ABSTRACT

As an extension or outgrowth of alternative tourism (AT), ecotourism has grown as a consequence of the dissatisfaction with conventional forms of tourism which have, in a general sense, ignored social and ecological elements of destinations in favour of more anthropocentric and profit-centred approaches to the delivery of tourism products. This chapter presents an in-depth analysis of ecotourism from the perspective of history, definition and linkages to other related forms of tourism, such as nature-based tourism, adventure tourism, cultural tourism and mass tourism. A brief discussion of tourism typologies and profiles is offered as a means by which to understand better the differences that exist between ecotourists and other types of travellers.