Ecotourism...the fastest growing segment of the travel industry,  is a subset of adventure travel but with education, sustainable development, respect for fragile environments, and people with whom the traveler is interacting at the core.

The main difference is that the traveler, tour operator and all others are responsible, respectful, reasonable, and rational. The 4 R's. Elemental, but very difficult to attain. There are many issues to overcome and this where the 4 R's enter. It is not only the tourist that must follow these principles but the people at the end destination and the middle man, the tour operators.

Responsible-Are you a responsible traveler who doesn't leave anything behind except your valuable currency and wonderful memories? Do you chose ethical tour operators who ensure that most of your money stays within the areas that you visit?

Respectful-Do you respect the culture in which you are? Do you understand that not every society operates like your home town? Did you research the area that you are visiting? Weather, people, economics, environment, fragile systems that can no longer be visited?

Reasonable-Are your expectations greater than what can be delivered? Do you expect haute cuisine in the middle of the Rainforest or the arctic? Do you bluster when someone says "No, we can't go there today because...(fill in the blank)"? Are up considering operating eco tours and just jumping on the bandwagon or do you really have something to offer or preserve?

Rational-Do you have a rational plan that fits into the ethics of Ecotourism? Are you an outfitter that can deliver promises to tourists and help the people who live in the area that you are visiting? Can you understand the dilemmas that different cultures face in their day to day survival?