Ecotourism in Galveston Bay - An economic opportunity

Ecotourism is tourism that is based upon the natural rather than the synthetic attractions of a locality. Ecotourism is the tourist industry's most rapidly expanding sector (Alpine, 1986; Groom et al., 1991). A number of states and local communities in the United States have come to recognize ecotourism as a significant facet of their economic strategy. For example, in several western states it has become the largest private employer (Vickerman 1988).