The term ecotourism was first coined in 1965 by academic and adventurer Dr Nicolas Hetzer of Forum International, Berkeley, California. He organized the first eco tours in Mexico in the 1970s, launching a movement that reframes tourism as a potential tool for conservation. Over recent years, ecotourism has become increasingly popular as people have begun to search for an alternative to traditional mass tourism-4 star hotels, sightseeing and sitting on beaches—and become more aware of the need to protect the environment. So what are the main principles behind this type of tourism? Well, first, as I have already said, it's about conservation. It's about the need to minimize the impact that travellers have on the local environment. This could mean anything from encouraging the use of local forms of public transport to the careful disposal of all rubbish in designated places. Secondly, it's about education and cultivating respect. Eco tourists learn about the geography of the area and the culture and traditions of local people. They get involved in local projects, rather than just watching from a distance. Thirdly, it's a question of economics. Tours should be of financial benefit to local communities and foster the sustainable growth of local businesses. Eco tour companies usually give direct financial aid to environmental-conservation projects, reinvesting profits in the local areas visited on their tours.