According to the International Ecotourism Society, ecotourism is travel that fosters environmental responsibility and local well-being. Visiting a rainforest doesn't qualify unless it benefits the area, perhaps by creating jobs for locals or conserving the wildlife. The recognition is growing that environmental preservation and economic gain can coexist.

Costa Rica has been leading the ecotourism movement for some time, and was voted the most popular destination by TripAdvisor.com in 2012. Its 1999 Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST) program, adopted by the UN World Tourism Organization as a model for Latin America, highlights its pioneering efforts. Thanks to such efforts, over 25 percent of Costa Rica's land is covered in lush national parks. Its tourism industry generates over a billion dollars annually and provides employment for thousands.

Unfortunately, the "ecotourism" label is sometimes misused for profit. Unethical practices can harm the environment. One concern is that the overwhelming number of visitors, especially during peak season, negatively impacts the ecosystem. Ecotourists, drawn to rare flora and fauna, can inadvertently strain these fragile environments, even with good intentions. Another problem is human-animal interaction. At Costa Rican national parks, wild monkeys feed on visitors' garbage and even aggressively steal food.

Controlling abuse isn't easy, either. In developing countries with low wages, corruption can lead officials to tolerate ecological damage. A large resort, normally prohibited near a sanctuary, might be allowed if the company bribes government officials. Limited resources are another issue - areas of forests and beaches requiring an army to protect are often watched by few employees.

(I) While tourists can adversely affect ecosystems, the same areas might have been totally destroyed by industries like farming, logging, or mining. (II) Tour guides can become educators who train people to love and care for the environment. (III) Witnessing the beauty of rainforests and rare wildlife at first hand can instill a sense of value that visitors hopefully carry home. (IV)

It is easy to be critical of the ecotourism industry. Nevertheless, recognizing the impossibility of zero impact and the inherent human desire to explore, we must focus on intensifying protection efforts to ensure undisturbed ecosystems, while potentially stressed, won't be destroyed.

(Adapted from Active Skills for Reading 3)