Ecotourism is a form of tourism that is marketed as "responsible" travel to natural areas, conserving the environment, and improving the well-being of the local people. It is about uniting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel. Ecotourism encompasses nature-based activities that increase visitor appreciation and understanding of natural and cultural values. The following are the principles of ecotourism:

• Minimize physical, social, behavioral, and psychological impacts.
• Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.
• Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.
• Provide direct financial benefits for conservation.
• Generate financial benefits for both local people and private industry.
• Deliver memorable interpretative experiences to visitors that help raise sensitivity to host countries political, environmental, and social climates.

Ecotourism is important because it provides effective economic incentives for conserving and enhancing bio-cultural diversity and helps protect the natural and cultural heritage of our planet. It also supports the maintenance of natural areas which are used as ecotourism attractions by generating economic benefits for host communities, organizations, and authorities managing natural areas with conservation purposes, providing alternative employment and income opportunities for local communities, and increasing awareness towards the conservation of natural and cultural assets, both among locals and tourists.