Ecotourism contribution to sustainable development of rural communities

Abstract

Ecotourism has emerged as a form of tourism along with people's need to withdraw in nature and natural areas , to visit and know who enjoy or not a national or international protection status. In broad terms we can say that ecotourism means traveling most often in developing countries to relatively undisturbed natural areas for study, leisure or voluntary assistance (volunteer) who considers himself flora, fauna, geological forms and ecosystems from area and the people who live nearby, their needs, culture and their relationship with the earth. Along with the development of ecotourism worldwide recognition came and benefits of this form of tourism as a mechanism for optimal utilization of tourism resources and landscape. Ecotourism is a form of sustainable tourism, the main motivation of the tourists is the observation and appreciation of nature and local traditions related to nature, must fulfill the following conditions: conservation and nature protection, use of local human resources, character education, respect for nature, awareness of tourists and local communities minimum negative impact on the natural and socio-cultural environment. In the present context the contribution of ecotourism will be especially economical with great social and economic effects. Ecotourism paradigms - new existential philosophy of local communities and tourists arrived in these areas will be the starting point for generating new approaches to these activities, both in terms of economic development, and sustainable development. Deciphering them will help develop models of existence, to change the mentality and building foundations for the upward evolution of rural communities.