ECO-TOURISM: ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT

Author’s Name : Dr Mercy Anandaraj

Volume 02 Issue 01  ISSN No:  2349-7289  Page no: 1-3

Abstract – Tourism all over the world is now a well accepted phenomenon. Eco-tourism is considered as the fastest growing market in the tourism industry. It focuses on local cultures, wilderness adventures volunteering, personal growth and learning new ways to live in the vulnerable planet. Eco-tourism is low impact nature tourism which contributes to the  maintenance  of  species  and  habitats  either  directly  through  a  contribution to conservation or  indirectly by  providing revenue to  the local community sufficiently, for local people to value and therefore protect, their wildlife heritage area as a source of income. Eco-tourism appeals to ecologically and socially conscious individuals. One of the goals of eco-tourism is to offer tourists insight into the impact of human beings on the environment and to foster a greater appreciation of natural habitats.

Keywords –Eco-tourism-nature conservation-economic opportunities for local communities-preservation of culture