1. Read the short text, look at the highlighted words and decide what they mean

What is ecotourism?

Ecotourism is a form of environmentally friendly or sustainable tourism that implies balance between recreation and nature conservation. It involves travelling to remote places where nature has remained untouched by human activity, for instance, national parks, nature reserves, conservation areas, etc., and supporting delicate ecosystem. Ecotravellers are interested in observing the animal world closely but without interfering with it, protecting the environment and biodiversity, as well as exploring ethnic cultures and authentic socio-cultural characteristics of the places they visit.

People promoting eco-friendly tourism tend to avoid flying, as this could be the biggest contribution to their carbon footprint. Instead, they choose more environmentally friendly means of transport that do not emit so much CO2 (carbon dioxide ), such as trains, electric cars, etc. Many tourists travel on foot, others cycle. Some of them prefer to take tents, while others rent a room in a hotel or choose a homestay option, which can help them interact with the locals and thus get involved in their culture.

2. Study the definitions and fill in the gaps with the correct words

• carbon dioxide
• untouched (by something)
• recreation
• homestay
• ecotourism
• ecosystem
• carbon footprint
• eco-friendly
• authentic
• sustainable

1. [ ] — organized holidays that are designed so that the tourists damage the environment as little as possible, especially when some of the money they pay is used to protect the local environment and animals
2. [ ] — (a way of) enjoying yourself when you are not working
3. [ ] — a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide that is produced by the activities of a person or company
4. [ ] — not affected by something, especially something bad or unpleasant; not damaged
5. [ ] — an arrangement that provides accommodation for students or tourists in the home of a family in exchange for payment
6. [ ] — done or made in the traditional or original way
7. [ ] — (CO2) the gas formed when carbon is burned, or when people or animals breathe out
8. [ ] — all the plants and living creatures in a particular area considered in relation to their physical environment
9. [ ] — environmentally-friendly; not harmful to the environment
10. [ ] — involving the use of natural products and energy in a way that does not harm the environment