A critical economic sector for many countries around the world, tourism also has its share of drawbacks. One negative is that tourism is often a major source of pollution due to the transportation of tourists, construction of resorts, recreational activities and the waste generated by visitors. Tourism can also damage ecosystems by disrupting populations of both plants and animals, and it can create a cycle of dependency among the poor. Fortunately, responsible tourism is gaining ground – tourism that responds to the needs of both the people and the environment, tourism that benefits both visitors and their hosts.