What is ecotourism?

Ecotourism is a form of tourism, which includes the following:

•  All forms of natural tourism, where tourists' main motivation is observing nature and plunging into it, as well as plunging into traditional cultures that prevail on natural territories.
  
  
•  Educating and explaining components.
  
  
•  As a rule, programs on ecotourism are usually launched by minor local companies for small groups of tourists. Major and minor foreign tour operators organize ecological tours as well and are basically engaged in developing their marketing value of small groups.
  
  
•  Ecological tourism minimizes negative impact on natural, as well as on social and cultural spheres.
  

Ecotourism ensures development and support of environment protecting activity with the help of:

•  Ensuring financial benefits for receiving communities, organizations and authorities responsible for protecting natural territories;
  
  
•  Creating working places and possibilities to gain profit for local communities;
  
  
•  Upgrading the level of awareness of local people and tourists of the necessity to protect and preserve natural and cultural resources.