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Ecotourism is one of the fastest growing segments of the
travel industry today. It is potentially an economic alternative
or complement to other land-use options, including logging,
and can represent an important source of foreign exchange.
As an, in principle, non-consumptive use of the forest, ecotourism
has the potential to guarantee minimal environmental impact
on forests through the application of environmentally friendly
technologies and environmentally sympathetic accommodation
for visitors. It could also guarantee that the income received
from such activities would directly benefit the local communities.
Moreover, the tourist appeal of a natural site (and hence
its income-generating potential) tends to be closely related
to its conservation level.
Tropical forests have proven to be attractive for ecotourism.
National parks and other protected areas are critical in tapping
this resource; the ecotourism potential of managed forests
in the tropics is generally less. Further information on ecotourism
is in the (SNV GUIDE Sustainable tourism)
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