Paper short abstract:

Alentejo is a Portuguese region with a great tourism potential and natural patrimony, with beautiful scenes and great biodiversity. This paper will evaluate the current tourism practices in Alentejo in comparison with ecotourism definition.

Paper long abstract:

Ecotourism consists in the realization of a responsible trip to natural zones that preserves the environment and promotes the well-being of the local community. The Ecotourism minimizes its own impact in the environment, promotes a positive experience for guests and hosts. It promotes financial benefits for the environment preservation and protects the ecosystem as a legacy to next generations. In others words the practice of tourism with the ideal of environmental preservation, experience exchange and sustainability.

However, many times the definition of ecotourism is used without any relationship to its own meaning. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate the current tourism practices in Alentejo in comparison with ecotourism definition. To confirm if the current local practices are sustainable and if respect the patrimony and the local people and to contribute to the local cultural and financial development.

Alentejo has been chosen as a case study because its great tourism potential, and its rich natural patrimony. In spite of that the last past years the region is suffering with the migration of local citizens the urban centres.