To further confuse consumers, some travel organizations are adopting the term "geotourism" as an alternative to ecotourism, but they are really one in the same. Both stress environmental sensitivity as well as honoring the local cultures as part of the experience.

Per the Milwaukee Biz Times: "Ecotourism, as defined by the International Ecotourism Society, is the "responsible travel to natural areas that conserve the environment and improves the well-being of local people."

The Associated Press says some companies are calling trips that focus on cultural experiences as geotourism, but that a slightly different shade of the same thing. Whatever you call it, it is about experiencing something new while being relatively sustainable.

You can sleep in a comfortable room with a great view and eat well, but perhaps instead of going jet skiing you hike to an ancient ruin. The accommodations can be fabulous too, like at Morgan's Rock in Nicaragua, not the first place I'd think of as a tourist destination.

Ecotourism can be more personally enriching that the package tours that put you on a boat with dozens of other strangers doing the same thing that you could do off the coast of Florida or in the Bahamas. It's what you do that is unique more than where you stay, and you shouldn't feel guilty for being pampered if the hotel uses sustainable practices and respects the environment.