Ecotourism. A doorway to economic opportunity in remote communities? An innovative tool to promote the conservation of wild areas? A threat of overdevelopment to natural lands?

Whatever its perceived impact, ecotourism is one of the fastest growing pieces of the travel business. How it is managed is critical to preserving the resources that make it so rewarding.

Kirk Hoessle is involved in both building an ecotourism business, Alaska Wildland Adventures, and an association that promotes conservation of wilderness resources, the Alaska Wilderness Recreation and Tourism Association. Kirk has laid out seven principles that illuminate the balance that must be achieved for ecotourism to reach its potential - for travelers, indigenous peoples, local businesses, and the community. We hope you will consider these guidelines when you choose your next eco-adventure, whether in the remote Arctic tundra or the Amazonian jungle!

	Ecotourism trips have a primary focus on visiting remote and relatively unaltered natural environments (as opposed to resort-oriented destinations). Eco-travel maintains a low impact on the natural environment, where tour use is sustainable over time without altering the resource or negatively affecting the experience. Travelers bring an educational emphasis and purposeful desire to learn about the natural and cultural history of the places they visit. Eco-tours provide direct benefit to the local economy and local inhabitants, thereby providing an incentive for local support and preservation of wild areas and wildlife habitat. Eco-travel provides economic growth while protecting the natural environment - any development must willingly subject to limitations. Trip operators help fund the cost of policing their own activities through a formula to contribute to local non-profit efforts for environmental protection. Eco-travel should be in the spirit of appreciation, participation, and sensitivity. At some point, a tour group becomes too large to be considered"ecotourism."

Special thanks to Kirk Hoessle, president of Alaska Wildland Adventures and former president of the board of the Alaska Wilderness Recreation and Tourism Association.

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