourism

Example Sentences

An ideal future for Morakinyo would be to develop ecotourism -- sorely lacking in Nigeria, despite its rich wildlife -- and possibly generate funds from carbon credits.

From Barron's

The Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary has defied the threat of habitat loss and civil war to become the country's leading ecotourism destination and a model for environmental conservation across west Africa.

From Barron's

The Costa Rica economy relies heavily on ecotourism.

From Science Daily

Nestled along the Beagle Channel with snow-capped mountains behind it, Ushuaia grew into a significant port city of 80,000 and a hub for ecotourism.

From Los Angeles Times

While some worry tourism would “commercialize” the forests, others like Nanji believe that ecotourism could be beneficial if done right.

From Seattle Times