How the community is defined will depend on the social and institutional
structures in the area concerned, but the definition implies some kind of
collective responsibility and approval by representative bodies. In many places,
particularly those inhabited by indigenous peoples, there are collective rights
over lands and resources. Community-based ecotourism should therefore
foster sustainable use and collective responsibility. However, it must also embrace
individual initiatives within the community. (These issues are covered
further under Guideline 4.)
Some further general characteristics of ecotourism have been identified by
UNEP and the World Tourism Organisation as:
• involving appreciation not only of nature, but also of indigenous cultures
prevailing in natural areas, as part of the visitor experience;
• containing education and interpretation as part of the tourist offer;
• generally, but not exclusively, organised for small groups by small, specialised
and locally owned businesses (while recognising that foreign operators
also market and operate ecotourism);
• minimising negative impacts on the natural and socio-cultural environment;
• supporting the protection of natural areas by generating economic benefits
for the managers of natural areas;
• providing alternative income and employment for local communities; and
• increasing local and visitor awareness of conservation