Ecotourism is a sub-component of the field of sustainable tourism. In 2002, the Cape Town Declaration on Responsible Tourism stated that … A good starting point to delve deeper into what ecotourism really is and its importance, is the very own definition given by the International Ecotourism Society (TIES): " Responsible travel to natural areas … Equally important is that within in all this concern for sustainability and empowerment, we don't forget the tourism aspect of ecotourism. Ecotourism’s perceived potential as an effective tool for sustainable development is the main reason why developing countries are now embracing it and including it in their economic development and conservation strategies. Ecotourism is an important educational component, it is a chance to learn respect for nature, for the local culture, and for some it is a chance to self-reflection being inspired by the beauty … Why is it important… Even though ecotourism … Ecotourism… Ecotourism itself is meant to be a sustainable form of natural resource-based tourism. What is ecotourism? The International Ecotourism Society now defines ecotourism as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education". Role of Ecotourism in Sustainable Development 775 opportunities for the local people (Farrell & Runyan 2001; Bhattacharya, Chowdhury and Sarkar, 2011). As ecotourism in an area grows, the local government often recognizes the economic boom and seeks to maintain it. Expansion of ecotourism … Government Funding. This indicates that small-scale nature-based tourism is an important employment opportunity for the Osa and that, unlike many other tourism destinations, tourism is not built significantly on imported labor.