Ecotourism is "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people." (TIES, 1990)
The basic principles of Ecotourism include building cultural and environmental awareness and respect, lessening impact, providing direct financial benefits for conservation, providing financial benefits and empowerment for local people, elevating sensitivity to host political, environmental, and social climate of country and providing positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.
It is very important to understand the true meaning of eco-tourism and the same you can do by involving into eco-tourism activities. Green travel (eco-tourism) basically means travel keeping in mind protection of the culture and environment of visited place. You can achieve this by following many ways including simple to complex ones. You can start it from home before leaving for eco-tour. Before leaving you should:
1) For the time being interrupt your newspaper service or donate it to a local school
2) Unplug all electrical and electronics appliances as some appliances take power while they are switched-off.
3) Turn down the temperature of the thermostat and water heaters.
4) Turn off your water connection.
While you are traveling choose an ecolodge or eco-hotel. They use 100% solar power for their hotel. They use local organic products in their restaurants. You can re-use the plastic cups in hotel rooms to be a part of eco-tour. Before leaving the room, turn down the heater or A/C, lights and appliances etc.You should turn off the water when brushing teeth and take short showers o ruse bucket to bath. It will be really helpful to the environment to reduce the excessive use of personal transportation. Taking public transportation or walking (if possible) can diminish the emission of carbon-dioxide.
These basic and useful tips can make your trip really eco-friendly and thus you can say you were the part of eco-tourism.