Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct option to each of the questions that follow. The word ecotourism is a combination of ecology and tourism. The International Ecotourism Society defines ecotourism as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of the local people." This means that walking through a rain forest isn't really ecotourism unless it benefits the area, ...

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct option to each of the questions that follow.

The word ecotourism is a combination of ecology and tourism. The International Ecotourism Society defines ecotourism as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of the local people." This means that walking through a rain forest isn't really ecotourism unless it benefits the area, perhaps by providing jobs to the local residents or by conserving the wildlife. Countries are slowly recognising that it is possible to make money while preserving their natural resources.

Unfortunately, people in the industry sometimes exploit the "ecotourism" label in their drive for profit. This brand of ecotourism isn't always conducted in the most responsible way, and may damage the environment it seeks to protect. One concern is that the overwhelming number of visitors to these natural places (especially in the high season) has a negative effect on the ecosystem. Ecotourists tend to seek out places with the rarest animals and plants; even if they take care not to disturb the environment, their presence could put pressure on the frailest of living things. Another problem is the interaction between animals and humans. At one national park in Costa Rica, wild monkeys feed on garbage left by the visitors and even aggressively steal food from tourists.

While tourists can have a negative impact on ecosystems, the same areas might have been totally destroyed by industries such as farming, logging, or mining if the ecotourism industry did not exist. Tour guides can also be educators who train people to love and care for the environment. By visiting these beautiful rain forests and seeing rare animals, visitors get a sense of their value and will hopefully take these lessons back with them to their home countries.

(Source: Active skills for reading)

What is the primary definition of ecotourism according to the International Ecotourism Society?