The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) defines ecotourism as: "Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.
Al Haremi explained that Christ serves as the chairman of the World Travel and Tourism Council's Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, which recognizes leading examples from around the world of environmentally and socially responsible travel, also a founding member and former chairman of the board of The International Ecotourism Society.
When planning your vacation, says Martha Honey of The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), consider that ecotourism minimizes impact, provides direct financial benefits for conservation and for local people, respects local culture, is sensitive to the host country's political environment and social climate, and supports human rights and international labor agreements.
And Kutay, who's well known in ecotourism circles, is on the advisory board of the Seattle-based Adventure Travel Trade Association and has served on the board of The International Ecotourism Society, headquartered in Washington, D.
The International Ecotourism Society states that a true ecotourism venture must do the following: * Minimize impact * Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect * Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts * Provide direct financial benefits for conservation * Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people * Raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climate * Support international human rights and labor agreements ECOTOURISM IN ACTION ON ATOURA ISLAND On beautiful Atoura Island in East Timor, tourists can stay in a specially built ecovillage called Tua Koin.
