Can tourism have a positive impact on people’s lives and on the planet? More and more, environmental and humanitarian projects are learning how to harness tourism dollars to make a difference. Dignified livelihoods are being created in the field of tourism. In some places, ecosystems are better protected and researched, with tourism to thank.

This progress represents an alternative market that struggles with labeling itself coherently. For the mindful eater, alternative food products can call themselves ‘organic’ and ‘local.’ For the concerned consumer of goods like coffee and clothing, there’s ‘fair trade.’ Within travel, a perplexing multiplicity of labels get used and misused.

Here are some of the most common: ecotourism, green tourism, sustainable tourism, community-based tourism, pro-poor tourism, voluntourism, slow travel and local travel.

For definitions of the above, continue reading this article on Cynthia Ord’s blog